WA to Host 2010 National Athletics Championships

Western Australian athletics fans will have the opportunity to see WAIS athletes taking on Australia’s best when the 88th Australian Athletics Championships and selection trials for the 2010 Commonwealth Games are hosted in Perth next year, for the first time in over two decades.

To be held from April 16-18 at the all-new Western Australia Athletics Centre in Mount Claremont, the national championships will double as selection trials for the 2010 Commonwealth Games to be staged in New Delhi, India, from October 3-14.

The Commonwealth Games has traditionally attracted the largest Australian track and field squad of all the major international meets, shoring up what will be a strong turnout at the compulsory selection trials.

Next year’s national championships will mark the first time the event has travelled to Perth since the selection trials for the Seoul Olympics in 1988.

Athletics Australia Chief Executive Officer Danny Corcoran said the new track and field facility was a major asset to Australian athletics.

“We are delighted to be returning to Perth for the national championships for the first time since 1988 and to be hosting the event at this outstanding new facility,” he said.

“The national championships are an important event on the Australian athletics calendar and in 2010 will serve as the selection trials for the Commonwealth Games, one of the greatest sporting events on the world stage.

“The new facility represents an exciting new phase in Australian athletics and is set to become home to many world-class performances in years to come.”

Western Australia Minister for Sport and Recreation Terry Waldron MLA, said the national championships were a key addition to Perth’s annual events calendar.

“Western Australia is thrilled that the 2010 Australian Athletics Championships will be held in Perth,” Waldron said.

“The state is opening the Western Australia Athletics Centre later this month and the national championships are a tremendous opportunity to showcase this wonderful new facility for athletes and spectators.

“The state looks forward to working with Athletics Western Australia and local athletes to deliver a world class event in the important lead-up to the 2010 Commonwealth Games.”

Chairman of Athletics Western Australia Stephen Stingemore said hosting the event at the all-new facility was a windfall for Perth sports fans.

“This is an exciting opportunity to showcase the new athletics stadium and the elite of Australia’s athletes to the Western Australian community,” he said.

“It wouldn’t be beyond our expectations to see a sell-out.”

Located at AK Reserve, the Western Australia Athletics Centre boasts a 2000-seat grandstand and total capacity of 10,000 people.