Illawarra Blue Stars

It doesn’t seem like a year ago we competed at Country Championships. This time Newcastle will host the championships, to be held on the Glendale Track.
Our team is a good, all round strong one, just on 70 plus members representing the club - an excellent result for an away meet.

Please make sure you pack all your needs including:

1. Uniform
2. Front and back numbers
3. Your timetable with the times you are competing highlighted.

Remember: You have to be at the track to sign in at least an hour before your heat, failure to do this will mean you are taken off the start list (make sure you give yourself plenty of time as there could be a line up and you may have to wait).

Tent: We will have a tent available on the hill as Newcastle can get very hot and we would like to see all our people together and cheering one another on. Bring a fold up seat, your esky, etc and make it a picnic athletic meet.

We will be asking all athletes to wear a black arm band if they wish, or we will be giving out a black ribbon to pin on your uniform in respect to “gran” Elvire Asprey, so please when the club captains come around - Carmen, James, Tara and Ben - be sure to take one and just pin it to your singlet/top.

It will be a great weekend and I am sure that Illawarra Blue Stars' athletes will do us Proud.

Relays: The teams will be selected and we will have copies of all teams at our tent and also with Valmai and club captains. We are asking all members to make sure they are available for teams so that we can show our united front, and above all, enjoy running and competing with your club mates.

Let's go Team Blue Stars. Good luck and above all, enjoy and perform well.

Cabin news for people staying at Paradise Palms

Please ensure that when you arrive at the Cabins in Toronto that you pay the balance of your cabin.

You can enter the cabins form 12 noon onwards on the Friday and if arriving after 7 pm, press the buzzer for Rhonda to let you in.

All cabins have to be respected and cleaned prior to leaving and any damage (and we know there won't be) will be the responsibility of the person in the cabin.

The pool is available for our use but at the same time it is to be used properly and in accordance with the site's safety policy.

The barbecue area is also available for use. We hope to get all the cabin people together on Saturday evening to have a barbecue. If you would prefer, you could venture down to the local club for a good meal.

Please make sure that you realise that other people are on the site and noise is to be kept to a minimum.

It's Country Championship Time Again

14.01.11

The NSW Country Titles held in Glendale Newcastle were held in the true spirit of sportsmanship and good competition. Blue Stars proved they are a strength to deal with at country level, but it was the form of all age athletes from all ages that shone out. Some up and coming young athletes have emerged and are insuring that Blue Stars have a depth to go on with as the years continue.

Congratulations to all who competed and for the wonderful support they gave to one another throughout the two day competition.

But it is the lead up that is so vital

As many of our athletes are now seeing. In particular the juniors who contested the NSW Youth Titles. The preparation and lead up from Country has kept them in great form and once again, the juniors have come out on top.

A grand display all round and now looking at members of the club qualifying for the all important Australian Titles to be held in March.

Country Titles gives great lead up

21.02.11

Illawarra Blue Stars Athletic Club had one of the best State Youth Titles for some time with some outstanding performances coming from the club's junior athletes. Competing in gusty winds, times and distances were not as important as the placings against the very best junior athletes in the State. Coming off a highly successful Country Titles the athletes were finely tuned for these titles.

Hurdler/Sprinter Abbie Taddeo had one of her best hurdles wins when she took out the U18 Women 10m hurdles and then made the final of both the straight 100 and 200m. Jumper Talissa Scott took out the Women U20 long jump and made the final of the 100m and was 4th in the 200m. Up and coming male athlete, Joshua Kentwell, shone for the men with a brilliant win in the Men U16 steeplechase in a PB and backed this up with PB’s in the 800m and 3km to take the bronze in both events - an all round display of middle distance talent.

Javelin throwers from the club stood proudly on the podium with Emily De Broit taking the silver and Claire Walsh the bronze in a hotly contested event in the U20 Women javelin, whilst U14 sprinter Avalon Punch was another to shine with a good 2nd in the U14 Women 200m. Newcomer to the club, Brodie Leeson, showed his fine form to take the bronze in the Men U18 200m and finished 4th in the 100m showing that this young man is a talent to move forward.

Others to make finals in the titles that produced some outstanding results were Ben Hollingsworth in the Men U20 400m and 200m, whilst Tara Bain and Rhiannon Drake also made the final of the Women U16 400m and Karlie Chambers the final of the Women U18 400m - good to see her back on track. Skye Ryan sprinted well in the Women U18 100m and 200m to make the finals of both events, whilst Keeleigh McCauley made the final of the Women U16 200m hurdles stepping up into a higher age bracket.

Disappointment has to come from any titles and Claire Burnett has the honours this year. Coming out of a sick bed, Burnett struggled in the 800m but deserves an award for making the trip.

Overall the performances were of a high standard and shows the club has the talent to move in the higher age brackets. The Open Men and Women will not contest their State titles until March, with the Masters a little later in April.

Blue Stars shine in State Junior Titles

U18 hurdler Abbie Taddeo has come so close to packing her bags for a well deserved trip to France. Abbie recorded the fastest club time of 13.77 for 100m hurdles to be only 2/100ths of the World Junior time of 13.75. The time will come as she prepares for the coming up National titles and a win there could see the pocket dynamite pack her bags. Let's hope so as she will join some of the club's leading junior athletes who have made the World Junior team and then gone onto bigger and better things in senior teams and her time was allowable under the wind assistance rules of only plus 1.9.

But poor James Grimm and Justin Miller are confronted on the same day, same venue and are given a time of 10.39 (James) and Justin (10.95) a wind reading of plus 5.1 for james and plus 3.5 for Justin. This is the first time that Jusitn has gone under the 11secs mark only to see it was wind assisted. Abbie also backed up for the 100m and recorded a good 12.28 to have a plus 3.3 wind - all disallowed. Let's hope conditions change a little for our athletes as they head to National titles.

What a Hurdles Time

21.02.11

What a disappointment that more Master's athletes did not give the Postal Relays a chance and come down to the “Park and have a go”. Conducted by the Australian Masters Association the relays are conducted at various locations and times and distances are recorded, legally signed off by qualified officials, and are then ranked against other States. A great idea and a great concept.

Like last year we put our Club's name down to host the 4 x 100m and 4 x 400m, but the Masters failed to turn up, except for two outsiders in Lynda Douglas from Nowra and Julie Forster from Sydney and their efforts were not in vain.

Members in State Record Breaking Team

22.02.11

News Archive 2010

Teaming with Annette Mead and Gianna Mogentale, the team will become the NSW State Record holders for the 45+ Women 4. 100m with a great display of relay running to record a good time of 52.8 to smash the previous record.

It goes to show that you have to be there and have a go, and our thanks go to the other Blue Stars Masters athletes, Cassie Gibbins, Carmen Bain, June Lowe and Athletics Wollongong Ros Perry who pushed the team along, whilst an Open Women's team of Abbie Taddeo, Claire Walsh, Tara Bain and Kaisha Edwards showed how it is done narrowly defeating the masters team in a well fought out race.

21.02.11

Congratulations Annette and Gianna

Another State record and our Club congratulate Lynda and Julie for their great effort and great sportsmanship in supporting the gong.

A record number of Illawarra Blue Stars Junior athletes will contest the National Titles to be held at Homebush over the next weekend. It is a credit to all athletes, their coaches and the supporters who have assisted these young athletes to make the grade into the top competition of the Australian Athletic season.

All States will take part and NSW Athletes will play an important role in the Championships with a very strong team on home ground.

To contest the age brackets of U20, U18 and U16, the club has athletes in all age brackets with many backing up from the Australian All Schools to athletes who will make their mark for the first time.

Two of the athletes will be aiming for selection in the Australian Youth Team U20, namely Talissa Scott in the long jump and Abbie Taddeo in the hurdles. Both are very close with Taddeo only 2/100ths off the qualifying mark. A good win or place in these titles for both girls could mean a place on the plane for France.

Middle distance athlete Josh Kentwell, recorded a blistering time for the 2km steeplechase and has also qualified for the Emerging Athletes Program and a place for this promising distance man would be a highlight of his very strong season. He will be supported by newcomer to the club, sprinter Brodie Leeson who makes his debut in the Australian, whilst the rest of the squad from the club is dominated by the very strong contingent of female athletes.

Heading the U20 with Abbie Taddeo and Talissa Scott will be javelin thrower Claire Walsh whilst training partner Emily Debrot will take part in the U18 event.

The female sprinters are a strong force with Karlie Chambers ,Skye Ryan, Abbie Taddeo, Riana Drake, Keeleigh McCauley and Avlon Punch heading the girls, whilst middle distance athlete Claire Burnett will take on the best in the land over the 800metres. Many of the athletes in the squad have been members of Blue Stars for a number of years and are now starting to show the benefits of the strong coaching and support they all get.

Record Number for Australian Youth Titles

02.03.11

Farewell Joachim (Joe)

02.03.11

The club farewelled Joachim (Joe) on the weekend when he thanked the club and headed back to Germany. This delightful young man came into our club courtesy of the scholarship that the club offered to a member of the Wollongong University which Joachim Peest was awarded. He has been great for the club and added his sprinting ability to our team to assist them to make history by winning the Country Titles.

But it wasn’t the winning that stood out with this young man.
It was his manners and the way he conducted himself and
worked in with all club members and became an instant Blue
Stars member as soon as he signed the papers.

We wish him well back in Germany and hope that he continues
his athletic career and that some of us may be able to catch up
with him again over the years.

The club will be offering another scholarship to a University
student, and let's hope the next person is as charming, mixes
in well and becomes another instant Blue Stars member.

Thanks Joe, we will all miss you.

Masters athletes of the club, Annette Mead and June Lowe, were the club's nominated masters to the Shellharbour Sportmans Awards held at the Shellharbour Workers Club and June Lowe came home with the much deserved Masters Award, judged on calendar year of January 2010 to December 2010. June's performances in the Pan Pacific earnt her the award over her club mate, as both had a good season. June has showed the good all-round ability from throws to sprints, and it was this ability that brought her over the line.

Both ladies were supported by their families along with fellow masters club mates Gianna Mogentale, Julie Steele, John Van Stappen and official Valmai Loomes, who attended a very well supported dinner.

This Awards dinner is supported by the Shellharbour Sportsman's Assistance, a fund that has being going for many years and one that IBS will continue to be a member of to support the strong contingent of athletes that we have from the Shellharbour local area. Many people have asked who is catered from this fund, so here are a few answers for all our members:

a. Must be a resident of the Shellharbour Council.
b. The club must be affiliated to the fund - that is we, IBS pay an annual fee.
c. You can be any age to be nominated for these awards as they have many categories       including:

     i.    Junior person of the year.
     ii.   Athlete of the Year - any age - Open
     iii. Masters Sportsperson of the year.
     iv. Team/Group of the year.
     v. Trainer/coaches/managers of the year.

Is it possibly one of the best assistance funds run by any
Council and we will continue to support it.

Congratulations June and Annette for being nominated and a special congratulations
to June for winning the category for the Year 2010.

June takes Shellharbour Award

11.03.11

and Club's team performs well in highly contested National Titles

The run also puts her in the top three in the world in the U20 section, a plus for this pocket dynamite when it comes to selection. Her small frame and quick 100m speed is similar to that of Open Aussie champion, Sally Pearson. Taddeo also made the final of the 100m, another plus for selection purposes.

She now has to wait and see if the selectors will have faith in her and name her in the team. If she is selected she will become the first athlete from Illawarra Blue Stars since walker Troy Sundstrom was named in the Junior Team.

Others to perform well from Illawarra Blue Stars were jumper Talissa Scott who jumped into Aussie Youth contention with a great long jump of 5.97m. The qualifying mark for Scott in the same team is a high 6m plus but this is well within this talented young athlete, who has just been under the 6m on many occasions. Her consistency could see her win selection in one of the teams either the World Juniors or the Junior Commonwealth Games team.

Brilliant middle distance athlete Josh Kentwell ran a PB in the 3km but wasn’t content with this and made the steeplechase the main event for a medal. Kentwell has improved with each run over the steeplechase from his State winning time of 6.25 down to a good PB of 6.20 in the National Titles to gain the silver medal.

The all round performances of the junior athletes from Illawarra Blue Stars up against the best juniors in the country have seen some great results and some of the best the club has had for many years. Many of the team made the finals of their respective events with many of the athletes of the club doing personal best such as Brodie Leeson in the men's U18 200m, Skye Ryan in the 100m, Claire Burnett in the 800m, whilst newcomers to the club Avalon Punch and Keilly McCauley all did well in hotly contested fields.

Stalwarts javelin throwers, Claire Walsh, now settling into University and Emily Debrot (4th in the javelin) showed they are among the best, whilst Karlie Chambers made a return to national honours and will improve now on every run she has.

Taddeo takes National Title

18.03.11

The magical 6 metres for women long jumpers is a target that many will set. The 6m for women jumpers is an achievement and one that our own Talissa Scott has finally achieved. Sitting on the 5.90m plus for many of her jumps Talissa has shown outstanding consistency and has been rewarded with two jumps over 6m. On her second last jump at the Track Classic Talissa recorded a brilliant 6.01m. She then took her last jump and raised the level to a mighty 6.05m.

Not only is it an achievement for herself, but she has broken her own club record and also has now taken the club record to over 6 metres - never before achieved by a Blue Stars female athlete. On many occasions, heptathlon champion, Kerrie Reko was very close whilst javelin ace Louise McPaul Curry (who was a top jumper also) were close to the mark, whilst former club member Vicki Piggins, herself a State Open champion raised the level to 5.92m.

Now that this mark has been established Talissa Scott has made history for herself and also the club and the South Coast, and more jumps over this distance are well and truly within this talented young jumper.

Congratulations Talissa Scott – the 6m barrier has been broken

Magical 6m finally broken

23.03.11

Brilliant 17 year old hurdler /sprinter Abbie Taddeo has been the star of the recently held Australian Youth Track & Field Championships. Held at the Olympic Stadium Homebush, Taddeo blitzed the field in the U18 Women 100m hurdles to not only take the title but also wiped the meet record off the books. Aiming for the World Junior qualifying mark of 13.75 Taddeo ran with a tail wind but ran one of the quickest 100m hurdles for an athlete her age when she recorded the brilliant time of 13.46. With a 2.09 tail wind, selection in the Australian team for the World Junior Championships to be held in France is now in the hands of the selectors, as wind assistance allowable is only 2 metres.

Brilliant up and coming sprinter, Illawarra Blue Stars’ James Grimm showed Open senior athletes that he is a force against any age competition. His display on the weekend at the Open State titles held at Homebush was one of the highlights of the meet, with Grimm taking part in a dramatic finish of the Open Men’s 200m. Moving into the final, Grimm had a bit of ground to make up, but moved over the final 30m quicker than most of the opposition. Grimm’s quick surge through the field caused one of the opponents to lean for the line, but lost his footing and slid to the hard synthetic. Grimm was awarded the bronze medal with his strong finish.

His rise to senior open level has been impressive this year and to make the final of both the 100m and 200m open competition has set him up well for his own age titles in April. The U23’s to be held at Blacktown. He will then travel to Melbourne for the Open 100m and 200m National titles and will face the challenge of the top Australian male sprinters but the young Warilla athlete will not be overawed and will meet the challenge head on.

Grimm is showing that he could develop into the fastest male athlete
produced from the coast with only a handful of athletes from this area
recording quicker times. These include Commonwealth games rep,
Peter Gandy and more recently Troy Davies. Continued improvement
could see him take the crown as the coast’s fastest male athlete.

Grimm’s strong corner running and long striding action also sets him
up well for the longer 200m and in the future, the 400m.

At the moment, he will savour the feats he has achieved so far and
concentrate on his own State titles and the Open National titles.

Long jumper Talissa Scott added the Open Women’s title to her credit
when she out jumped the older athletes to take the title with a consistent
jump of 5. 90m, while hammer thrower Ashley Mumberson used the Open
hammer title to warm up for her coming up State U23. Her performance
in the Open division to record her season’s best suggests that she will be
a strong favourite for the U23 title event.

Grimm in Dramatic Finish

06.04.11

At the recently held Open Titles, Master sprinter Gianna Mogentale competed in the invitation Masters 200m and 60m and showed brilliant running over the 200m to capture the State record for Women’s 45-49 age bracket. In a time of 26.01 her run was the best this season and shows that she is on target for the coming up Masters State and National titles to be held in April. Gianna takes the record to add to her already high list of State and National records. She will head to the National Titles ready to take on the best knowing that she is near to her best. Her run over the 200m was even more impressive as she is a favoured 100m athlete.

Mogentale takes another State Record

06.04.11

Newcomer to our club Noel Donohoe has set a record that our club has never seen before. Noel joined our club in January and competed with great success in the Country Titles.
Competing in the 70+ age bracket, Noel has a spring in his step all the time and takes on any challenge that may come his way. We welcome Noel to our club and hope that he continues the success that he is having at the present moment.

Noel contested the unusual 56lb Heavy Weight Championships for the State Title. He came home the winner and also the proud holder of the NSW record for his age.

This is surely an event that is different, and Noel has achieved a great mark for himself and the club.

Welcome Noel Donohoe and congratulations from all of us at IBS.

Newcomer takes Record

08.04.11

Beautiful weather was the order of the day when Blue Stars athletes contested the second round of the winter cross country held last Sunday on the tough Bulli course. The weather was a little different to the first round that commenced the winter program, with drizzly rain and showers and bleak conditions hovering over athletes as they completed the Stuart Park Course.

Attendance has been good at both rounds, but the weather last week brought out the best in athletes as they had a variety of hills, sand and open running over a course that can only be described as tough.

Athletes from the club will contest the Mothers day fun run next Sunday followed by the third round cross country on the beautiful Minnamurra course.

Cross Country Commences on Fine Note

02.05.11

Records tumble

Records went everywhere with Blue Stars Masters athletes when they finished off the summer season in fine style. Competing on the Brisbane track, the scene was set for some awesome performances by our athletes, and they didn’t let themselves down.

Mary also creates History: Mary Thomas had a great championship also and has now created history by never being beaten in the javelin in Australia for the past 37 years of competing in Masters. What an outstanding effort and even injuries cannot keep this field games opponent down. This type of record will take a lot of beating. Along with this achievement, Mary has only suffered a few defeats in the javelin whilst competing overseas.

And Max leads the Way : Max McKay led the way in the mens and
showed his grit, determination and courage that this elderly statesman
displays every time he competes. Max also took a State record when he broke his age
bracket record for the 60m to be placed 3rd in this event. He went on to take out gold in the high jump, gold in the triple jump, silver in the hammer and long jump and throws pentathlon, and bronze in the 60m, shot and discus. An all-round good display in the Men's 85-89 division.

Bruce Steele: finishes off; in a great way, when he contested the Men's 50-54 pentathlon to take out a well deserved 7th placing. Bruce was in a tussle for 6th and keenly contested this gruelling event on the last day of the Championships.

The Masters have finished off the summer season in great style but a special mention must also be made to James Grimm who contested the Open Men's 100m and 200m, and prior to that took out the State Men's U23 100m titles.

Masters finish Season on High

03.05.11

Not one but two World Records: What a way to go with two world records. Gianna Mogentale, after having a very successful week in taking 2nd in the 60m, 100m, 200m and 400m, then set a record number of wins for the Champion of Champions Trophy by winning it for the fourth year in a row. In a close finish with Queensland sprinter Julie Brims, Gianna held on for a fine win to take the coveted award, but there was more to come. Combining with Brims and fellow New South Wales athletes, Julie Forster and Giola Motti, the girls were given the chance to capture the world record for the
4 x 100m and 4 x 400m held by the classy German teams set at the last World titles. The team's baton changing was superb and both

records crumbled to record times that any senior team would be proud of. Once again there was more to come. Then teaming with her NSW team mates they then took out the 4 x 100m and 4 x 400m, with the 4 x 100m not far outside the newly created World record.

Julie Strives to Achieve: Julie Steele had “Gran” supporting her all the way in these titles and she commenced well with a great 3rd in the 800m, then took 3rd in the 1500m, and then gold in the steeplechase. Her 2nd in the cross country was a just reward for this determined middle distance lady to finish off the championships in one of her best performances. As a member of the NSW 200+ 4 X 400m, she is now waiting to see if their gold medal performance has also earnt for her and her teammates the NSW Record.

Annette also takes record: Annette Mead is now the proud holder of a State record by being in the winning 4 x 100m 200+ plus team. Battling a few niggling injuries, Annette made the final of the 100m to finish 8th overall, contested the 60m to just miss the final and finished 13th on time overall in the 200m.

Top Evening for Athletes

30.05.11

Blue Stars Annual Awards and Presentation evening was one of the best on record, with over 70 plus athletes and supporters attending the Ribbonwood Centre at Dapto. Guest at the evening was middle distance champion and State and Australian Rep, Nick Bromley who attended as a top athlete and also as a representative of Athletics NSW. Nick spoke highly of IBS as a successful club both on and off the field and this showed with such a good attendance.

Awards were made for Divisional winners and runner ups and overall point score winners for the year, whilst the highlight was the Special Awards with a slide show to support each winner. This was designed and created by club member, Rebecca dos Santos, and was appreciated by all who attended.

Club Captains Tara Bain and Senior Captain Carmen Bain entertained the crowd with a wonderful piano performance, whilst Club Captains received the Country Club Point Score trophy from Athletics NSW on behalf of the club.

The Club Captains, James Baker, Carmen Bain, Ben Hollingsworth and Tara Bain also presented “a thank you gift" to officials who have also served athletics NSW at major meets, premier league and club meets.

These awards were made to:

Mary Thomas (present)
Sue Sundstrom (present)
Jodie Sundstrom (present)
Janet and John Munro (unable to attend)
Neville Fenn (unable to attend).

Yearly Point Score Winners

Divisional Winners

Special Awards Winners

NSW Cross Country Relay Champs, Miranda

03.06.11

Happily, the team achieved every goal they set. To enter a team: check! To finish: check! To have great day: check! Maybe, just maybe, finish in the top 10 (that would sound good, wouldn't it?): check! Yep, finishing in a time of 1:11:00 and in 10th position in the Open Women's category, Jemma brought the team home to enthusiastic smiles and greetings from all. Although the good news as to the position wasn't known until the following day, it was still something for the girls to be out representing the club and enjoying the hard work together.

Yet, like all good stories, this tale cannot conclude without thanking the wonderful support crew. To the Bag Manager Leanne Edwards, the Team Photographer Nancye Weeks, and the Shoe Cleaner Brett Chambers a very big thank you for all your support and assistance. You definitely made the day easy and care free.

If you would like to be a part of the excitement at the upcoming NSW Road Relays in Wollongong on July 9, get in touch with Melanie or Valmai or come down to club cross country on Sunday mornings and start rallying a team. It really is a lot of fun to be involved!

4 tired runners, 3 enthusiastic supporters, 7 big grins. Those are the statistics for club members (in order of competition) Melanie Foster, Kaisha Edwards, Julie Steele and Jemma Chambers and their 'entourage' who travelled to Miranda last Saturday to give Illawarra Blue Stars a face and throw in our lot against other clubs from all over NSW over the 4x4km cross country event.

Athletes start Winter in Good Fashion

14.07.11

Gianna takes Major Awards

14.07.11

Gianna Mogentale was rewarded for her fine season when she took out the Sprinter of the Year Award and the Best at Country Award at the recently held Masters Awards afternoon. Having received her recognition for Australian and World relay records earlier in the afternoon, the Sacramento bound sprinter was surprised at her awards but it was a just reward for a female master's sprinter who has been in the top bracket of sprinters since she commenced the sport.

Annette, Julie & Max Rewarded

14.07.11

Annette Mead, Julie Steele and Max Mckay were also awarded for their state records, Julie in the 4 x 400m and Annette in the 4 x 100m, whilst Max McKay took out his divisional award and also his State record. The masters' athletes showed they are amongst the best and this was evident in what they above athletes received.

Illawarra All Schools

12.08.11

KEEP THIS DATE FREE Sunday 9 October Illawarra All Schools

The Illawarra All Schools will be held on Sunday 9 October and entry form is attached. One of the most popular events on the school age athletes calendar, the Illawarra All Schools will lead into the NSW All Schools and will be the ideal hit out for many athletes. A combined effort by Blue Stars and Athletics Wollongong, the event is to encourage more school age athletes to join in athletics and possibly join one of the local clubs.

Support is needed by our officials tocome forward to give a helping hand. No carnival this size can be conducted without officials and whether you are qualified or not, we need your support. Even for half a day would be most welcome .

Ann Grimm will be asking people to come forward and a form offering your services will be on our web site .

It is not only a carnival to draw more into our sport and give our athletes the competition they deserve, it is also a great fund raiser and helps us to purchase new equipment etc .

A new event added to this years carnival is the introduction of the hurdles for open male and female students and under 16 male and female, a welcomed addition to the event.

Put this in your diary.

Click here for Entry Form Click here for Officials Request Form

Congratulations to Walker Troy Sundstrom taking out 3rd placing in the recent State 10km Road Walks. Sundstrom will be looking forward to the longer distances so that he can mount an attack on the winter walks point score that he successfully won last winter. Sundstrom has shown that he still has the talent and drive to finish in the top bracket, and now with a new job he may be able to settle down and concentrate on his training.

Gianna & Annette come home with Medals

12.08.11

Club sprinters Gianna Mogentale and Annette Mead have emerged home from the World Masters Track and Field with a gold and bronze to their names. In one of the most competitive world titles for some time, the championships were held in scorching heat with very little shade and facilities to provide for spectators and athletes. The women's 45 years age bracket (Gianna's division was one of the most hotly contested with all three sprints, 100m, 200m and 400m having all class acts. Gianna came home with a 4th in the 100, 4th in the 400 and 5th in the 200m and although she was a little disappointed with her runs, it was the outstanding competition that kept her out of the medals. Times were not quick on the Sacramento track and this was across the age brackets, and not only in one or two divisions. Lack of shade and decent eating facilities restricted people going out to the track, and athletes and supporters going only when need be. Gianna teamed with Julie Forster, Julie Brims and Jackie Bezuidenhout to take out the women's 4 x 100m in convincing fashion only to see the disqualification flag go up. Winning by over 30m the Aussies were devastated and a photo shows that the girls may have been treated too harshly - this evidence was not available or known to management at the time.

A revamp of the women's 4 x 400m saw the girls become a very determined foursome with Robyn Suttor being added to the team and running one of her best 400m. The girls were dominating in their win and showed that against adversity, they are one of the most determined group of female athletes to don the green and gold. This gave Gianna a well deserved gold medal to add to her overall total of previous world titles medals.

Annette Mead did herself proud and handed the competition well. Although she didn’t make the final, she ran well in both the 100m and 200m in the 50 years age bracket but the bronze medal in the 4 x 100m 45 age bracket was a bonus to her. Having challenged the

Aussie selectors to put a team in this division, members of the Australian team were devastated when a team wasn’t announced. A change in a number of relays by selectors on recommendations from athletes and team managers saw the team added and bronze medal come to Mead and another local girl Donna Hiscox who was also added to this team to also give her a first world championship medal along with Mead.

Cross Country Update

12.08.11

Though Mother Nature has certainly shown her tough side this winter, she has been shining down on the winter athletics program with plenty of love. Clear skies, firm ground and cool but not bitter temperatures have made for perfect winter running weather in all major events to date. The sunshine over the club road relays brought out the smiles as the event once again proved a popular component of the IBS Cross Country program. Family ties dominated in this years team selections and father and son, Tony and Cody Bain, proved just how strong they were as they formed the greater part of the winning team.

This years coronations for the King of the Mountain challenge on June 19 were also blessed with stunning weather. Held in the bush at Mt Kembla, with the stunning backdrop of Lake Illawarra athletes raced again for their titles and a piece of the $370 prize pool. In the 2km race, Nathan Pearce and Amy Barnes raced strongly to be crowned the 2011 Prince and Princess of the Mountain for runners U/14 years of age. Reece Gibbins and Rebecca Dos Santos showed you don't have to be known for distance running when they stormed in to take this years Duke and Duchess titles in the 2km Allcomers age bracket.

Racing over 5km, Ben Hollingsworth showed Geoff Hynoski a clean set of heels on the downhill stretch to the finish line after a valiant effort from Geoff in his first race returning to running after injury. Ben revelled in his crowning glory in taking the King of the Mountain title for the first time and made a stunning hood ornament of his trophy! Mel Foster retained the Queen title she earnt last year, passing on her prize to Julie Steele who showed what a tough competitor she is powering home to finish 4th overall.

Illawarra Blue Stars would like to extend a massive thank you to our generous sponsors for the challenge. To Hangdog Climbing Gym, Crinis Fruit Market, Country Grocer your assistance was invaluable in making the event the success that it was. To Wendy from Athletes Foot, Cassie Gibbins was ecstatic to receive her voucher for a new pair of New Balance Shoes, especially after negotiating Mud Hollow in the farthest reaches of the 5km run!

Continuing the successful year, three club members competed in the ANSW State Cross Country Championships on June 25. All covering the
hilly terrain of the full length course, Joshua Kentwell
continued his good form from the summer season to
finish 4th in the state in 14.18, Jemma Chambers
cantered home in 17th position in the U/18 4km in
18.05, while Melanie Foster finished in 7th place in
the open 8km in a time of 33.50 for the two laps. Both
Josh and Mel also finished 1st of the Country athletes
in their respective races.

Congratulations to all on a job well done!

Cross Country finishes Season on High

24.08.11

Melanie Foster and Josh Kentwell have assured the cross country competition has finished on a high with their selection in the NSW Team for the Australian title held last weekend in Canberra. Melanie was thrilled with her performance and grateful to be wearing the dark blue, light blue again in senior competition. She then travelled back home to be part of the club winter cross country presentation.

Josh Kentwell also competed in Canberra and will be looking forward to the coming up combined high schools track meet and then a full summer of track and field where he displays his best performances over distances ranging from 800m right through to 3km and also the steeplechase.

The winter club program was well attended at most locations, but a fall off over the last few weeks is in line with members having to play team sports that had been previously cancelled due to bad weather, and thus missing out on cross country.

Our thanks are extended to Melanie Foster and her mum Nancy
Weeks for marking out all of the courses and arranging the cross
country program, with, with added locations such as Berkeley.

The club will now concentrate on the last winter track and field round
to be completed on Sunday 28 August and then move into the
summer track and field season commencing with:

Registration day: Sunday 18 September 2011

Commencement of competition: 25 September 2011

Click here for Cross Country Results

Abbie makes it Silver & Bronze

15.09.11

Brilliant young hurdler, Abbie Taddeo will be coming home with a
silver and bronze medal from the recently held Commonwealth Youth
Games. Abbie is now ranked as one of the most promising young
hurdlers, in not only Australia but in the Commonwealth. On the
evening of the outstanding performance of Sally Pearson, Australian
selectors must be clapping their hands knowing that they have an up
an coming hurdler to one day possibly take over from Pearson. Abbie
competed in tough windy conditions and the time of both the winner
and Abbie in second place, was outstanding and a great reward for
the effort she has put in under coach Penny Gillies.

To add to her impressive silver medal, Abbie teamed with her Aussie team mates to take 3rd in the 4 x 100m relay, another great effort for a promising young group of sprinters.

Abbie will now head into the summer season very confident of a great 2011-2012 season.

Athletes and Officials and all supporters of the Club congratulate Abbie on a wonderful achievement in her first International overseas meet.

Good Results at University Games

04.10.11

Two of our club athletes have opened the summer season with some good performances in the recently held University Games. Representing Wollongong University, sprinter James Grimm has home with a silver medal in the men's 200m and considering he has been hampered by injury over the last few months, this is a positive result for this talented young man.

Former club member, and now back with Blue Stars, Melinda Witchard has taken out 3rd in both the 800m and 1500m and she too was happy and pleased with her result for so early in the season. This capable middle distance athlete will play an important role in this season's summer competition and along with Melanie Foster they will head up a very formidable twosome over all distances form 800m through to 3km and 5km on the track. What a great start to summer James and Melinda.

Officials Assisted

04.10.11

A number of Blue Stars officials, both technical and administration, have received a small assistance towards their costs to major meets conducted by both Athletics NSW and Athletics Australia, whilst officiating. Many of the club's officials will spend time at Athletics NSW meets on the Saturday and front up again on the Sunday, but it is the travel and cost that plays an important part. It is great to see:

Janet & John Munro
Sue Sundstrom
Neville Fenn
Jodie Sundstrom
Ann Grimm
Valmai Loomes

reimbursed from a Government Fund the club received to assist Volunteers. The grant has also enabled the club to purchase a small barbecue along with a video camera that club coaches can borrow and use by contacting the secretary.

Round goes to Blue Stars

09.11.11

Country Championships

30.10.11

Great Performances at NSW All Schools

30.10.11

The clubs school age athletes had some of the best performances when they contested the NSW All Schools titles held recently at Homebush. On the even of a busy month of November, the club’s athletes shone brightly with gold, silver and bronze coming the members’ way.

Steeplechase champ, Josh Kentwell led the way with a win in the boy’s steeplechase and is now headed to Nationals to go up against the best in the land for his age.
Quiet achiever, Skye Ryan ran a brilliant semi final in her 100m and then backed this up with a win in the final to prove she is among the best young sprinters around.

The club’s representation saw many of them make finals and come home as a finalist, a high achievement against the very best schoolboy/girl athletes in the State.

For full results see Athletics NSW Website.

Long jumper/hurdler/sprinter, Talissa Scott had the best weekend when her jump of 6.02m took Olympian Nicole Boegman’s record, a former Olympian. Talissa’s is now a consistent jumper over the 6m mark and recommendations have been made that she contest the Olympic trials to be held in Melbourne. What a great way to finish her school commitments.

Javelin ace Emily Debrot also came home with gold with a win in her division, also a great way to finish off her schooling days.

The club’s representation saw many of them make finals and come home as a finalist, a high achievement against the very best schoolboy/girl athletes in the State.

Fundraiser Dinner

ANSW Premier League & NSW Relay Titles

Blue Stars proved they are a force on home territory when the club took out the Club Premiership round held recently on the Kerryn McCann Athletic Centre. The club, having quite a few athletes missing due to exams and other commitments, still came away with the win over the strong UTN Team. Blue Stars accumulating 842 to 819.5points, competing against some of the best athletes in the State. Conducted in age brackets from U14 through to Masters, the club commenced the day with some brilliant middle distance running from Melinda Witchard, Melanie Foster, Josh Kentwell, Jemma Chambers and Masters athletes, Julie Steel, Cassie Gibbins James Baker, Mal Gibbs and Geoff Hynoski, and then the clubs athletes followed from there.

The weather produced its usual windy swirl with many of the sprints having a strong tail wind, but it was the competition from the other clubs' members that gave the locals the ideal opportunity to set themselves for the season.

Special thanks must go the club's officials - a team of dedicated people who assured that the day would go down well with both athletes and ANSW, a tribute to the people who give their time and effort to ensure that the program ran smoothly and well.

This form of competition for our club members is one that is required and one that brings out the best in our athletes and it was good to see a number of our new members support our older club members to win the round of competition for the club.

Congratulations to all who competed, who officiated and who helped put up tents, bollards and put out equipment. A big THANK YOU on a job well done.

Fellini Athlete of the Month

09.11.11

October - Julie Steele

Although never having competed previously in athletics, Julie loved the welcoming atmosphere of the Club, the chance to have an ideal outlet to burn up work-related stress, and a place to share acommon passion with people of all ages and backgrounds. After initially trying every event both on the track and in the field, quickly discovering that speed was not her strength, Julie “fell” for the quirky event of steeplechasing. Despite breaking her nose in her first national steeplechase race, Julie successfully adopted a more conservative “hurdling” technique that she hopes will allow her to keep clearing those steeples for many more years to come.

With the help of coach Valmai Loomes and her crazy training squad (including husband Bruce), Julie has gone on to win the Australian steeplechase title in her age category for the past 4 years, being first across the line out of every age group last year, and is currently ranked 6th in the 2011 World Masters Rankings for the 50-54 years 2000 m event. Julie is looking forward to travelling to New Zealand in early 2012 to defend her Oceania steeplechase title and enjoy the amazing camaraderie that exists among the Masters Athletes.

All athletes and officials who have 50% of attendance per month are recorded and then drawn out by an independent person to be awarded the Fellini On Wentworth Athlete of the Month.

Fellini on Wentworth will be giving a $50 dinner voucher for the months of October, November December, January, February and March and we thank them for their wonderful support of our club.

All athletes are taken off results; and officials are taken off the officials sign in book, so please make sure you sign in each week.

All attending from ages U8 right through to Masters men and women will have the chance to win a voucher each month: plus our attending and very supportive officials. Remember youmust have 50% attendance for the month to be eligible: If there are 5 Sundays, then you must have at least 3 attendances.

Our thanks to Rob and Dianne of Fellini on Wentworth and congratulations to Julie Steele, our first voucher winner for the month of October.

Country Titles will be held on 27, 28 and 29 January 2012 at the Glendale Athletic Centre and once again we want our athletes to support this as much as they have over the past years. Please note that the Championships will be commencing on Friday 27 January with a few events. Full program, accommodation form and entry forms will be available to all athletes through club meets, on the website and by email at a later date.

The club will be holding a fundraising dinner to celebrate the start of the season and an early Christmas and we are asking as many members as possible to support this. The dinner will be held at Fellini on Wentworth on Saturday 26 November - an ideal way to relax, have a good meal and mix socially with club mates. You can bring your friends but remember only 70 seats are available so first in - form and menu available on website.

All fund raising will go towards:

a. trophies for end of season
b. new equipment that is required
c. athletes’ assistance
d. assistance with entry fees to State and Country Relays for athletes.

We urge you to support this function. Only one raffle will be held plus one auction, so bring a little money and let’s have a great night.

Athletes will have a busy month ahead with Athletics NSW bringing the Premier League meet to Wollongong on Saturday 5 November. Last season’s success has seen the Association have confidence in the locals and it is hoped that Sydneyites will take advantage of our good track and come down to commence at 2.00 pm. All the club’s athletes from U14 up will take part - see program. We encourage our athletes form U14 to Masters men and women to take part against athletes from all over the State in a variety of events.

Juniors to be catered for: The club’s U8, U10 and U12 will commence at 12.00 noon and go through to 2.00 pm on same day, prior to commencement of the Premier League. Athletes are reminded that no club will be held on Sunday 6 November.

Relays - Saturday and Sunday 19 and 20 November: The NSW Relay Titles will be held at Homebush and all our members are asked to complete a nomination form for selection (forms available on website) and return ASAP so teams can be sorted. We urge our U14 up athletes to Masters Men and Women to take part. Please read all details carefully.

30.10.11

Julie Steele is currently a Professor at the University of Wollongong, where she is Director of the Biomechanics Research Laboratory. Julie was first introduced to Illawarra Blue Stars when her son, Harrison, started competing for the club back in 2006 as a 10 year-old.
After watching him enjoy competing in the Country titles, Julie decided to join in rather than sit on the sidelines,
first competing in the IBS uniform in the 2007 Country Titles.

30.10.11

Blue Stars unite for Relays

15.11.11

Blue Stars members have again come forward and submitted names for the NSW Relay Championships to be held this weekend at Homebush. The club has united and has bought together teams in:

Under 14 women
Under 16 women
Under 18 women
Under 20 women
Open women
Masters women in 120+, 160+ and 200+ divisions

Whilst the men will field teams in:

Under 18 men
Open Men
Masters men in the 160+ and 200+ divisions

Great to see everyone participating – whether you win or not, you are already winners by being supportive of the club.

Great also to see some of our new members fronting up to make up teams.

Well done everyone, that united spirit is one that Blue Stars is very proud of. Keep up the good work and good luck.

Spirit is shown by new Member

15.11.11

The true Blue Stars spirit has been picked up very quickly by one
of our new members. Welcome to Masters top athlete Denise
Palmer who joins our club this season for the first time. Denise
has decided that she would let her feet do the talking this time
and put her name in for the women's 4 x 100m relay team when
she found out that the women were minus a member due to June
Lowe having to withdraw due to illness of her husband. Denise
admits she is a better thrower but without her we wouldn’t have a
team, so well done, sportsmanship at its best and it gives her
team mates a chance.

Mary on the Mend

15.11.11

People have been asking me of the whereabouts of Mary Thomas. Mary is currently doing rehab in Lawrence Hargrave hospital and although she has had many operations she believes this has been the worst on her knee. Don’t know when she will be out, but it will take more than a knee operation to keep this lady down. Wishing you a quick recovery Mary from all your friends at IBS.