sport
Doncaster Athletes Chase State Titles as Early Season Dominates
Local high school athletes are in peak form with House Carnivals underway and state-title ambitions building for the coming months.
How we reported this
Students from across Doncaster’s top high-school athletics programs have turned in strong early-season performances this week, with multiple schools holding their House Athletics Carnivals at the Tom Kelly Athletics Track in Doncaster East. The venue, which is also home to the Doncaster Athletic Club, has been host to events including hurdles, javelin, high jump and long jump, marking the first serious tests for senior athletes eyeing state honours later in 2026.
Local schools hit the track hard
East Doncaster Secondary College and Doncaster Secondary College, both known for extensive athletics programs that include carnivals in swimming, athletics, cross-country and team sports like basketball, soccer and netball, have been busy fielding strong contingents. At Eltham High School’s recent House Athletics Carnival, also held at the Tom Kelly Athletics Track, results showed early-season depth across multiple disciplines. The Tom Kelly facility, suited for weekday training from 8:00am to 3:30pm, is regularly booked by local schools as the calendar shifts toward the Eastern Zone regional meets organised by School Sport Victoria.
Doncaster Secondary College, which is affiliated with School Sport Victoria and competes in the Eastern Zone at regional athletics, soccer, basketball and swimming events, has seen several senior students set personal bests. The form is no surprise given that senior students at East Doncaster Secondary College have won state titles and received Victorian Schools Sports Awards ‘Sporting Blue’ honours in recent years.
The Doncaster Athletic Club, which bases its coaching and competition program at the Tom Kelly Athletics Track and competes in Athletics Victoria competitions, has also been running sessions at the venue, offering athletes from local schools extra technical support in sprint, field and middle-distance events.
What’s next for the region’s rising athletes
With the Tom Kelly Athletics Track continuing to act as the central hub for school and club training, the next few weeks will see athletes push toward qualification for the regionals. While no official dates for the Eastern Zone carnivals have been confirmed yet, the early-season performances suggest Doncaster’s senior students will again be contenders for state-level berths, and the coveted Sporting Blue awards that accompany them.
For parents and athletes looking to stay involved, the Doncaster Athletic Club continues to offer weekly coaching sessions. Schools interested in booking the Tom Kelly Athletics Track for weekday training sessions between 8:00am and 3:30pm can liaise directly with the venue.