sport
Doncaster Schools Report Rising Youth Athletics Participation Despite Digital Competition
Numbers from local schools and clubs show how athletics is holding its own against e-commerce and digital distractions
How we reported this
Doncaster’s high school athletics programs are drawing steady numbers, even as the town’s retail sector undergoes a permanent shift to online shopping. The citable input from East Doncaster Secondary College and Doncaster Secondary College shows both schools offer extensive athletics programs including carnivals in swimming, athletics, cross-country, and competitions in basketball, soccer, and netball. Doncaster Secondary College is affiliated with School Sport Victoria and competes in the Eastern Zone at regional athletics, soccer, basketball, and swimming events.
Why this matters now
Doncaster’s retail landscape has changed dramatically. Since 2015, the town has lost 1,330 retail employees, and all 110 net new retail businesses created between 2015 and 2023 were micro-businesses primarily in internet and mail order sales. E-commerce now accounts for 36% of all retail sales in Doncaster, a 10% increase from pre-pandemic levels. As shopping moves online and traditional high street footfall declines, the question for local fitness culture is whether young people are swapping the sports field for the screen. The participation data from schools suggests organised athletics is still a staple.
Multiple high schools, including Eltham High School, hold their House Athletics Carnivals at the Tom Kelly Athletics Track in Doncaster East. The track hosts events such as hurdles, javelin, high jump, and long jump. Senior students at East Doncaster Secondary College have won state titles and received Victorian Schools Sports Awards ‘Sporting Blue’ honours for their athletic achievements.
Local detail: Tom Kelly Athletics Track and the Doncaster Athletic Club
The Doncaster Athletic Club, based at the Tom Kelly Athletics Track, provides coaching and competes in Athletics Victoria competitions. Schools hire the track for weekday training from 8:00am to 3:30pm. The citable input shows that the track has become a hub for school athletics, with carnivals and training sessions keeping the facility in regular use.
The town centre void rate dropped from 20% at the pandemic start to 16% by August 2021, performing better than the national average of 18.4%. That improvement in retail property suggests some economic resilience, even as the retail workforce shrinks. Meanwhile, new retail openings such as Saltrock, LUKE 1977, and independent retailer Tiffany at Lakeside Village, plus a £300 million city centre transformation investment, indicate a rebalancing of the local economy.
What happens next? The Doncaster Athletic Club continues to offer coaching and competition pathways through Athletics Victoria, and schools keep using the Tom Kelly track for training and carnivals. The evidence from school athletics programs and club participation suggests that organised sport remains a meaningful part of Doncaster’s youth culture, even as the retail sector evolves. Local families and school sports coordinators can expect the track to remain a focal point for athletic development.