Parents Launch Kids into Doncaster Youth Athletics at Tom Kelly Track

DONCASTER, Any parent who has watched their child sprint across a school oval or hurl a javelin at a house carnival knows the look: that flicker of ‘I want to do this more.’ For families in Doncaster, the path from school sport to organised athletics is shorter than you might think, and it starts at two well-established local high schools and a community-run club based at the Tom Kelly Athletics Track in Doncaster East.

Youth sport offers more than just fitness. With global tensions simmering in the news-Iran trade routes under threat, Russian strikes on Black Sea oil tankers, and a US-Iran conflict dragging into its fifth day-getting kids active and connected to a local team feels increasingly valuable. It’s a chance to build resilience, community, and a sense of normalcy when the headlines are anything but.

Where to start: schools and clubs

East Doncaster Secondary College and Doncaster Secondary College both offer extensive athletics programs. Their annual carnivals cover swimming, athletics, cross-country, and team sports like 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. Senior students from East Doncaster Secondary College have gone on to win state titles and receive Victorian Schools Sports Awards ‘Sporting Blue’ honours for their achievements.

If your child is not enrolled at one of those schools, or simply wants more specialised coaching, the Doncaster Athletic Club is the go-to. Based at the Tom Kelly Athletics Track, the club provides coaching and competes in Athletics Victoria competitions. Schools can also hire the track for weekday training sessions between 8:00am and 3:30pm. Several high schools, including Eltham High School, already hold their House Athletics Carnivals at the Tom Kelly track, running events such as hurdles, javelin, high jump, and long jump.

That means your child does not need to join a fancy program or travel across the city. The infrastructure is already here: a proper synthetic track, qualified coaches, and a competition pathway that feeds into state-level meets.

What it costs and what to expect

While no current membership fees for the Doncaster Athletic Club appear in public records, parents should budget for typical club registration, a singlet or uniform, and Athletics Victoria affiliation fees-usually a few hundred dollars a season. School-based programs are more affordable, often included in annual school fees or offered as a low-cost extracurricular option.

The key is to ask early. Contact the Doncaster Athletic Club via their website or call Tom Kelly Athletics Track for training times. Schools like East Doncaster Secondary College and Doncaster Secondary College will have a sport coordinator who can tell you about carnival dates and try-out sessions. If your child is new to athletics, don’t worry: most clubs have a “come and try” session before you commit.

For families looking for a structured way to get their kids moving, build friendships, and maybe even earn a state title-the next step is just a phone call or a visit to the track away.