A Big Summer of Athletics Awaits Across NSW
Published Sat 03 Oct 2026
Summer athletics is back, and the next six months are set to bring some of the biggest competition, club rivalries and championship moments of the year across New South Wales.
Winter belonged to cross country, road running, race walking and winter track and field, culminating in the NSW All Schools Championships. Now the spotlight returns to track and field, with a huge summer season ahead.
Clubs and venues across regional and metropolitan NSW are preparing for a packed summer, with opportunities for athletes of all ages, abilities and ambitions to compete, chase personal bests, represent their club and simply enjoy being part of the sport.
One of the first major competitions to return will be the Treloar Shield, where athletes compete regularly, take part alongside their teammates and earn points for their club throughout the season.
Treloar Shield is a staple of the NSW summer, with six rounds of competition building towards the Treloar Shield Final at Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre (SOPAC) on 12 December.
The Treloar Shield series provides a welcoming and accessible competition environment for athletes across a wide range of ages, abilities and event groups. Athletes can represent their club, try different events, build competition experience and work towards their own goals.
There will also be plenty of opportunities for athletes looking for more targeted competition. The Specialist Series returns throughout summer, providing dedicated competition opportunities for particular disciplines.
Milers caters for middle and distance runners, High Velocity focuses on sprint events, Throws provides dedicated opportunities for throwing athletes, while Twilight meets offer additional midweek competition across selected track and field events.
For athletes, the Specialist Series provides another opportunity to compete in preferred events, prepare for the upcoming championships and record qualifying performances where the event and permit conditions allow.
Some of the biggest moments of summer will come when club pride takes centre stage.
The VALOUR NSW Relay Championships return to SOPAC in November, giving athletes the chance to swap individual competition for the excitement of competing alongside their teammates.
Athletes in the 8s to 12s will take to the track on 8 November, before athletes from the 13s through to Masters take over SOPAC across 13 - 15 November. Together, the championships will bring athletes of all ages together for one of the biggest club events of the season.
Away from SOPAC, athletics will be in full swing at clubs and venues across regional and metropolitan NSW.
The HART Sport Zone Championships will take place across 23 Zones during November and December, giving younger athletes the opportunity to represent their club and, for eligible age groups, begin their journey through the Championships Pathway.
Zone Championships are the first stage of a pathway that continues through the Coles Region Championships and NSW State Championships. Clubs, volunteers and officials across NSW play an important role in providing these opportunities and creating a positive experience for athletes and families.
As the calendar moves beyond Christmas, the focus of the season will increasingly turn towards championship preparation and competition.
The post-Christmas calendar will include Coles Region Championships, County Championships, Distance and Combined Events competitions, and NSW State Championships for Littles, Juniors, Opens and Masters.
Some athletes will have their sights set on State and National competition, while others will continue competing with their club, chasing personal bests and enjoying another summer of athletics.
For NSW Athletics General Manager, – Sport Delivery, Dylan Potter, the upcoming season is an exciting opportunity to build on growing participation and engagement across the sport.
“There’s a real sense of excitement heading into the summer season, with so many opportunities for athletes to get involved, compete regularly and represent their clubs,” Potter said.
“Whether someone is stepping onto the track for the first time, competing regularly or progressing through championship competition, we want every athlete to have a positive experience and enjoy being part of the athletics community.
That focus on inclusion extends beyond metro clubs, with Potter acknowledging that competition opportunities still vary depending on where athletes are based.
“We also know that access to competition differs across NSW. Working with clubs, volunteers and officials to strengthen local competition and create more opportunities across regional areas will remain an important ongoing focus”
