EVENT PREVIEW | 2023 COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

This weekend more than 350 of WA’s best country track and field athletes will head to the Avon Valley for the 2023 WA Country Athletics Championships powered by Coles. The Championships will see 11 Regional Centres from all over WA compete at the Northam Recreation Centre from 13 to 15 January.

Among the athletes travelling to Northam will be 2022 World Athletics Under 20’s Semi-Finalist Taylah Cruttenden. Fresh off representing Australia, the 100m sprint star is excited to help inspire the next generation of Australian Track and Field Athletes in WA’s outback.

“I’m excited to head to Northam and meet with young athletes and coaches. It’s fun to be able to see the younger athletes coming up through the ranks and just cheer on the growing talent in the state.” Said Cruttenden.

“It's great to be a part of the Country Championships, especially given its Northam’s 50^th Anniversary, so I’m excited to help celebrate all the hard work that has gone into delivering the event.”

Taylah will be at the Country Championships on Saturday where she will be available for autographs, photos, and answer any questions the Country athletes have. Taylah will also be hanging out in the Event Village at the Come and Try zone to help get the locals active during the Championships.

Co-hosted by Northam & Districts Little Athletics Centre, the 2023 Country Championships powered by Coles will see the local town celebrate 50 years of athletics in the community. The inaugural hosts of the Country Championships in 1973, Northam will once again see the best from the Country head into the Avon Valley. Northam & Districts Little Athletics Centre President Stacy Stanfield has led the way and is excited to see WA’s best make the trip. 

“The best part about Country Championships are our athletic families who turn up year after year from far and wide to reconnect with friends. Our young athletes aspire to be the best they can be, to have time with family, have fun and develop fitness and learn skills from the very experienced officials who attend.

While Athletes will be looking to claim the 2023 Country title, there will be action off the track with Coles handing out free Bananas and Keep On Running in attendance with the latest range of spikes on offer.

A final timetable, the revised start lists and the live results link for the Championships can be found online at the event page or by clicking HERE.

Athletics West proudly delivers the 2023 Country Athletics Championships powered by Coles in partnership with Coles, the Shire of Northam, the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries,  Northam & Districts Little Athletics Centre, Healthway and their Go For 2&5 message, and Keep On Running.

You can follow all of the athletics action from the 2023 Athletics West Summer Season presented by Go For 2&5 via Athletics West’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

For more information about how you can get involved in athletics, contact Athletics West at 08 6272 0480.  

By David Smith, Athletics West
Posted: 12/01/2023