New members already indicated they will be teaming up with IBS and it is great to see them come on board for the summer season.

The winner of the four-round attendance went to Andrew Lau for attending and competing in each round of the winter, May, June, July, and the final round last Sunday. Andrew had other commitments for the early morning but still managed to come to the last meet and contest the 400 metres and some field events.

The Kembla Joggers club and Athletics Australia are to be congratulated on the fabulous presentation of the Australian Cross-Country Championships. Held on the Kembla Joggers course at Dapto, the overall presentation looked superb and the coverage by live stream was excellent.

We, in the Illawarra are fortunate to have a top class athletics track in the Kerryn McCann Athletics Centre and the winter cross-country course that allows us to bring top class athletics to this region. Well done everyone involved, the feedback has been nothing but positive.

We are now leaving our winter program and heading into the summer and all members of Illawarra Blue Stars and intending members are asked to be at the Kerryn McCann Athletics Centre on Sunday, September 15, for the start of Round 1 of competition.

Competition will start right on 2.30pm and members are asked to be at the track by 2pm.

Registrations along with club uniform orders will be taken, but athletes are reminded that they will have a two-week only trial and then will be asked to register. We are also asking athletes to order their uniforms early so they will have for major meets, and not leave this till the last minute.

Competition will be conducted over a four-weekly cycle with divisions to conducted as under 8, under 10, under 12, under 14, under 16, under 18, under 20, open, and masters (30/49, and 50 plus) for both male and female competitors.

The only fee for competition is the entry fee to the track via the Beaton Park Leisure Centre.

Our masters athletes are off to Queensland for the Oceania Championships and we wish them all the best as they take on athletes competing for their countries within the Oceania rRegion.

A very popular event, our club will be represented by Mary Thomas, June Lowe, Rina Flynn, Andrew Roda and John Lamb, a highly talented bunch of masters athletes who are sure to figure in the final groups of their events.

All coaches are reminded that to coach on Beaton Park (Kerryn McCann Athletics Centre), you must be an accredited coach to do so.

Management of the complex will be very strong in this practice and are asking all coaches to ensure they have their credentials into management to allow them to coach on this ground.

Coaches can only coach one discipline at a time and this too will be monitored so that squads and groups are not left to manage themselves.

This is in line with liability and insurance and all coaches are asked to abide by this council policy.

Athletes will now be gearing towards State high schools coming up in a few weeks but then the major meet for students will be the popular and strong NSW All Schools conducted by Athletics NSW.

One of the most popular events for student athletes, it brings together athletes from Independent schools, private and public schools and Catholic schools, showcasing some of the best juniors in the state.

Be sure you have your entry in by lodging into Athletics NSW website and selecting NSW All Schools.

Geoff Hynoski travelled to Victoria on the weekend and took part in his favourite trail run.

He finished a great 11th in his age bracket and in the top 100 out of 300 plus athletes.

In very cold chilly conditions, the run was a testing one and but one that Geoff handled with ease, so congratulations on a fabulous run and well deserved top finish.

For more information on IBS go to our website www.illawarrabluestars.com.