VALLEY TOPS THE LIST IN ROUND 1
The Diamond Valley Athletic Club has made a successful opening to the 2026/2027 AVSL season finishing on top of the Premier Division ladder. By the end of competition, the 75 DVAC athletes (34 Female & 41 Male) who competed had amassed a total of 43,807 points to put the Valley at the head of the 10 club Division. Four of the DVAC Age Group divisions will go into Round 2 at the top of their ladder: these Age Groups are the Female Open, Female U18, Female 40+ and the Male U18.
LAUNCH PAD FOR THE VALLEY ROCKETS
At the Doncaster venue the DVAC ‘hill’ was entertained by a series of blistering runs by the Valley sprint team. Wave after wave of the 200m heats approached the finish line with a splash of Green & Gold at the front. Thirteen out of the top 20 point scores for the 200m were posted by Valley athletes. Jamie Ritchie (F16) earned a whopping 507 points for her 24.14. But her battle to the line with training partner, Katie Oliver (FOpen), 24.42 (457pts) was worth paying to watch. Jaxon Latchman (M20) was first to cross the line in the top heat of the Men’s 200m, posting a time of 22.34.
The other ten sprinters in the top 20 point scorers for the 200m were: Elizabeth Horne (F20) 24.94; Jacob Guyett (M14) 24.44; Aria-Rose Cerqueira (F14) 27.10; Zanda Botha (M18) 23.18; Sophie Welch (F16) 27.11 (pb); James D’Antonio (M18) 23.32; Josh Koegler (M18) 23.34; Hudson McGregor (M16) 24.37; Harvey McGregor (M18) 23.67; Isabella Evans (F16) 27.90.
THE VALLEY PAIN TRAIN
The DVAC distance runners gained their own share of attention at Doncaster with a rare level of dominance, especially in the Female 3000m. There were 10 DVAC runners line up for the Female 3000m in a field of 24. Fieke Van Der Kamp (10:28.53), Jesse Mayne (10:33.81), Madeleine Arvaji (10:34.34) and Erin Maloney (10:53.27) filled the first four places. In the early laps the group moved around the track in tight formation.
In the Male 3000m, Jett Hollingsworth (M14) led the times for DVAC as well as his own age group with 10:38.1. Jordan Rudd (MPara Open) ran 10:48.09 and Ross McDonald (M60) finished in 11:44.06.
Rhodri Whelan (M20) led the Open 5000m from start to finish and crossed in 17:22.1.
GOT IT … 40m HAMMER THROW
Vanessa Smith (F20) got down to serious work in Round 1 and achieved an important milestone, a 4kg Hammer Throw over 40m. Her best throw at Doncaster was measured at 40.16m.
Daniil Rauzin (MOpen) was another happy Throws athlete when he sent the 7.26kg Shot out for a pb distance of 11.19m.
Bruce Wood (M70) was left one point short of the elite 1000 point mark from his work in the Discus (31.42m), Hammer Throw (32.89m) and the Javelin (22.79m). Bruce led all comers in the M60 age group in the Discus and was second placed in the Hammer Throw and the Javelin.
The M18 team is fortunate to have Field athletes of the quality of Wilson Riley (Shot Put pb of 12.12m), Chehan Udugampala (47.60m Hammer) Toby Hamilton (4.20m Pole Vault) and Elliot Williams (11.77m Triple Jump).
GAELYNE KENSHOLE … Leader of the Pack
The highest MVA points scorer for DVAC in Rd 1 of the AVSL was Gaelyne Kenshole (F50). Gaelyne amassed a total of 1200pts to lead the DVAC team, just enough hold off her daughter Elyssia who was second on the MVA points ladder with 1,129pts. Gaelyne broke the DVAC club record for the F55 Pole Vault with a clearance over 2.85m. Gaelyne also led the points for the Female 55-59 age group.
Elyssia cleared 2.90m off an 8 step run-up. And guess who led the MVA points for the Open Females across the AVSL. Yes .. it was Elyssia Kenshole!
Aylaa Arunan (F16) was third highest scorer with 1,063pts while Lalith Udugampala (M50) was the only other DVAC athlete to break the 1000pt mark with 1,032pts.
PB’S R’US
·Zander Botha (M18):200m:23.18
·Charlie Cooper (M18):200m:23.95
·Daniil Rauzin (M Open):Shot Put:11.19m
·Hudson McGregor (M16): 200m:24.37
·Samuel McGregor (M16): 200m:24.70
·Jakirit Singh Guru (M16): 200m:24.76
·Oskar Jacobson (M16):1500m:4:45.73
·Finlay Bowman (M14 Para): 800m:3:54.73
·Finlay Bowman (M14 Para): Shot Put:5.54m
·Vanessa Smith (F20):Hammer Throw: 40.16m
·Lily Hopwood (F18):200m:36.61
·Lily Hopwood (F18):1500m Walk: 12:34.3
·Sophie Welch (F16):200m:27.11
·Sofia Norwood (F16):800m:2:46.64
·Aria-Rose Cerqueira (F14): 200m:27.10
HEARD IT ON THE HILL
ÞCyrus Wong (M40) had one lap to go in the 3000m and as he went past the bell ringer he called out, ‘Wharfie Time’!
ÞMichelle King has started the season off in grand style, turning the clock back several seasons. The secret? “Hit the Gym in winter & do Cross Country.”
ÞTayla Borg’s Lucky Charm? “I always carry a spare hair tie on my wrist.
ÞPre competition meal of choice? “Lasagna the night before so I can PB”, says Kirra Wright. Kirra spent the day at Doncaster despite not being able to compete due to a hamstring injury.
VALLEY CLUB HELPERS
DVAC is very lucky to have the generous support of so many members of the community. On Saturday the main Club Duty was to provide 3 Helpers at Shot Put (Circle 2) and the following people covered every duty:
ÞThanks go to Jeff Young, Tony Kenshole, Sarah Gittins, Tommi Rowe, Alison Knuckey, Kate Ryan, Ginny Guru, Charmaine Smith, Brooke Rudd, Jill Welch & Adam Scott
ÞThanks to David Armstrong for having the Valley Tent in prime spot on the hill at Doncaster & thanks to the crew who packed the Valley Tent at the end of the day.
ÞThanks to Lyn Davis, Catherine Arvaji & Tracey Johns for Lap scoring the distance events.
WEEKLY DVAC AWARDS:
ÞThe STEIGEN ACHIEVEMENT AWARD for AVSL RD 1 goes to Gaelyne Kenshole.
ÞThe CINNAMON GROVE Appreciation Award for AVSL Rd 1 goes to Charmaine Smith.
ÞThe DVAC Lucky Draw winner for AVSL Rd 1 goes to James D’Antonio.
Max Balchin – mbalchin29@bigpond.com)
AVSL RD 1 2026
Saturday 17 October 2026
Doncaster, Murrumbeena, Hampton
DVAC Results:
Female OP
200m: Katie Oliver 24.42 (-0.6); Fieke Van Der Kamp 33.09 (-0.5);
800m: Jesse Mayne 2:23.45; Fieke Van Der Kamp 2:28.63; Sarah Papadopoulos 3:43.36;
3000m: Fieke Van Der Kamp 10:28.53; Jesse Mayne 10:33.81; Erin Maloney 10:53.27; Tayla Borg 13:06.73;
1500m Walk: Sarah Papadopoulos 10:44.6h;
Hammer: Sarah Papadopoulos 13.17m;
Pole Vault: Elyssia Kenshole 3.90m;
Shot Put: Elyssia Kenshole 9.44m; Sarah Papadopoulos 5.64m;
Triple Jump: Elyssia Kenshole 11.26m;
Female 20
200m: Elizabeth Horne 24.94 (-0.6);
3000m: Ella Littlehales 12:28.50;
Hammer: Vanessa Smith 40.16m;
Shot Put: Vanessa Smith 8.15m; Elizabeth Horne 9.19m;
Triple Jump: Vanessa Smith 8.46m;
Female 18
200m: Matilda Johnson 28.89 (-1.3); Liv Nicholls 30.33 (-1.2); Lily Hopwood 36.61 (-1.2);
800m: Isabella Napoletano 2:35.96; Zoey Ryan 2:43.87;
3000m: Madeleine Arvaji 10:34.34; Lucy Johns 14:31.67;
1500m Walk: Lily Hopwood 12:34.3h;
Hammer: Zoey Ryan 30.16m; Liv Nicholls 11.31m; Hanna Rowe NM;
Shot Put: Zoey Ryan 7.20m; Liv Nicholls 6.43m; Hanna Rowe 9.97m;
Triple Jump: Lily Hopwood 6.23m; Liv Nicholls 8.49m;
Female 16
200m: Jamie Ritchie 24.14 (-0.6); Sophie Welch 27.11 (-0.6); Isabella Evans 27.90 (-1.5);
800m: Sofia Norwood 2:46.64;
Discus: Aylaa Arunan 19.99m;
Long Jump: Aylaa Arunan 4.40m;
Shot Put: Aylaa Arunan 7.70m; Talise Botha 6.57m;
Triple Jump: Aylaa Arunan 9.52m; Talise Botha 9.35m;
Female 14
200m: Aria-Rose Cerqueira 27.10 (-0.6); Maddie Laws 30.29 (-1.3);
Female 40
200m: Victoria Lindores 32.41 (-0.3); Meg Nicholls 35.04 (-0.3);
800m: Alison Knuckey 2:54.24;
3000m: Alison Knuckey 12:32.04;
Hammer: Kate Ryan 18.07m; Victoria Lindores 12.91m;
Shot Put: Kate Ryan 6.17m; Meg Nicholls 5.26m; Victoria Lindores 6.79m;
Triple Jump: Meg Nicholls 7.10m; Victoria Lindores 8.02m;
Female 50
200m: Sarah Gittins DNS;
Hammer: Gaelyne Kenshole 20.84m; Sarah Gittins 14.34m;
Pole Vault: Gaelyne Kenshole 2.85m;
Shot Put: Gaelyne Kenshole 7.79m; Sarah Gittins 6.03m;
Triple Jump: Gaelyne Kenshole 8.63m;
Female 60
200m: Michelle King 36.24 (-1.7); Jo Moxon 46.21 (-1.7);
800m: Michelle King 3:25.37; Jo Moxon 3:37.89;
3000m: Michelle King 15:17.20; Jo Moxon 16:20.04;
1500m Walk: Jo Moxon 11:54.1h;
Hammer: Michelle King 18.71m;
Shot Put: Jo Moxon 4.02m; Michelle King 7.29m;
Male OP
200m: James Hurley 24.40 (-0.6); Jordan Rudd 27.33 (-1.6); Daniil Rauzin 27.54 (-1.4);
800m: Jordan Rudd 2:18.20;
3000m: Jordan Rudd 10:48.09;
Shot Put: Daniil Rauzin 11.19m;
Triple Jump: Jesse Littlehales SCR; James Hurley 11.34m;
Male 20
200m: Jaxon Latchman 22.34 (-1.3);
5000m: Rhodri Whelan 17:22.1h;
Male 18
200m: Zander Botha 23.18 (-0.6); James D'Antonio 23.32 (-1.3); Josh Koegler 23.34 (-0.6); Harvey McGregor 23.67 (-0.6); Charlie Cooper 23.95 (-1.2); Elliot Williams 25.07 (-1.5);
800m: Brodie Batt 2:00.78;
Discus: Wilson Riley 30.41m; Chehan Udugampala DNS;
Hammer: Wilson Riley 43.81m; Chehan Udugampala 47.60m; 50.97m;
Javelin: Chehan Udugampala 41.63m;
Pole Vault: Toby Hamilton 4.20m;
Shot Put: Toby Hamilton 10.10m; Wilson Riley 12.12m; Zander Botha 7.79m; Elliot Williams 9.29m;
Triple Jump: Zander Botha 11.59m; Elliot Williams 11.77m;
Male 16
200m: Hudson McGregor 24.37 (-0.9); Samuel Thompson 24.70 (-1.2); Jakirat Singh Guru 24.76 (-1.5); Angus Nicholls 29.46 (-1.5);
1500m: Oskar Jacobson 4:45.73;
200m Hurdles: Riley Young 32.27 (1.4);
Hammer: Gabriel Kozaris 35.61m;
Shot Put: Angus Nicholls 7.45m; Charlie Stow 8.15m;
Triple Jump: Angus Nicholls NM; Jakirat Singh Guru 11.47m; Charlie Stow NM;
Male 14
200m: Jacob Guyett 24.44 (-1.2); Finlay Bowman 44.26 (-1.8);
800m: Jett Hollingsworth 2:21.57; Sebastian Botha 2:48.17; Finlay Bowman 3:54.73;
3000m: Jett Hollingsworth 10:38.11;
1500m Walk: Sebastian Botha 9:07.6h;
Shot Put: Finlay Bowman 5.54m;
Triple Jump: Cooper Partridge 10.08m; Sebastian Botha 7.70m;
Male 40
200m: Justin Botha 27.30 (-1.4); Cyrus Wong 31.77 (0.8);
800m: Cyrus Wong 2:57.34;
3000m: Cyrus Wong 13:56.27;
Discus: Arunan Arumainayagam 22.01m;
Hammer: Arunan Arumainayagam 21.18m; Ian Kozaris 20.92m;
Javelin: Arunan Arumainayagam 23.39m;
Shot Put: Arunan Arumainayagam 7.30m; Justin Botha 9.36m; Ian Kozaris DNS;
Triple Jump: Cyrus Wong 6.73m;
Male 50
100m: Lalith Udugampala 13.17 (-2.5);
200m: Darren Corden 35.99 (1.0);
Javelin: Lalith Udugampala 35.16m;
Long Jump: Lalith Udugampala 4.88m;
Shot Put: Adam Scott 6.71m;
Male 60
200m: Lyal Douglas 32.74 (1.0); Greg Luck NT;
800m: Lyal Douglas 2:58.22;
3000m: Ross McDonald 11:44.06; Lyal Douglas 14:20.96;
1500m Walk: Bernie Keirl 9:36.0h;
Discus: Bruce Wood 31.42m;
Hammer: Bruce Wood 32.89m;
Javelin: Bruce Wood 22.79m;
Shot Put: Jeff Young 5.59m; Greg Luck DNS; Bruce Wood 10.25m;
Triple Jump: Greg Luck DNS;
