Keilor Little Athletics Centre will break new ground when it hosts its first relay day at Stadium Drive on Sunday.
While relay days have been run successfully on the other side of town, event manager Steve Scodella believes Keilor is the first club in the western region to hold such an event.
“Box Hill has an open relay day, but we’re the first club to run one in the north-western suburbs,” Scodella said. “It’s something a bit different, so we’re looking forward to it.
“It’s going to have a bit of a carnival-type atmosphere.”
The relay day will be a key warm-up event for teams ahead of regional and state relay championships.
There is likely to be entries from at least 12 clubs, including teams from as far away as Nunawading, Ringwood and Whittlesea, and, of course, a strong contingent from Keilor.
“Keilor has a pretty proud tradition in relays,” Scodella said. “That’s why our committee got together and thought, why not host our own event? The idea is they get a bit of practice moving the baton around and they get into regionals after having a practice.”
The little athletics season has already begun, but that is not stopping Keilor from continuing its recruiting drive.
Historically, Keilor has had new athletes joining the centre as late as Christmas, but the club is urging newcomers to join as soon as possible.
“Keilor is one of the biggest clubs in north-west metropolitan Melbourne,” Scodella said. “We’ve been around for nearly 50 years. The slogan for little athletics is family, fun and fitness.”
The relay day at the Keilor Little Athletics Centre will begin at 9am on Sunday.
Details: keilorlac.org.au
