School-aged talent set to take over Brisbane

The future stars of Australian athletics will take centre stage in the very city that will host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032, with Tourism and Events Queensland and the Brisbane Economic Development Agency today announcing Brisbane as the location for the 2024 Chemist Warehouse Australian All Schools Athletics Championships.

Just months after the country’s Paris 2024 heroes return home, the incredible talent of the next generation will kick off an action-packed summer of athletics at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre, from December 6-8, with the one-day National Schools Challenge taking place on December 9.

The Chemist Warehouse Australian All Schools Athletics Championships is the pinnacle event for school-aged athletes (aged 12-17 for able-bodied students, and up to 19 years for para events), and provides a platform for students to compete against their peers, chase personal bests and achieve national recognition.

From sprints to jumps to throws and walks, over 1,200 school students from across the country will converge taking some of their first steps toward the top as many Australian greats have done before them.

Over the past 48 editions, some of Australia’s biggest names have used the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships as their launching pad, including the likes of world champion Eleanor Patterson, Australia’s fastest man Rohan Browning as well as Australian discus record holder and Brisbane local, Matthew Denny who claimed six Australian All Schools titles in three events in 2012 and 2013. 

Minister for Tourism and Sport, Michael Healy, says he is looking forward to seeing Australia’s future sporting stars flock to Brisbane.

"Brisbane is thrilled to host the Chemist Warehouse Australian All Schools Championships this December, where the future stars of Australian athletics will take centre stage. This event provides a platform for young athletes to compete at a national level, chase their personal bests and gain recognition, setting them on the path to potential Olympic success."

"We are proud to support this event, which highlights the incredible talent of our school-aged athletes. It's an opportunity for them to showcase their skills and dedication, inspiring the next generation of sporting stars."

"It’s not only our athletes who benefit from this event, our visitor economy sees benefit too as this championship is set to inject more than $2 million dollars into the economy and attract nearly 5000 visitors to Brisbane."

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said he was delighted to welcome the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships 2024 to Brisbane.  
 
“Brisbane has emerged as the home of major global events, including the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, so it makes sense that we would host this fantastic national athletics event,” Cr Schrinner said.
 
“The next generation of athletes have hit the ground running and this event will showcase their skills, passion and determination while boosting Brisbane’s economy and supporting local jobs.
 
“We’re expecting more than 5000 attendees over the four-day festivities and we know they will be keen to discover everything Brisbane has to offer, from our world-class restaurants to our tourism experiences and enviable lifestyle precincts.”

Athletics Australia CEO Peter Bromley expressed his excitement of travelling to the sunshine state, stating:

“With Paris 2024 around the corner, the country is poised to catch athletics fever once again, and that inspiration will undoubtedly carry over to the school students and our spectators at the QSAC in Brisbane, making this an Australian All Schools Athletics Championships to remember.”

He added, “What is particularly exciting is that some of these athletes travelling to Brisbane for their first national competition may even return eight years later, with this being the first step in their journey to the biggest stage of all!”

The Chemist Warehouse Australian All Schools Championships is a key part of Athletics Australia’s junior participation and pathway strategy, that aims to foster talent and provide developmental opportunities for budding athletes.

More information about the 2024 edition of the championships, including qualification criteria, will be made available through our State and Territory Member Associations.

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted 1/07/2024