(As amended 2nd April 2020 – Clause 12.4)
- Introduction
- The By-Laws and Regulations of the Australian Federation of Race Walking Clubs Inc. (known as Race Walking Australia (RWA)) provide for the day to day operations of RWA.
- Changes to these By-Laws and Regulations can be made at any time by the Executive and Management Committee of RWA. However any such change(s) made throughout the operational year shall be presented to the Annual General Conference for endorsement or otherwise.
- Objects
- To promote athletics, and in particular race walking, as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Athletics Australia Inc.
- To establish and maintain cordial relations with other sporting bodies.
- Status
The Australian Federation of Race Walking Clubs Inc. is an independent athletics body that seeks to work cooperatively with other Australian athletics bodies for the betterment of race walking in Australia and internationally.
- Membership
4.1 Membership shall consist of Race Walking Clubs of the States and Territories of Australia and other walking clubs as deemed suitable by the Annual General Conference of the Federation. As of 11th June 2018 the following clubs are members:
4.1.1 ACT Race and Fitness Walking Club Inc.*
4.1.2 NSW Race Walking Club*
4.1.3 Queensland Race Walking Club Inc.*
4.1.4 South Australian Race Walking Club Inc.*
4.1.5 Race Walking Tasmania Inc.*
4.1.6 Race Walking Victoria Inc.*(as at 16th June 2021 known as the Victorian Race Walking Club Inc.)
4.1.7 West Australian Race Walking Club Inc.*
4.1.8 Australian Centurion Walkers Inc. (admitted 2005).
Note: 1) Those shown with an * indicate the original club in the state or territory.
2) The Australian Centurion Walkers Inc. is considered an Associate Member Club.
4.2 To apply to become a member of the Federation Clubs seeking membership must satisfy the following:
4.2.1 Provide proof of Public Liability Cover;
4.2.2 Provide a copy of their current Constitution;
4.2.3 Must show evidence that they are affiliated with their respective State association; and
4.2.4 Must submit their name and proposed club racing colours.
4.3 Once an application is received details of the application shall be forwarded to all existing clubs of the Federation. A club may object to the application, but not limited, on the following grounds:
4.3.1 If the uniform/colours of the applicant are similar to an existing club uniform;
4.3.2 If the name of the applicant is similar to the name of any existing club.
4.4 An applicant will be accepted as a member of the Federation upon receipt of a ¾ majority vote from existing members, in a secret ballot, held at an Annual General Conference.
- Life Members
- Any Member Club, not an individual, may propose an individual for Life Membership of the Federation and in so doing, must submit a written statement setting out the qualifications of the person being nominated;
- The person proposed must have been a financial member of a Member Club for at least 20 years as at the date of submission and currently be a member of a Member Club;
- The person proposed must be a current Merit Award holder of the Federation;
- The person proposed must have shown exceptional service to the Federation over an extended period of time. It should be noted that competitive years do not constitute a qualification for Life Membership;
- The application must be submitted to the Secretary of the Federation at least 42 days prior to the date of the Annual General Conference;
- Following receipt of the application the application will be forwarded to a Special Investigation Committee (SIC) formed by existing Life Members of the Federation and the Executive of whom three (3) shall form a quorum;
- The SIC shall consider the application and by a ¾ ths majority by secret ballot either:
- Recommended that the nomination be forwarded to and be considered by the Annual General Conference of the Federation; or
- Recommend that the nomination be withdrawn.
- If the nomination is to proceed to the Annual General Conference then notice of this must be contained within the notice of meeting of the Annual General Conference;
- The vote for election to Life Membership at the Annual General Conference shall be by secret ballot and a 7/8 ths majority must be obtained for the recommendation to be effective;
- There will be no more than two nominations in any one year to be considered by the Annual General Conference;
- Upon election to Life Member status the Life Member shall be entitled to attend all functions of the Federation;
- A Life Member Medallion shall be presented to the newly appointed Life Member; and
- A list of current Life Members shall be kept by the Secretary of the Federation.
- Merit Awards
- The Merit Awards recognise contribution to the Federation in one or more of the following categories:
- Officiating. Examples include, but are not limited to, a long standing and key organiser in the Canberra Carnival Organising Committee, a regular official at Federation events such as a timekeeper at the Canberra Carnival every year or a regular judge at the Federation events;
- Administration. Examples include, but are not limited to, Federation management (e.g. President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Trophy Officer, Sub Committee membership), Member Club Delegate at the Federation Annual General Conference or a member of the Management Committee of the Federation;
- Competition. An example may be a regular competitor at the Canberra Carnival;
- There are four levels of award:
- 15 years – Green Bar;
- 25 years – Red Bar;
- 40 years – Blue Bar; and
- 50 years – Gold Bar.
- Any person being nominated for a Merit Award must be a current financial member of a Member Club and must be nominated by the Executive of one of the Member Clubs.
- The holder of a Federation Merit Award is a prerequisite for any member proposed for Life Membership. Life members remain eligible for further merit awards.
- The application must be submitted to the Secretary of the Federation at least 42 days prior to the date of the Annual General Conference and will be forwarded to the Special Investigation Committee for consideration and recommendation to the Executive.
- Officers and Office Bearers of the Federation
- Officers of the Federation will be: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer;
- Office Bearers will consist of one representative per Member Club who shall be appointed to the Management Committee of the Federation at the Annual General Conference;
- The Management Committee shall consist of Officers and Office Bearers.
- Quorum for Meetings
8.1 For the Annual General Conference and all general meetings the quorum shall be eight (8) consisting of at least two (2) Officers and at least six (6) representatives from at least two Member Clubs; and
8.2 For Management Committee meetings the quorum shall be six (6) consisting of at least two (2) Officers and four (4) Office Bearers.
- Financial Support to Athletes and for other purposes
Two funds exist to provide financial support to athletes and others. They are the Alf Robinson Memorial Race Walking Foundation and the Peter Waddell Trust Fund. Information on these funds can be found in the attachments to these By-Laws/Regulations.
- Australian Centurions
- The Federation officially recognises Australian track best on record performances for the following Ultra Distances for both men and women:
- 50 miles, 100 Km, 100 Miles, 200 Km, 500 Km; and
- 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours 5 days.
- These best on record performances will be maintained by the Australian Centurions Secretary and a suitable plaque or certificate will be made up to officially recognize these performances.
- Competition Rules
- The Federation shall conduct the following competitions:
- Canberra Carnival (Schedule #1):
| CATEGORY | DISTANCE | PERPETUAL TROPHIES |
| Open | 30 kms | Individual (Peter Waddell Trophy) and Teams (Campbell Shield) |
| Open | 30 kms | Handicap (Nigel Crew Trophy) |
| Masters | 30 kms | Teams (Duncan Knox Trophy) |
| Masters Men | 15 kms | Individual (Unnamed) |
| Open Men | 15 kms | Individual (Unnamed) and Teams (Unnamed) |
| Open Men | 5 Kms | Individual (Unnamed) and Teams (Unnamed) |
| Masters Men | 5 Kms | Individual (Unnamed) and Teams (Unnamed) |
| Under 20 Men | 10 kms | Individual (Unnamed) and Teams (Robinson Shield) |
| Under 18 Boys | 5 kms | Individual (Unnamed) and Teams (David Smith Trophy) |
| Under 16 Boys | 3 kms | Individual (Unnamed) and Teams (Robin Whyte Trophy) |
| Under 14 Boys | 2 kms | Individual (Bill Starr Trophy) and Teams (Willi Sawell Trophy |
| Under 12 Boys | 2 kms | Individual (Unnamed) and Teams (Tim Erickson Trophy) |
| Under 10 Boys | 1 km | Individual (Unnamed) and Teams (Unnamed) |
| Open Women | 30 kms | Individual (Unnamed) |
| Open Women | 15 kms | Individual (Unnamed and Teams (Kerry Saxby-Junna Trophy) |
| Masters Women | 15 kms | Individual (Unnamed) |
| Open Women | 5 kms | Individual (Lake Burley Griffen Trophy) and Teams (Unnamed) |
| Masters Women | 5 kms | Teams (Vecellio Trophy) |
| Under 18 Girls | 5 kms | Individual (Unnamed) and Teams (Mitchell Trophy) |
| Under 16 Girls | 3 kms | Individual (Unnamed) and Teams (Huxley Trophy) |
| Under 14 Girls | 2 kms | Individual (Bob Cruise Trophy) and Teams (Unnamed) |
| Under 12 Girls | 2 kms | Individual (Unnamed) and Teams (Unnamed) |
| Under 10 Girls | 1 km. | Individual (Unnamed) and Teams (Unnamed) |
- ‘Second’ Federation (Schedule # 2)
| CATEGORY | DISTANCE | PERPETUAL TROPHIES |
| Open Men | 20 kms | Individual and Teams (Glover Shield) |
| Open Women | 10 kms | Individual and Teams (Carrington Trophy) |
| Under 20 Men | 10 kms | Individual and Teams (Troy Sunstrom Trophy) |
| Under 20 Women | 10 kms | Individual and Teams (Jane Saville Trophy) |
| Under 18 Boys | 10 kms | Individual and Teams (Nathan Deakes Trophy) |
| Under 18 Girls | 5 kms | Individual and Teams (Jacobsen Trophy) |
| Under 16 Boys | 5 klms | Individual and Teams (Goble Trophy) |
| Under 16 Girls | 5 kms | Individual and Teams (Knight Trophy) |
| Under 14 Boys | 3 kms | Individual and Teams (Ron Crawford Trophy) |
| Under 14 Girls | 3 kms | Individual and Teams (Deanna Rahill Trophy) |
| Under 12 Boys | 2 kms | Individual and Teams (Unnamed) |
| Under 12 Girls | 2 kms | Individual and Teams (Unnamed) |
- Schedule # 1 events are conducted each year in the Australian Capital Territory as part of the Lake Burley Griffen Race Walking Carnival on the Queens Birthday weekend in June.
- Schedule #2 events will be held in either July, August or September each year. The host club for this schedule will be confirmed at the Annual General Conference in the year prior to competition;
- A 50 km event for Open Women may also be conducted during the year in conjunction with another 50 km event;
- The Federation will conduct a postal match during the winter each year. Details are found in the attachment separate to these By-Laws/Regulations;
- The Federation will hold a 100 km track championships for men and women each year, in conjunction with the Australian Centurions 24 Hour carnival;
- Entries and Eligibility
12.1 Age for all competitions will be “Age on the Day” unless the carnival is held jointly with Athletics Australia. In this case age will be as of the 31st December of the current year and will be enforced.
- A Member Club can enter any number of competitors in Federation events;
- Entries for all Federation events close 14 days prior to the date of competition on official entry forms or via electronic entry means as appropriate accompanied by the designated entry fee;
- Entries may be submitted via electronic means or in writing by the Member Club Secretary and must nominate all competitors and include an expected finishing time for each competitor for that particular event distance.
- The expected time shall be the best performed time for that athlete over the RWA entered event distance during the past six months in any competition
- Where an athlete has not recorded a performance over the RWA entered race distance then the expected finishing time for that athlete shall be based on the average time per kilometre for the next lower (lesser) distance plus 5%.
| Entered RWA Race Distance | Lesser Race Distance |
| 2 km | 1 km or 1000 or 1500 metres |
| 3 km | 2000 metres or 2 kms or any of the above |
| 5 km | 3000 metres or 3 kms or any of the above |
| 10 km | 5 Kms or 5000 metres or the above |
| 20 km | 10 Kms or 10000 metres |
| 30 km | 20 kms or 20000 metres or the above |
- The expected finishing time for a second event of the same distance shall be the same as that submitted for the first event. That is no allowances shall be made for second events of the same distance.
- The current practice that athletes finishing in 1st, 2nd or 3rd position in the individual race category shall not be eligible for handicap trophies shall remain.
- The Executive and/or a designated member of the Organising Committee of the RWA event may carry out random checks on expected finishing times submitted by AFRWC Clubs and to ask that club to reconsider the submitted expected finishing time(s) if the Executive or Organising Committee members so require.
- Entries received without handicaps shall be ineligible for handicap trophies;
- Late entries may be accepted at a race fee to be determined by the Host Club. Late entrants will NOT be eligible for either team or handicap awards but will be eligible for outright/individual placings;
- All competitors must wear the uniform of their member Club unless they are also competing for their state in an Australian Championship, in which case the State uniform must be worn. An Institute of Sport badge may be worn.
- Athletes can only nominate and compete for one Member Club per calendar year.
- Any new member of the Federation wishing to compete for a Federation Club in a Federation Team event must have been resident in Australian for at least six (6) weeks and must have been a member of that Federation Club for at least four (4) weeks;
- A Country association or walking club from outside Australia may enter Federation events. Any country may be invited to participate as honorary members. They may enter as individuals and in team events. They will also be eligible for medals. However, Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will also be awarded to the top finishing Federation member athletes who complete the event.
- Medals and Trophies
- The Host Club will provide the minimum number of Federation medals for all events as follows
- Gold, Silver and Bronze medals for first, second and third placed individuals; and
13.1.2 Gold, Silver and Bronze medals for first, second and third placed team members.
- Only the first three members of a team who successfully complete the event will receive team medals;
- Less than three (3) walkers from the same Member Club at the start line does not constitute a team. However, in Schedule #1 events, the Open 30 kms and the 15 kms for women will be scored differently in that two (2) finishers can make a team, providing that there are three (3) or more starters.
- First, second and third handicap place getters shall be awarded trophies, such trophies to be provided by the Host Club. Athletes who receive individual medals are ineligible for handicap trophies,;
- All repairs and replacement of Federation Perpetual Trophies shall be paid for by the Federation.
- Team Points/Brennen Trophy Points
- Team points for Federation events are scored as follows:
- To be eligible to receive team points a Member Club must have three (3) team finishers;
- The winner of the race receives points equal to 3 times the number of teams completing the event plus one. Second place receives two (2) fewer points, third place receives three (3) fewer than first place and so on. No points are allocated to athletes who are not part of a finishing team;
- Team points are totalled for teams of three (3) finishing athletes and they shall be placed in order. Only then shall teams with only two finishing athletes be totalled and they shall then be placed in order but only after those teams with three (3) finishing athletes; and
- Member Clubs may have more than one team receiving points i.e. the first three finishers of a member Club constitutes Team 1 (say NSWRWC1), the second three athletes of the same Member Club constitutes Team 2 (say NSWRWC2) of that same Member Club.
14.2 Team Points for the Brennen Shield are scored as follows:
14.2.1 The Brennen Shield is contested by the number one team of each Member Club in each event. Points are allocated as follows:
- The first team receives points equal to three times the number of Member Clubs of the Federation (currently seven (7) as at 2018) plus one (1), the second two (2) points less, the third three (3) points less and so on;
- In the event of a tie the team finishing its three members first shall be deemed the winner;
- Individual entries, irrespective of finishing place, shall not be allocated a team place.
- Judging and Protests
- Judging procedure will be the same as laid down by Athletics Australia governing Australian Championships, Commonwealth and Olympic trials;
- Protests against any result must be in writing and submitted to the Meet Manager within 30 minutes of such result being officially announced.
- Courses
All events must be held on suitable courses
- Insurance
Every Member Club who nominates to conduct a Federation Carnival must show proof of their Certificate of Currency of Insurance cover. The amount of cover to be that as set out in the state/territory in which that Member Club is incorporated.
Amended by: Dr Bob Cruise, President 28th June 2018.
Dr Bob Cruise, President 2nd April 2020.
Dr Bob Cruise, President 16th June 2021.
Attachment One:
The Alf Robinson Memorial Race Walking Foundation
- Introduction:
When former Race Walking Australia President Alf Robinson died in 1977 a foundation was set up, seeded by an initial sum of money donated by Mr. Harold and Mrs Cora Brennen. This foundation was designated ‘The Alf Robinson Memorial Race Walking Foundation’.
It was envisaged that the interest from this foundation would be used on an ongoing basis to assist Australian race walkers on the international stage. Both Athletics Australia and Race Walking Australia view this foundation as a development fund which should focus on either our most promising junior walkers or those open aged walkers under the age of 25 years who show the potential to achieve internationally.
The funds within the Alf Robinson Memorial Race Walking Foundation are held in trust by Athletics Australia and are administered by a Board of Trustees made up of representatives of Athletics Australia and Race Walking Australia.
- Principles:
- The real return from the investment i.e. the interest received less inflation, may be used each year to assist walkers and/or Athletic Australia walking teams to obtain competitive experience to develop their abilities, but not to obtain competition within Australia;
- The Athletics Australia Treasurer shall advise the Athletics Australia Competition Manager of the maximum amount available for distribution as at 1st July each year. The money not used at 30 June in the following year shall be capitalised into the fund; and
- The Fund cannot be used to finance walkers to take part in the World Open Track and Field Championships, Olympic Games or the Commonwealth Games.
- Administration of the Fund:
- Athletics Australia, in conjunction with Race Walking Australia, will announce a yearly cut-off date (normally 1st August) for Foundation submissions and will provide a suitably configured Athletics Australia website online panel by which applicants can submit grant applications;
- Grant applications are to be made directly to Athletics Australia via the Athletics Australia website;
- The application shall state:
- The overseas competition in which the walker wishes to participate and the planned cost of the tour;
- His/her three best performances in his/her particular event; and
- Details of his/her last three performances in his/her particular event.
- When the submission closure date has passed the Athletics Australia Competition Manager will ask the Foundation Trustees to review all nominations. The Athletics Australia Treasurer will advise the amount of money available for distribution;
- The Foundation Trustees will consider the applications and advise the Athletics Australia Competition Manager of their recommendation;
- The Athletics Australia Competition Manager will confirm the decision or not as he/she sees fit.
- Costs of the Fund:
The costs of administering the Fund may be taken from the Fund income. The amount of the administration fee may be determined by the Board from time to time, but not to exceed 10% of the grants allocated in any one year.
- Authority:
The Board to have the authority to use income from the Fund to promote the Fund in an endeavour to obtain further donations to add to the Fund.
- Limitations:
- As the Australian Federation of Race Walking Australia Clubs Inc.has been charged with the responsibility of developing, promoting and increasing the Fund, athletes applying for assistance should be members of the Walking Clubs who are members of the Australian Federation of Race Walking Clubs Inc.;
- Members receiving assistance shall have been full financial members of a Member Club for at least two years prior to selection by the Selectors and shall have competed during that period in approximately 50% of Club fixtures for which they are eligible, or by dispensation from the Annual General Conference of the Federation;
- It is open to an Australian walker to make application for assistance from the Fund if he/she is at the time temporarily residing out of Australia; and
- Only one grant shall be made to an athlete in a financial year.
Attachment Two:
The Peter Waddell Trust Fund
- Introduction:
When former Race Walking Australia President Peter Waddell died in 2002, many members of the Federation felt that his memory should be honoured in some concrete way. A motion was subsequently unanimously passed, at the 2006 Race Walking Australia AGC, to establish a Trust Fund. The Fund was designated ‘The Peter Waddell Trust Fund’.
The funds within the Peter Waddell Trust Fund are held in trust by Race Walking Australia and are administered by a Board of three Trustees, namely the Federation Secretary, the Federation Patron and one other Federation member who is elected at the AGC.
- Principles:
- The real return from The Peter Waddell Trust Fund i.e. the interest income received, may be used each year to help grow the sport of race walking in Australia;
- The Race Walking Australia Treasurer shall advise the Trustees of the maximum amount available for distribution at 1st April each year. Any of this money not used by the 1st April in following year shall be capitalised into the fund;
- Member Clubs will be invited to submit applications for initiatives that target and seek to advance the sport of race walking in Australia. Written applications are to be forwarded to the Federation Secretary.
- Funding shall be for, but not limited to, activities that enrich the sport of race walking, such as:
- Training Camps run by Federation Member Clubs;
- Race walk judging Seminars;
- Race walk Coaching Seminars;
- Initiatives targeting race walking junior development; and
- Contributing to shared concept events like the Oceania Race Walking Trophy or the Australian Race Walking Series.