🏃 22 Of Australia’s Biggest Pro-Running Meets
🏆 Home Of The Historical @stawellgift
👀 Season 26/27 Begins October 24th!
🎟️ Rego Opens Soon
The Victorian Athletic League (VAL) conduct athletic carnivals known as Gifts (historically called professional Athletics or Pro's) across the state of Victoria. Gift races allow athletes of all abilities to compete in a fun, competitive and social environment. Each athlete is given a mark (handicap) based on their ability, giving them an equal opportunity to triumph in their chosen event. All events include prize money. Prize money varies in each event and can range from $300 to $60,000.
25/08/2026
The Victorian Athletic League are inviting expressions of interest for a Distance Handicapper for season 2026/27.
Expressions of interest close this Friday August 28th.
To learn more, or to express your interest, please email Colin at [email protected]
24/08/2026
The countdown to season 2026/27 starts now ⏳
20/08/2026
No umpires = no AFL
No referees = no NBL
No stewards = no VAL
Stewards are needed for the 2026/27 season.
The commitment can range from one meeting to every meeting, depending on your availability.
The role involves watching for interference and ensuring general adherence to the rules of racing. With the introduction of the Race Review Panel, stewarding is also less onerous than it may have been in the past.
No previous experience is required, and a small honorarium may be provided in recognition of your time and effort.
Plus, you’ll have one of the best seats in the house.
To express your interest, email [email protected].
18/08/2026
🚨 MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨
The Victorian Athletic League Board is delighted to announce the appointment of former athlete Allan Cook as Chairman of the newly established Race Review Panel (RRP)!
This independent committee marks one of the most significant structural changes to race management in VAL history, bringing expanded oversight to protect the fairness, transparency, and compliance of professional running.
👉 What is the RRP?
The panel introduces a new era of data-driven integrity:
🔹 Enhancing League Integrity: Ensuring everyone races on their merits.
🔹 Relieving Race-Day Pressure: Shifting complex adjudication away from the trackside to allow for deeper, post-race scrutiny.
🔹 Data-Driven Decisions: Analysing electronic timing and historical performance data accurately.
🔹 Boosting Participation: Building a level, trustworthy playing field for athletes, trainers, and stewards alike.
A Message from VAL President Charlie Sutherland:
"The establishment of the Race Review Panel represents one of the biggest changes arguably to the management of races in the history of the league. To lead this new era, we have the perfect candidate in Allan Cook. I want to thank the VAL Board for their vision in establishing this crucial independent panel. Most importantly, I want to thank Allan for stepping into this vital role. His rare combination of world-class athletic success and decades of experience officiating in Australian sport makes him uniquely qualified to lead us forward."
About Chairman Allan Cook:
🥇 World Champion: 2013 M50 1500m World Champion, 10-time National Masters Champion, & 12-time Victorian Masters Champion.
⏱️ Stawell Legend: Holds the record for the longest span between Stawell wins for a middle-distance runner (1985 to 2007), alongside 21 career sashes.
🏉 Elite Officiator: 256 AFL games umpired (including the '95, '96, and '97 Grand Finals) and current VFL Match-Day Coach.
👟 Expert Coach: Level 3 middle-distance coach and Cert 3 Personal Trainer.
Please join us in welcoming Allan to this vital role as we step into a stronger future for professional running! 🙌
Have you picked up your copy of “That Race” yet?
The book by VAL runner and former board member David Griffin has authored this incredible book reliving the 1996 Stawell Gift Women’s 400m final, telling the stories of the 7 finalists, as well as 8 other athletes from all different sports who’s journeys will stay with us.
Purchase your copy by heading to bit.ly/purchase-that-race
What a season for the 2026 VAL Medalist! 👏
From a 24/25 season full of second and third place finishes, to a 25/26 season where she looked unbeatable.
A double at her home Gift in Seymour, and a win at Stawell, alongside other victories.
Lucy Zotti, your Athlete Of The Year for 2026, and 2026 VAL Medalist! 💪👑
It was an impressive victory for the evergreen Dion Paull!
The Master’s Performance Of The Year for the 2025 Seymour Gift winner!
It was one of the photo finishes of the year 🔥🔥
One of the brilliant performances of a brilliant season for young Jack Densley, your 2026 Male Junior Athlete Of The Year!
A consistent performer, week in, week out 💪
Ruby Crisp, the 2026 Female Sprinter Of The Year!
A gutsy Easter Monday win for Fraser Stott, to cap off an incredible season 💪🏻
Your 2026 Male Sprinter Of The Year!
| Monday | 9am - 5pm |
| Tuesday | 9am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 9am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 9am - 5pm |
| Friday | 9am - 5pm |
