VANDERBIJLPARK – Athletics Vaal Triangle (AVT) has released its 2025 qualification procedures along with the official ASA minimum entry standards for athletes hoping to compete at this year’s National Track and Field Championships.

The announcement, issued on 10 January, outlines both the qualifying opportunities and the strict performance benchmarks required across all age groups.

School-going athletes must qualify at their District Championships, with Sedibeng West (D8) and Sedibeng East (D7) events scheduled for 17 and 25 February at DP de Villiers Stadium in Sasolburg.

A final qualification opportunity for school athletes will be available at the Gauteng School Championships on 7–8 March in Pretoria. Athletes may also qualify at provincial league meetings outside Gauteng, provided complete results are submitted to AVT.

Athletes who did not qualify to compete at district level may still participate on 25 February in club colours, provided they hold a valid 2025 ASA licence and register their intention before 21 February.

Non-school athletes must qualify at league meetings in other provinces, while university athletes may meet the standards at the USSA Championships in Pietermaritzburg from 10–12 April.

AVT Chairperson Tracey Olivier emphasised that only registered 2025 club members from Vaal Triangle clubs who meet ASA’s revised standards will be considered.

No athlete who falls short of the standards will be included, and all travel and participation costs remain for athletes’ own accounts.

Multi-event athletes must also provide proof that they have competed in all required disciplines this season and achieved acceptable marks.

The ASA qualifying criteria cover sprint, middle-distance, long-distance, hurdles, steeplechase, walks, and all field events. Standards vary by age and gender.

For sprint events, boys’ U16 athletes must run 100m in 11.50 or faster, while senior men must achieve 10.60. In the girls’ U18 category, the 100m standard is 12.40, with senior women required to meet 12.20.

Middle-distance events include benchmarks such as 2:02.00 in the 800m for senior men and 2:10.00 for senior women.

Field event standards include 6.10m for boys’ U18 long jump, 11.00m for girls’ U18 triple jump, 1.55m for girls’ U18 high jump, 14.80m for senior men’s shot put, and 41.00m for senior women’s hammer throw.

Each age division has clearly defined performance requirements, ensuring only athletes of national standard advance.

Olivier encouraged athletes to verify their performances against the published standards and submit results early, wishing all competitors a productive and successful athletics season as National Championships draw near.