Cross Country
Lauriston Girls’ School - Handbook 2026
Welcome to 2026 Cross Country
Welcome to Cross Country for 2026. At Lauriston, our program encompasses all middle- and longdistance running disciples, providing a comprehensive training foundation for our diverse competition schedule across terms 1 and 2.
Whether your objective is to enhance your personal fitness, or to represent the school at the elite level in Athletics Victoria competitions, we offer an inclusive and differentiated program tailored to all ability levels. Our program is designed to build a robust aerobic base, whilst fostering a collaborative team environment.
We look forward to supporting your athletic development and seeing you at training this season.
Sam Clark Head of Athletics
Contacts
Sam Clark
Head of Athletics clarksa@lauriston.vic.edu.au
Karen Moir
Country Coach moirka@lauriston.vic.edu.au
Charlotte Senior
Country Captain seniorch@lauriston.vic.edu.au
Training Sessions & Requirements
In term 2, we offer three sport-specific cross-country sessions per week.
Attendance Policy
To ensure adequate preparation and progression, it is a requirement that all athletes attend a minimum of two sessions weekly. Please note students also must have Consent2Go completed and accepted. All questions related to sign-ups and Consent2Go, please contact Mr Lovett (lovettli@lauriston.vic.edu.au).
Attendance Notifications
If you are unable to meet this requirement, please notify Sam directly via email.
Prompt Commencements
For our Wednesday and Friday morning sessions, please arrive by 6:30am sharp. This allows us to commence training promptly and complete the full technical program/warm up.
Strength and Conditioning Sessions
It is also recommended that students attend at least one strength and conditioning session with Tom Foulds our head of Strength and conditioning to reduce injury risk and manage running load. If you have any questions regarding S&C, please contact Tom via email (fouldsth@lauriston.vic.edu.au).
Training Absence
If you are absent for a session and wish to complete a session in your own time, please email Sam or Karen who will provide you with a supplement session.
Our Training Schedule Day Monday Wednesday Friday
Time 3:10pm – 5:30pm 6:30am – 7:45am 6:30am – 7:45am
Location The Tan Kooyong Park Anderson Park
Transportation Students will be transported to and from the tan via bus.
Please email Sam if you are being picked up from the venue at the completion of the session.
Students will meet in the Sir Zelman Cowen car park and leave their bags on the bus.
Students will be transported from the venue back to Lauriston via a bus.
Students will meet at Anderson Park and will be transported from the venue back to Lauriston via a bus.
Scheduled Practice Meets
In addition to our training schedule, we also offer PB meets which are internal against other GSV schools in preparation for GSV cross country. Students are required to attend a minimum of 1 of the following PB meets before the preliminary GSV carnival day
Day Tuesday 28 April
Tuesday 5 May
Time 3:10pm – 5:30pm 3:10pm – 5:30pm
Location The Tan The Tan
Transportation Students will be transported to and from the tan via bus.
Please email Sam if you are being picked up from the venue at the completion of the session.
Training & Cancellation of Sessions
Sessions are only cancelled in the event of hail and/or electrical storms. Notifications of cancellations will happen via Clipboard.
An email will also be sent out to students and parents by 6:15am.
Please note: sessions will still run in the event of light rain.
Extreme Weather Policies
In line with Athletics Australia’s Weather Policy; Lightning, Heat, Air Quality, Rain/Wind protocols will be followed.
Lauriston Uniform and Footwear
Uniform: For training sessions, students will be required to arrive in appropriate Lauriston sports uniform.
For GSV and Athletics Victoria competition days, students will be required to wear the Lauriston Athletics/X-Country singlet. In addition, to promote our team, students will also be provided with a gold Lauriston ribbon.
If you do not own the Lauriston Singlet Here is the following link for purchase: Lauriston Athletics/Xcountry singlet
Footwear: To minimise the risk of foot and ankle injuries, it is essential that students arrive in appropriate running footwear. As sessions take place on both track and grass surfaces, a supportive stable running shoe is required.
For specific brand or type recommendations, please contact Sam or Karen.
Competitions
Lauriston Cross Country Competitions are categorised into three areas of interest.
House Cross Country
Week 9: Monday 23 March (8:30am – 12:30pm)
All students in year 7-12 will participate in the 3km event at Sir Zelman Cowen Reserve at Kooyong Park.
It is imperative that athletes intending to compete in GSV Cross country participate in the House Cross Country event, as these results are formally recorded and utilised for GSV team selection.
GSV Cross Country
All students in our cross- country training group are part of our cross-country team and will all run at the preliminary championship cross country carnivals.
GSV Cross country is split up into two competitions, our preliminary and championship competition.
2026 Preliminary Cross Country Carnival:
Day / Date Tuesday 19 May (Week 5)
Time 10:00am
Location Yarra Bend Park, Fairfield
• Juniors will complete 3km which makes up one small loop and one large loop.
• Inters and Seniors will complete 4km which makes up two large loops.
2026 Championship Cross Carnival:
Day / Date Friday 29 May (Week 6)
Time TBC
Location Cruden Farm, Langwarrin
• Juniors will complete one 3km loop.
• Inters and Seniors will complete one 4km loop.
Athletics Victoria & Australia Competitions
Competition 2026 Victorian All Schools Road Relay Championships
2026 Victorian All Schools Cross Country Relay Championships
2026 Victorian All School Cross Country Championships
Day Saturday 2 May Saturday 23 May Saturday 20 June
Time 10:00am – 2:00pm 10:00am – 2:00pm 10:00am – 2:00pm
Location Princes Park, Carlton North, VIC 3054 Jells Park, Waverley Road, Wheelers Hill, 3150 (entry Waverley Rd or Ferntree Gully Rd)
Bundoora Park, Bundoora, VIC 3083
Competition 2026 Australian Athletics Cross Country Championships 2026 Australian Athletics Cross Country Relays
Day Saturday 22 August Sunday 23 August
Time 9:00am – 5:00pm 11:00am – 3:00pm
Location Victoria Park, Ballarat, Victoria Victoria Park, Ballarat, Victoria
Please note:
• All Lauriston Cross Country team members are invited to compete in the Victorian Road Relay Championships.
• Participation in the Victorian Cross Country Relays is based on selection for designated students.
• Individual invitations will be issued to students for the Victorian Cross Country Championships.
• Participation in the National Cross Country Championships requires qualification and selection via results at the Victorian Cross Country Championships.
Athlete Wellness & Safety
Injury Management
At Lauriston, load management and the long-term development of student athletes is our top priority. Given the demanding nature of middle- and long-distance running, it is essential that students report any injury to our coaching team.
To mitigate pre-existing injuries at our training sessions; our coaching team are more than happy to modify or recommend changes to training load. In addition, coaches will ensure adequate screening is taken place at training and recommend seeking a professional opinion if required.
Nutrition
At Lauriston, we recognise that well-planned eating practices are fundamental to an athlete’s ability to train effectively, remain injury-free, and perform at their best.
Nutrition is not just about fuelling effectively for competition; it is critical for long-term athletic development.
Core Principles of Athlete Nutrition
To support the demands of running, athletes should focus on the following areas:
1. Optimal energy availability
2. Strategic Recovery
3. Hydration
As part of our commitment to athlete education, we encourage students and parents to utilise the resources provided by the AIS Nutrition portal. This resource offers performance nutrition models, evidence-based recipes and supplement guidance.
By integrating these standards, we aim to empower our athletes to take ownership of their preparation to fuel their cross-country journey towards their personal best.
Running tip: New research has recently found that the best post-training refuelling supplement is Chocolate Milk! It’s 3:1 Carbohydrate: Protein ratio makes it a suitable option post- training
2026 Lauriston Cross-Country Dates
Summary of 2026 Lauriston Cross-country Dates
Date Time Location Training/Competition Term 1
Monday, 23rd March 8:30-12:30pm Kooyong Park House Cross Country
Wednesday, 25th March 6:30am – 8:00am Kooyong Park XCR training
Friday, 25th March 6:30am – 8:00am St Kevin’s Tooronga Playing fields XCR training
Monday, 30th March 3:10pm – 5:00pm Malvern Gardens XCR training
Wednesday, 1st April 6:30am – 8:00am Kooyong Park XCR training Holiday Training
Tuesday, 7th April 9:30am – 11:00am Kooyong Park XCR Holiday training
Thursday, 9th April 9:30am – 11:00am Kooyong Park XCR Holiday training
Tuesday, 14th April 9:30am – 11:00am Yarra Bend Park, Fairfield XCR Holiday training
Thursday 16th April 9:30am – 11:00 am Kooyong Park XCR Holiday training Term 2
Wednesday 22nd April 6:30am – 8:00am Kooyong Park XCR training
Friday, 24th April 6:30am – 8:00am Anderson Park XCR training
Monday, 27th April 3:10pm – 5:00pm The Tan XCR training
Tuesday, 28th April 3:10pm – 5:30pm The Tan XCR Practise meet
Wednesday, 29th April 6:30am – 8:00am Kooyong Park XCR training
Friday, 1st May 6:30am – 8:00am Anderson Park XCR training
Saturday 2nd May 10:00am – 2:00pm Princes Park, Carlton VIC All Schools Road Relay Championships
Monday, 4th May 3:10pm – 5:00pm The Tan XCR training
Tuesday, 5th May 3:10pm – 5:30pm The Tan XCR Practise meet
Wednesday, 6th May 6:30am – 8:00am Kooyong Park XCR training
Friday, 8th May 6:30am – 8:00am Anderson Park XCR training
Monday, 11th May 3:10pm – 5:00pm The Tan XCR training
Wednesday 13th May 6:30am – 8:00am Kooyong Park XCR training
Friday, 15th May 6:30am – 8:00am Anderson Park XCR training
Monday, 18th May 3:10pm – 5:00pm LGS - Armadale XCR training
Tuesday, 19th May 10:00am – 12:00pm Yarra Bend
GSV Preliminary XCR
Wednesday, 20th May 6:30am – 8:00am Kooyong Park XCR training
Friday, 22nd May 9:00am – 3:00pm Duncan Mackinnon SS House Athletics
Saturday, 23rd May 10:00am – 2:00pm Jells Park, Wheelers Hill
VIC All Schools Cross Country Relay Championships
Monday, 25th May 3:10pm – 5:00pm The Tan XCR training
Wednesday, 27th May 6:30am – 8:00am Kooyong Park XCR training
Friday, 29th May 9:00am – 3:00pm Cruden Farms
GSV XCR Championship
Monday, 1st June 3:10pm – 5:00pm The Tan XCR training
Wednesday, 3rd June 6:30am – 8:00am Kooyong Park XCR training
Friday, 5th June 6:30am – 8:00am Anderson Park XCR training
Wednesday, 10th June 6:30am – 8:00am Kooyong Park XCR training
Friday, 12th June 6:30am – 8:00am St Kevin’s Tooronga Playing fields XCR training
Monday, 15th June 3:10pm – 5:00pm The Tan XCR training
Wednesday, 17th June 6:30am – 8:00am Kooyong Park XCR training
Friday, 19th June 6:30am – 8:00am St Kevin’s Tooronga Playing fields XCR training
Saturday, 20th June 10:00am – 2:00pm Bundoora Park VIC All School Cross Country Championships
Monday, 22nd June 3:10pm – 5:00pm The Tan XCR training Wednesday, 24th June 6:30am – 8:00am Kooyong Park XCR training
Friday, 26th June 6:30am – 8:00am St Kevin’s Tooronga Playing fields XCR training
Term 3
Saturday, 22nd August 9:00am – 5:00pm Victoria Park, Ballarat, Victoria Australian Athletics Cross Country Championships
Sunday, 23rd August 11:00am – 3:00pm Victoria Park, Ballarat, Victoria Australian Athletics Cross Country Relays
