Waverley Little Athletics Centre Inc.

Family, Fun and Fitness since 12 November 1968
Victoria's Premier Grass Track

Profile

Mark Tregellas

Mark Tregellas is a Past Athlete of the Waverley Little Athletics Centre Inc.

Born in 1960, Mark Tregellas grew up in Syndal, then a new and semi-rural suburb on the outskirts of Melbourne. Being only four years after the Melbourne Olympics, athletics had become as popular as cricket and football. Mark started athletics in 1966 and can remember hundreds of kids competing at Waverley every Saturday.

Mark had a natural athletic ability and competed in 100 metres, 200 metres, relays, high jump, triple jump, and hurdles. The high and triple jumps quickly became his favourites and Mark still holds the Little Athletics Centre record for the boys under 12 Triple Jump at 11.15 metres.

Mark competed and won both state and national titles over several years. Although he did better at Triple jump it was the High jump that he loved the most. In 1976 he was chosen as the vice-captain for the Victorian All Schools team to compete in Sydney. In 1978 Mark had to make the decision as to whether or not to train for the 1980 Olympics in Moscow or 1984 in Los Angeles. At this time there was no Institute of Sport or any other incentives apart from the desire to compete at the highest level. There were not even any dedicated High Jump coaches available with whom to train.

Mark had made the Commonwealth Games qualifying height in the High Jump at 215 cm on natural ability alone but instead decided to travel and in 1980 left Australia.

Mark returned home in 1983 where he joined the 2nd Commando Company in Williamstown qualifying for his Green Beret. In 1985 Mark joined the Victoria Police Force where he remains to this day, as a Leading Senior Constable. Mark is also currently the President of the Mallacoota RSL Club.

Mark returned briefly to Athletics in 1986 winning the Victorian Police Games Decathlon, and then the High Jump at the International Police Olympics in Sydney where he broke and still holds the record at 208 cm.

Mark is married and has three girls. He lives and works in Mallacoota where he has had a diverse and decorated career.

Extended thanks to Mark for providing his entire collection of memorabelia from the early 70's at Waverley Little Athletics Centre.

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