OVA Southern Saints Athletics Club 

THE OLD VIRGILIANS ASSOCIATION (OVA) HAVE ALWAYS HAD STRONG TIES WITH STUDENTS, DATING BACK TO THE EARLY 1930s.

OVA was founded early in the 1930s, by a small group of students with the intention of enjoying the sport of track and field and wanting to start an Athletics club. Due to the war and the the small numbers in the club at the time, it was disbanded in 1947. 

In 1964 'Old Boys' of the College, Bob Hamilton and Harold Rennie, together with the support of the Christian Brothers and athletes from the College succeeded in fulfilling the original intention of the OVA Athletics Club. Application for affiliation was made with the Southern Tasmanian Amateur Athletic Branch and affiliation for the Old Virgilians Association Athletic Club which was duly granted. The Club very quickly built up a membership of some 40 athletes. Early in the 1980s women were granted membership and the club became what it is today. Beyond 2010, the club decided to re-brand itself as the OVA Southern Saints, as a bid to retain the original club heritage and values but to appeal to a wider range of members.

The club’s membership for the 2020-2021 season reached 75 and during that period its athletes achieved results at the highest standard, with 14 athletes attending the Australian Track and Field Championships.  It had two athletes on the podium, Blake Doyle’s Silver in the Under 15 Triple Jump and Ella Atkin’s Silver in the Under 17 2000m Steeple. Jacob Despard excelled chasing the 4x100m Olympic Standard with the Australia Sprint squad in Northern Queensland. Alex Hanigan was also recognised for his achievements and commitment throughout the season, winning Athletics South’s U16 Male Athlete of the Year. 

2021 Awards (Many of the Awards carry the name of Noted Old Virgilians) 

OVA SENIOR FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

“Lauren Jauncey (Gorringe) Trophy   Julia Direen

OVA SENIOR MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

“Brendan Hanigan Trophy”  Jacob Despard

OVA JUNIOR FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

“Gabby Prenter Trophy”   Ella Atkins

OVA JUNIOR MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

“Simon Hollingsworth Trophy”  Blake Doyle

SPORTSMANSHIP AND ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD

“Harold Rennie Trophy”  Rebecca Mathers  & Travis Round

OVA WINTER ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

“Rene Sluyters Trophy”   Oliver Morgan

BEST CLUB PERSON

“Hamilton Trophy”   William Robertson

HIGHEST POINT SCORER

Liam Hatten & Natalia Leszczynski

If any SVC athletes are interested in track and field, please get in touch with the club at president@ovasouthernsaints.com.au