UWA Pole Vaulting 

UWA Athletics Club offers a clear and welcoming pathway into one of athletics’ most technical and exciting events.

UWA provides athletes the opportunity to try pole vault in a safe, supportive and structured environment, while building the foundations for future training, club competition and development. Whether athletes are trying pole vault for the first time, looking to build confidence in a new event, or showing potential for future pathway opportunities, the program is designed to support participation, skill development and long-term progression.

For some athletes, this may mean learning a new event and competing at club level. For others, it may become part of a longer-term pathway toward state, national or future international competition.

Pole Vault Pathway

The UWA Athletics Club offer Pole Vault to all athletes Australia Wide and is built around a three-tier pathway:

Coaching and fees

Please see below UWAAC affiliated coaches.

Please note that Individual coaches may charge coaching fees, which will be discussed directly between the athlete and coach. Coaching fees are to paid directly to the coach and are separate to the pole fees.

The program will be supported by experienced pole vault coaches, including:

• Amanda Bisk
• Zoe Laurenson
• Leila Barker
• Declan Curruthers
• Others to be advised

Equipment Fees

Due to the specialised nature of pole vault, athletes are required to contribute to ongoing pole fees in future years.These fees help the club maintain, repair and replace poles, which are expensive and are not provided by VenuesWest or Athletics West in the same way as other athletics equipment. As a guide, each pole costs between $800-$1600 and athlete will use at least 5-10 different poles throughout the year (training & competition).

Once an athlete commits to either the program they will need to pay coaching and pole fees. They should be paid in advance on a tri-annual basis:

• January to April (Major Competition Period) $200 (UWA Members) $350 Non Members 
• May to September (Preparation Period) $200 (UWA Members) $350 Non Members 
• October to December (Schools Competition Period) $200 (UWA Members) $350 Non Members 

Pole fees can be purchased via this link. Please select either UWA or Non UWA pole fees.

Pole Fees will come into effect from 1 January 2027 and are payable by all atheltes using all poles, these inlcude WAIS poles. 

Females aged 12-17 will fall under the Womens grant below and will have their pole fees waived until September 2027, with Fees payable from September  2027.

UWA Athletics Club does not want the yearly pole usage fee to be a barrier to participation. If any member wishes to use the poles but may require financial assistance, please contact the club directly to discuss available support options.

Womens Pole Vault Program

Through the State Government Game On, Girls grant UWA Athletics Club has successfully secured a 12-month grant (from 1 July 2026) to support  women in pole vault . The Program offered by the Club is female-focused pole vault participation and development program for girls aged 12–17.  The program is designed to increase participation, improve retention and create clear pathways for girls in athletics.

The program will provide a safe, supportive and inclusive environment where girls can try pole vault, build confidence, develop skills and progress at their own pace. It will include:

• Come & Try sessions
• Enhanced Skill Development sessions
• health and wellbeing sessions
• weekly training sessions (at a fee)
• subsidised uniform grants
• female-led coaching and mentoring; and
• access to shared pole vault equipment.

A key focus of the program is removing barriers that can prevent girls from participating in pole vault, including the high cost of equipment, limited access to specialist coaching and low exposure to technical events. By providing shared equipment - including poles, subsidised support (thorugh uniform grants) and strong female role models, the program aims to make pole vault more accessible and sustainable for girls across the Club.

The program will also support the development of female coaches and mentors, strengthening female leadership within athletics and creating a pathway from first-time participation through to ongoing development, competition and future performance opportunities.

To express your interest please email the club at info@uwaac.com.au