Governance In Focus: Records, Selection & a cleaner policy playbook

Over the past few months AUTRA has created or consolidated six key documents, with another on the way. Together they aim to make records, selection and international representation clearer and more predictable.​​

The new (and coming) documents

Recently endorsed:

• 3.1 International Team Selection Policy (V3) – a full redraft of AUTRA’s core selection framework, aligned with current WA/IAU/ITRA/WMRA regulations and AUTRA’s updated policy structure.​
  
  
• 3.1.1 24‑Hour Asia & Oceania Championships Selection Policy – applies 3.1 to a single championship, with specific qualifiers, timelines and processes.​
  
  
• 3.2 Athletes Agreement – International Competition – a consolidated agreement for all international events from 1 January 2026, replacing older athlete‑specific amendments with one clearer document.​
  
  
• 3.4 Team Manager Agreement – International Competition – a standard single‑event agreement for Team Managers, mirroring the athlete agreement structure and clarifying roles, expectations and support.​
  
  
• 3.8 Records – Criteria and Applications Policy – a one‑stop policy for Australian ultra-records, bringing together legacy criteria, shoe rules, walking provisions, timing and anti‑doping.​
  
  
• 3.9 Code of Conduct – International Competition – a single conduct policy for athletes, crew, managers and officials at international events, covering behaviour, respect, social media and consequences for breaches.
  
  
• In parallel, AUTRA is drafting 3.3 Crew Agreement – International Competition, which will sit alongside the Athletes and Team Manager Agreements as the third part of the international representation set.​
  
  

Records: one policy, fewer surprises

The new 3.8 Records – Criteria and Applications Policy is a major step forward for anyone chasing an Australian Open or Age Group record on road or track.​

Highlights:

• One consolidated standard – eligibility, age groups, recognised events, course certification, timing, shoe rules and anti‑doping expectations now live in a single policy.​
  
  
• Defined categories and events – records are recognised across Open and detailed age brackets (18–19 through to 85–90) and a specific list of distance and timed events, from 50 km to multi‑day races.​
  
  
• Modern integrity and equipment rules – AUTRA adopts WA/IAU shoe regulations with an extra guardrail for records (40 mm sole, one carbon plate, no prototype “development” shoes) and makes anti‑doping compliance an explicit condition of ratification.​
  
  

 Appendix A and B support this with:

• An athlete‑facing record application template and checklist.
  
  
• An event‑officials checklist for course, timing, results, shoe and anti‑doping evidence.​
  
  

The idea is that when someone does something extraordinary, the question is simply whether it meets 3.8.​ The AUTRA website has been updated too, making it clear what is expected and required. For any queries, reach out to records@autra.asn.au

International selection: a layered structure

1)   On the selection side, AUTRA has moved to a clearer, layered model:

2)   3.1 – master framework

a)   Sets the rules for all international teams: citizenship and eligibility, application timelines, selection criteria, appeals, funding, uniforms, and the roles of the Selection Committee, Team Manager, Delegate and Official Crew.​

b)   Aligns with Sport Integrity Australia’s National Integrity Framework and IAU/ITRA/WA/WMRA rules.​

3)   3.1.x – event‑specific policies

a)   Short, event‑specific policies (like 3.1.1 24‑Hour Asia & Oceania) apply 3.1 to real‑world championships, capturing host details, qualifying periods, benchmark standards and any LOC or international‑body conditions.​

4)    Linked agreements and conduct

a)   3.2 Athletes Agreement and 3.4 Team Manager Agreement provide the “contract” layer – preparation, meetings, travel, funding, injury/illness reporting and team culture for each person who is selected or appointed.​

b)   The forthcoming 3.3 Crew Agreement will do the same for Official Crew, completing a matched set of three agreements for international representation.​

c)    The 3.9 Code of Conduct – International Competition underpins behaviour for everyone – athletes, crew and officials – across respect, inclusion, social media and integrity.​

 In practice, the pathway now looks like:

• 3.1 for how selection works overall.
  
  
• 3.1.x for the specific championship.
  
  
• 3.2 / 3.3 / 3.4 + 3.9 for what it means to actually wear the uniform or hold a leadership role.​
  
  

What this means in real life

For most people, the benefit isn’t “more documents” – it’s clearer, more consistent decisions:

• If you want to make a record attempt, 3.8 and its appendices spell out what you, your shoes, your course and your race director must do for the performance to count.​
  
  
• If you’re aiming for international selection, 3.1 plus the relevant 3.1.x event policy tell you when to apply, what standards matter and how choices are made, while the Athletes Agreement and Code of Conduct set expectations once you’re in the team.​
  
  
• If you’re stepping up as Team Manager or Crew, 3.4 (and soon 3.3) give you a clear brief on what AUTRA expects and what support sits around you.​
  
  

The governance work behind these six (soon seven) documents is substantial, but the aim is simple: fewer surprises, clearer pathways, and a stronger, fairer framework for everyone who cares about setting records or representing Australia on the international stage.​

As I love to say, the only time you will most likely see me near a podium is when I’m helping set it up, regardless, I’m extremely proud and inspired by the people who stand upon it and I want to make sure their effort is beyond reproach, it’s hard enough doing what we do, there is no need to make it harder with confusing bureaucracy.

David Martin
Governance Officer