Ginger Gleeson, Ella Tasila and Mason Watkins out to defend their titles at All Schools Championships in Perth

Ginger Gleeson is among a dozen Albany athletes heading to the WA All Schools Championships in Perth this weekend.

Ginger, 15, is aiming to defend the 400m title she won last year, and she is also competing in the 400m hurdles and 800m at the meeting which runs from October 31 to November 2.

She will be among the favourites to win medals and qualify for the Australian Championships in December.

Unable to run the 400m hurdles at the event last year because she was too young, she promptly won the under-17 State title at her first attempt at the distance once she was age qualified.

She was attempting to chase down the WA record held by her mother and coach Rebecca.

Six of the Albany contingent are Great Southern Academy of Sport athletes with Ella Tasila defending her triple jump title and Mason Watkins out to retain the long and triple jump double he claimed last time.

Rebecca Gleeson said it was a great blend of athletes.

“Some of them are new to athletics so this will be their first big hit out, others will be defending their State titles,” she said.

“It’s a real mix, which is what we love to see.”

Albany Little Athletics — which has now merged with Albany Athletics Club — also received a funding boost of a $3600 grant from Coles which has been used to buy a new PA system, starter’s microphone and training hurdles.

Rebecca Gleeson said the equipment would be a real bonus as Albany will host the Athletics West Country Championships for the first time in six years in January.