Rob started pole vaulting at the age of 13 at Sandringham Athletic Club. This was following a 2nd place in the first Victorian Little
Aths Championship in the u/12 Discus in 1966.
Rob first represented Victoria in 1971 in the Shell East Coast u/17 team in Brisbane
with his great rival and friend Andy Stewart from the Box Hill Club. This was the start of 16 consecutive years competing in the National
Championships until 1986 with a 2nd place with 4m 80cm.
Rob won the Australian Open Championship in 1977, again with 4m 80 cm, in Hobart
on countback to Andy. Other crazy mate Errol Mustafa was third.
Rob competed for the Oceania team for the WorldCup of Athletics held
in Montreal, Canada in 1979. Jumping 4m 60cm starting height into a tricky stadium head wind was a relief and meant 7th in the World!!
Other
highlights were jumping in Auckland as part of the Australian team with mate Andy Stewart. Competing and traveling with the best in
the world as part of the KB Games in the late 1970s and early 80s in Austalia and New Zealand. Including athletes such as John Walker,
Steve Cram. An exhibition jump on the MCG in 1975 during the lunch break at the Centenary test match England Vs Australia was
amazing.
Finshed with a somewhat disappointing PB of 4m 95cm having got oh so close to 5metres in competition, including one attempt
at the Nationals in Adelaide hitting the bar off only with his nose on the way down!!!!
After 20 years jumpng , a million memories
and a chronic sore neck it was some ride.
Rob at Australian Championships 1986 Canberra
The Pole's Vaulters. Coach Khris Sczat..at Olympic Park Melbourne; with Andy Stewart, Rob Huddle, Brett Randell, Mark Stewart, Colin mackie, Neil Honey and Chris Spillaine
Gentleman's dinner about 2009.
With special invite Ghani
Rob winning the Jim English handicap vault at Box Hill, about 1991
Rob Huddle's Pole Vault Page