Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions2023-03-14T13:19:26+11:00
What is Little Athletics?2022-08-18T13:21:30+10:00

Little Athletics is a uniquely Australian modified athletics program for children from 5 to 17 years, although some State Associations may offer age groups outside this range.

As the name suggests, it is based upon the sport of athletics (track and field). There is a wide range of events from running, jumping, throwing and walking and events are modified to suit the age, developmental stage, and ability of the children.

Little Athletics promotes that it is important to “Be your Best” ®. The emphasis is on fun, participation, performance, technique, and getting involved with your family in physical and healthy activity. The motto of Little Athletics is ‘Family, Fun and Fitness”.

Across Australia, more than 100,000 girls and boys enjoy the activities of Little Athletics. Little Athletics is the “Foundation for all Sports”. All sports use the skills developed at Little Athletics.

Who can participate in Little Athletics?2023-03-02T16:08:06+11:00

In Victoria children between the ages of five (5) and seventeen (17) years can register, although these age groups may differ in some State Associations. Parents, grandparents, and friends can also be involved by helping with various events.

At what time of year does Little Athletics take place?2021-08-07T15:18:44+10:00

Little Athletics is primarily a summer activity, generally running from October through to late March. Some Centres also conduct cross-country during the winter months, taking place during April to the end of July. Please contact your local Little Athletics Centre or State Association to find out registration dates, season dates, and key event dates.

Where will my child be participating?2020-06-17T11:09:11+10:00

There are approximately 100 Little Athletics Centres across the Victoria (and on the NSW border). Each of these Centres conducts weekly activities at local venues. These Centres may compete at different times of the day/week. We recommend that you contact the Centre or your State Association to discuss specific details.

What events are offered?2020-06-17T11:09:54+10:00

Little Athletes will generally do a range of athletic (track and field) events in any given weekly program. The number and combination of events will differ from centre to centre and usually work on a rotational basis throughout the season.

Some of the events include: Sprints, Hurdles, Middle Distance, Race Walking, Relays, Shot Put, Discus, Javelin, Long Jump, Triple Jump, and High Jump. Note that some events have age restrictions on them.

Safety and fun are of the utmost importance at Little Athletics; hence equipment is modified to suit the age and developmental stage of the athletes. For example, it may be lighter (e.g. discus), made from modified materials (e.g. foam javelins, or elastic high jump bar), or of a smaller height (e.g. hurdles), to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our Little Athletes.

What level of ability do children have to be to join?2020-06-17T11:11:15+10:00

Our emphasis is on Family, Fun & Fitness. Children can join with any level of skill or fitness. Children are given plenty of encouragement to achieve personal bests (PB’s). Little Athletics recognises that children vary widely in shape, size and athletic ability, and thus is one of few sports that successfully caters for all.

How much does Little Athletics cost?2021-08-07T15:43:46+10:00

Little Athletics is very reasonably priced, and provides great value for money for children’s sporting activities. Please contact your local Little Athletics Centre or your State Association for information regarding fees, as they may differ between Centres. Refunds are not available once registration has been paid.

How do I register my child?2020-06-17T11:37:00+10:00

If your child would like to take part in Little Athletics, you need to register them with the local Centre. It is suggested that prior to registering online to contact your closest Little Athletics Centre to ensure that you have all the specific Centre information available to you. Some State Associations have online registrations – please view the relevant State Association website for details, or contact your State Association to register your child.

What age group will my child be in?2023-05-16T09:39:38+10:00

Age groups are determined by the year and month of birth. Please refer to the Age Group Calculator for details.

Can my child try Little Athletics Winter Cross Country (April – August) before joining?2023-08-21T16:00:52+10:00

All Centres will offer up to two (2) trials for your child, these are conducted on a competition day. The Trial Athlete offer is available in Victoria. Athletes interested in trying Little Athletics for the first time will be required to submit an entry online so that they can attend a trial at their chosen Centre. A trial is recommended prior to paying, refunds are not available once registration has been paid.

Winter Season (Cross Country) registrations for trials and registrations will open April 1st 2024.

What is expected of parents/guardians?2021-08-07T16:28:47+10:00

Because Little Athletics is a totally voluntary sport, Centres cannot operate without the assistance of parents and other adult volunteers each week in fulfilling the many and varied duties required. These include officiating at an event; managing an age group; recording results; working in the canteen; just to name a few. Most Centres have parent duty rosters in order to share the load. Additional assistance is always required on the Centre committees and all parents / guardians play a role to become involved. Little Athletics is one of the few sports where parents can become fully involved in their child’s sporting interests.

Do children need to wear a uniform?2021-08-08T18:13:26+10:00

Some Centres may have a uniform for their weekly intra-Centre program, but others may not. Footwear must be worn in all events, by all competing members.

All competitive members will be provided by their Centre an Association Registration Patch (ARP). This patch is provided once registration has been paid & proof of age has been provided (new members), it must be worn on the front of the approved uniform on competition days. A National Membership Badge (NMB) is also provided and should be sewn onto the front of the approved uniform.

All registered athletes must wear an approved Centre uniform when competing in Little Athletics competitions against other Centres. Your local Centre representative will be able to tell you how much their uniforms cost and where it should be worn.

NOTE: Trial athletes do not need to wear a uniform, only when they become a registered member. Please ensure that when attending your trial, you bring a hat, drink bottle and wear appropriate clothes and footwear that is suitable for running, jumping, throwing and participating in any activities that might be included in the program.

 

Will my child be taught the correct technique or have access to coaching?2020-06-17T11:38:55+10:00

Many Centres have qualified coaches or parents who offer training session/s during the week. Additionally, State Associations frequently hold coaching clinics for athletes – please check your State Association’s website for details of upcoming clinics.

What are the costs involved in joining a Cross-Country program?2021-04-13T10:55:39+10:00

If you wish to participate in a Cross-Country program, you must be a registered member of a Little Athletics Victoria affiliated Centre.

Some programs may also charge a small amount upon joining their Cross-Country program, or on a weekly basis. This information can be found on the Centre & Programs pages.

My Centre doesn’t actively participate in Cross-Country, does that mean my Children can’t participate?2021-08-07T14:50:42+10:00

No.

Even if your Centre doesn’t actively participate in a Cross-Country program (or at their Centre), your Little Athletics Victoria membership allows you to compete at any Centre or program offering Cross-Country. We encourage you to contact the Centre to confirm their program and your ability to participate.

During the winter season members have access to view a summary of their nearest Cross-Country program this can be found on the Centres page.

I am having trouble logging into my GAMEDAY member portal?2022-09-15T10:55:37+10:00

If you have filled in an application form in the past, you would have received a username and password. If you have forgotten these, please click HERE to receive a password or username retrieval.

I have siblings registered (paid) already & our Centre provides a discount for a subsequent member, how do I obtain the discount?2023-03-02T16:06:48+11:00

Simply submit the registration for the new member; without payment, contact our office (during business hours) and request the invoice to be adjusted to reflect the discount, we can also link the members at the same time.

* Please note: family discounts are not available at all Centres / Clubs.

How do I redeem a Get Active Kids Voucher?2023-10-10T10:19:31+11:00

The Get Active Kids Voucher Program helps eligible families get their kids involved in Little Athletics. Eligible children may receive up to $200 to cover the costs for membership registration fees and competition uniforms (must be purchased in the same transaction).

LAVic have provided a guide to assist Little Athletics parents/guardians HERE.

What is Cross-Country?2023-03-07T09:39:12+11:00

The Winter Cross-Country program takes place between April and August where athletes participate in Cross-Country running on a weekly basis.

Any Little Athletics Victoria registration (insurance) paid since 1 August 2022 will cover you until 31st August 2023. Additional fees ‘may’ apply with your Centre or Cross-Country group to accommodate the winter program. Please contact your Centre for more information.

Athletes still represent their registered Centre they were with in during the Summer Track & Field program, however, unlike the summer program, and in some cases nearby Centres can participate together sometimes in different locations, if numbers permit the Centre may run their own Cross-Country program.

On any given Cross-Country day, athletes will participate in one event only. The distance of the event the athlete participates in is the same in any Cross-Country program across Victoria.

A Cross-Country day is shorter in duration due to fewer athletes participating and only one event per athlete. A Cross-Country day also only involves a single event being run at any one time. These programs are determined by the Cross-Country group your Centre is involved with.

Can my child try Little Athletics Summer Track and Field (September – March) before joining?2024-02-20T11:16:07+11:00

All Centres will offer up to two (2) trials for your child, these are conducted on a competition day. The Trial Athlete offer is available in Victoria. Athletes interested in trying Little Athletics for the first time will be required to submit an entry online so that they can attend a trial at their chosen Centre. A trial is recommended prior to paying, refunds are not available once registration has been paid.

Summer Track and Field 2023/24 Season registrations for trials and registrations are closed. Trial Athlete Offer for the 23-24 Cross-Country season will open in April 2024.

Can spike shoes be worn during Cross-Country?2023-05-11T10:52:13+10:00

No – Spikes, Football boots, runners with hard cleats are NOT permitted for Cross-Country.

What should I do if my registration is being paid via the NDIS or an Aid Agency?2023-09-27T13:25:48+10:00

Please submit a registration online and then contact LAVIC with a request for a Tax Invoice to be issued to a nominated party.

I have previously submitted a registration have a voucher and have not paid where do I add my code?2023-10-11T09:08:00+11:00

Voucher codes must be added to the membership form – this is completed during the registration process. If you have already submitted an application without payment and need to update your form with your voucher code, please login to your profile, click on the option ‘update your details’ and add the code towards the bottom of the form, make sure you click save before completing Step 4 – Redeem your voucher.

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