On this page we introduce Little Athletics, specifically
Lilydale Yarra Ranges
Little athletics Centre, to new athletes or athletes considering joining
Little Athletics.
Of course if your question is not answered here you most welcome
to email your question here.
Covered on this page are:
The 'handbook' page, which contains extracts
from the yearly handbook given to each registered athlete, also
provides information that may be of interest
LITTLE
ATHLETICS started back in 1964 when a small group of children turned up for a
few simple running events at Geelong. They were there for fun and fitness.
The Geelong experiment was obviously a success because today a total 88,000
boys and girls (22,000+ in Victoria) are registered with some 500 Centres around Australia.
The Centres are affiliated with one of the State or Territory Associations
which, in turn, are affiliated with the national organising body - the
Australian Little Athletics Union.
Little Athletics offers a wide range of running, walking, throwing, jumping
and play training events.
"THERE'S
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AT LITTLE ATHLETICS"
Winning is not everything at Little Athletics. The main emphasis is on
participation and skills development. Children learn and
practice the key skills of athletics through games and
activities.
Its an ideal first sport for children. The running, jumping and throwing activities help
develop balance flexibility and strength.
"ANYONE CAN BECOME A LITTLE ATHLETE"
(Track & Field age eligibility at
Lilydale & Yarra Ranges is from age 5 to 15. For Cross Country age eligibility
at Lilydale & Yarra Ranges is from age 5 to 15) Competition is also available
for Interaths athletes (Under 16 to Under 17)
The
skills developed through training and competition provide a basis for many
sports. Clubs and Centres organise regular coaching, competition and special days.
Parents and other family members can come along and help with the activities. There's always someone around to show them how and what to do.
IT'S FUN...
Children like fun: more than that,
children need fun. Little Athletics' Saturday morning
competitions provide it. The are also special activity days
for younger members, plus a whole range of interesting and enjoyable
fun-packed trips, coaching camps, and special events.
IT'S
FOR FITNESS...
Not only is Little Athletics a whole lot of fun, it's
also a great way to keep fit. Let's face it, a healthy body
means an alert mind and greater resistance to many physical ailments. Also, a child who learns how to keep fit in youth is more likely to stay fit
for life.
IT'S
FOR THE FAMILY...
Little Athletics is more than fun and fitness.
It's a family movement that promotes family participation. It's a real chance for mum and dad and the family to do things together
regularly. Parents are involved as voluntary helpers and
officials at athletic events. Other activities include family
camps, seminars and social functions.
The Little Athletic summer season (Track & Field) begins in October and runs through to
March. The Cross Country season runs from April through to July. You can register at any time during the athletic year
providing you are between the age of 5 and 15. Cross Country runs events for athletes between
5 & 15.
Interaths is also available (Under 16 to Under 17)
For the 2006/2007 season the registration costs per athlete for the full
year are as follows :-1 Child
$100
2 Children
$180
3 Children
$260
4 Children
$300
$40 per Child over 4 Children
Athletes registering in the Track & field season (October to March)
are eligible to compete in the Cross Country season (April to September) for no additional cost.
Additionally each athlete will need to purchase a T-Shirt from the Club
they join. Costs are approximately $20 to $25
Centre singlets are available and cost around $20 to $25
Age groups are determined by the year and month of birth as detailed in the following VLAA Registrars Ready Reckoner
- 2006/2007 season
Age group by Month and Year of Birth
| |
1990 |
1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
|
January |
|
I/A |
15 |
14 |
13 |
12 |
11 |
10 |
9 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
|
February |
|
I/A |
15 |
14 |
13 |
12 |
11 |
10 |
9 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
|
March |
|
I/A |
15 |
14 |
13 |
12 |
11 |
10 |
9 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
|
April |
|
I/A |
15 |
14 |
13 |
12 |
11 |
10 |
9 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
|
May |
|
I/A |
15 |
14 |
13 |
12 |
11 |
10 |
9 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
|
June |
|
I/A |
15 |
14 |
13 |
12 |
11 |
10 |
9 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
|
July |
|
I/A |
15 |
14 |
13 |
12 |
11 |
10 |
9 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
|
August |
|
I/A |
15 |
14 |
13 |
12 |
11 |
10 |
9 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
|
September |
|
I/A |
15 |
14 |
13 |
12 |
11 |
10 |
9 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
|
October |
I/A |
15 |
14 |
13 |
12 |
11 |
10 |
9 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
|
|
November |
I/A |
15 |
14 |
13 |
12 |
11 |
10 |
9 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
|
|
December |
I/A |
15 |
14 |
13 |
12 |
11 |
10 |
9 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
|
Each competition
day, usually Saturday morning but also on some Friday twilights, the children participate in a selection of different events that
rotate on a 3 week program. During the Cross Country season the athletes run a single race of a distance contingent with their age.
- Sprints (70m,
100m, 200m), Middle distance depending on age group (400m, 800m), Long
Distance again dependant on age group (1500m) running.
- Hurdles
depending on age (60m, 80m, 90m, 100m, 300m)
- Long Jump/Triple
Jump/High Jump
- Shot
Put/Discus
- Relays
- Cross
Country
- Javelin for (Under 11 – Under 15 only)
- On Track for U6 & U7
The Lilydale Yarra Ranges Little Athletics Centre use the Morrison Reserve,
during the Track & Field season, located off Hereford Road, Mt Evelyn (Mel ref 118 C9).
Cross country events are held at several
locations around the Lilydale area.
A
Summer morning program would usually begin 9:00a.m. and finishes
around 12 noon, with the younger age groups finishing earlier. Occasionally we also hold 'Twilight' meetings on Friday nights from
5.00pm to approx 8.30pm
During the Winter Cross
Country season, competition starts at 9.00am and is around 1½ hours long.
The Track and Field season
begins in mid September and runs through until March/April.
It is usual for a break to occur from
Christmas until mid January
Cross Country begins
around March/April and runs through to August
All Little
athlete's performances in all events are recorded during the program.
Children receive tickets
detailing these performances either during the day or the following week.
These tickets are placed in a ‘ book’ provided where performances can
be assessed by the child.
Results will also be available on the Centre's web site
During the
season, there are:
- Open Days - Competition other Centres and a chance to win medals
against other little athletes in Victoria
- Regional
competitions (for U9 to U15) - Competition with other Centres within a defined
Region
- State
competitions - Children are progressed from Region to State Competition to compete
all regions in Victoria
Parents are
expected to assist with the operation of Little Aths by a carrying out duty. There are several types
of duty possible, most parents enjoy 'officiating" at an event. Other typical
Centre type activities are canteen, club administration, etc. Additional
assistance is always needed on the Centre and Club committees and all parents
are free to help here.
Children must:
-
Behave in a proper
manner with their friends and parents
-
Uphold our motto
“Family, Fun, Fitness”
Yes - various event coaching/training
is provided throughout the year by a range of qualified coaches. Refer to
Training Page for details.
LYRLAC has a strict safety
policy and all athlete are covered by Insurance
provided by the Victorian Little Athletics
Association
First Aid is provided at all LYRLAC events.
At the end of each season,
presentations are made to children based on:
Trophies, Medals and
certificates are typically awarded.
Our
emphasis is on fun and fitness. Children can join with any level of skill or
fitness. Children are given plenty of encouragement to achieve personal
bests
All
children are encouraged to join. Disabled or handicapped athletes are integrated with the other athletes albeit compete under modified regulations pertaining to equipment and event technique.
Yes,
once a child has registered with a Centre they can take part in other Centre
activities without further notice. Alternatively athletes can transfer from one
Centre to another -they will have to pay a fee to the second centre but they do not
have to pay the VLAA fee again.
Yes,
official 'Bring and Friend' days are conducted at LYRLAC in the early part of
each season. Alternatively just turn up on a competition day and make yourself
known to the Age Group Manager or Club Leader. You will be introduced to a Club, children will be placed with
their respective age/gender group, and given the opportunity to see if Little
Athletics is for you.
This page was last updated on 30/10/07
| 
