Competition

Since 1964, we have developed well over 20,000 Little Athletes.

Track & Field Competition Days

What do the children do at Geelong Little Athletics?
Under 8-17: At Geelong Little Athletics there are 3 rotating programs of events, and each age group will compete in 5 events each week. (Under 8 athletes compete in 4 events each week). Events are called over the loudspeaker so you need to listen out as each event will only be called 3 times. The announcement will tell you where to marshal for the event. Once there, the parent on duty will do a roll call to see who is there and put you in heats for the track events. The track event heats on the first few weeks are randomly selected, but once an athlete has a benchmark the heats are seeded according to results so athletes will be running against athletes with a similar time. The field events are also often split into 2 groups to utilise both jump pits, throwing rings or high jump mats but all club athletes will stay together. Athletes will get a practice jump or throw then 2 competition trials.

Once your event is completed or race finished, you may return to your Club area to await your next event. To get to your field event there are orange cones around the track which is where you need to cross to get into the infield. Before you do please check that there are no circular races going on and you are not going to interfere with a race. Also do not cross the infield because there are javelins and discus being thrown into this area. You need to go around the outside and enter the field at the cones.

Under 6-7: Do the On-Trackers program, please see below for description.

GLAC Special Events

The Geelong Little Athletics Centre holds a number of Championship and Special Events for under 8 to 17 athletes over the summer season:

Season Opening and March Past
The March Past is a Club based event, with all Club members invited to parade in their Club colours past an array of local dignitaries and GLAC Life Members. The Club judged to be the best will be awarded the Dorothy Poyser Shield. (Dates change every season, see GLAC calendar to confirm.)

Twilight Athletics
Geelong Little Athletics hosts a couple of Twilight Night meets during the Track & Field season. These events start at 5 pm and conclude around 9 pm. (Dates change every season, see GLAC calendar to confirm.)

Relaython Day
All athletes will have the opportunity to make a donation and try to keep the baton moving around Landy Field throughout the morning. This is a fundraising event with proceeds going to the Royal Children’s Hospital. (Dates change every season, see GLAC calendar to confirm.)

Steigen Track and Field Championships
The Steigen Track and Field Championships are held at John Landy Field. This event is an ALL DAY event starting at 8.15 am. Athletes may enter a maximum of five events, consisting of three track and two field, or two track and three field – the events athletes may enter are the same as offered during the normal season. All track events will be timed finals, with medals awarded to the fastest three athletes over all. All athletes wishing to compete at Track and Field Championships must have participated in at least two (2) normal Centre competition programs prior to the end of February. Registrations for the Steigen Track & Field Championships will be online using the Results HQ system. Members need to be aware that there is a closing date.

Regional and State Level Competition
There are also Regional and State events which individuals can enter including Track & Field Events and a
Combined-Event (Pentathlon) and Team Relays where athletes are chosen to compete for Geelong depending on results from the first few weeks of sprints. 

To enter the Regional and State individual events, registered athletes will be sent an email from LAVic and all entries are completed online. There is a charge for the Track & Field events (per event entered) and a fee for the Multi-event. There is a small charge for the selected Geelong relay teams. 

To compete in these events athletes need to purchase online a Geelong Centre singlet, available from the competition box on Saturday mornings. Parents are required to fill a duty position at either the Regional or State event if their child is competing. The duty positions are not hard as there are LAVic officials to run each of the events so you are just helping them.

Cancellation and Program Changes
Cancellation of weekly competition programs can occur throughout the season due to wet weather or excessive heat conditions. On a Saturday morning or prior to any twilight programs scheduled, if you think that the program may be cancelled, please check GLAC Team App and Facebook after 07:45AM The decision to cancel a program is made by the GLAC Committee with the safety of athletes and officials as their primary concern. On some occasions, a program may also be altered to suit weather conditions. The LAVic weather policy will be used in decision making.

On-Trackers Program

On Track is the LAVic’s orientation program for the Under 5 & 7 age group do our On Track a 1 ½ hour skills based program. (Please note athletes turning 5 between Oct 1-Dec 31 can register as an U6 for the commencement of the season. Athletes turning 5 after Jan 1 (2018) must wait until they have turned 5 before registering, these new U6 athletes will repeat U6 in the next calendar season). It aims to teach young children the components of athletic events in a fun, noncompetitive way. Using games, encouragement and a variety of physical activities, the program seeks to build confidence and skill levels before introducing children to the range of track and field events comprising the Little Athletics weekly programs – running, hurdles, relay, long and high jump, discus and shot put. Race walking and javelin are not taught to On Trackers. The program will commence at 8:30 am on the Saturday program with athletes and parents congregating at the competition office. Programs will be run on a safe zone on the infield as well as progressing athletes towards standard events on the track or field as their skills develop. We ask that two parents assist from each Club each week to help run the program. For safety reasons we ask that other parents and siblings watch from the safety of spectator areas. The infield and the track are for competitors and officials/helpers.

  • Uniform On Track athletes are required to wear their full Club uniform including registration bib.

  • Slip, Slop, Slap On Track athletes are required to have sun protection including a hat and sunscreen.

  • Development of Skills Skill development is a session of between 1 ½ and 1 ¾ hrs commencing from 8:30 am. As well as skills development, on Trackers will be introduced to several events held on the track or field of John Landy Field. Events will vary according to the availability of a particular track, pit or ring. Children will be called to assemble on the John Landy Field PA system, meeting the On Track Coordinator at the recording office. The Recording Office is located at the west end of John Landy Field.

  • Putting Skills into Practice The introduction-to-events sessions allow On Trackers and their families to become familiar with the layout of John Landy Field and its event locations. Children are shown how each event is conducted and the rules governing each event. These sessions are important preparation for the following year when the On Trackers will compete as Under 8 Little Athletes.

  • Learn with your Child The On Track program is designed so that you can learn alongside your child. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings etc. are encouraged to get involved with the program and share the experience. For further information, please see the On Track section of the LAVic web site: www.lavic.com.au Parents are required to be present at little athletics and assistance is required approximately once every three weeks. We will also train parents on how to assist and engage in the program.

GLAC Cross-Country

From April-August Geelong Little Athletic runs a Cross Country program. The runs are local based, normally at Easter Gardens and other away locations, distance varies depending on age from 1km to 3km. LAVic also offer Region/State competitions through out the season.