What is Little Athletics?

Little Athletics is a uniquely Australian modified athletics program for children from 5 to 16 years.

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”.

Track and celebrate your personal bests or “PBs” and challenge yourself to strive for better results.

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?

Little Athletics is offered from Under 6 to Under 17. Your age group is determined by your age at the 31 December.

All above ages are grouped into their own age brackets (Under 6, Under 12 etc.) and athletes compete with other athletes within the same age bracket.  There is no standards or requirements athletes have to meet to be able to participate in Little Athletics, meaning children of ALL abilities are more than welcome to join in. These athletes will participate in different running, jumping, throwing and walking events on a week to week basis.

Age groups are determined by the year of birth. Refer to the Age Group Calculator.

At what time of year does Little Athletics take place?

Little Athletics is primarily a summer activity, generally running from October through to late March. We also conduct cross-country during the winter months, taking place during April to the end of July.

How many Little Athletics sessions are there a week?

Our district holds at least 1 weekly competition meet every week, where the athletes will participate in a variety of events and have their results recorded. Competition is held at Ern Clark Athletic Track, Cannington. Training sessions are held once a week at our club facilities at Ernest Johnson Reserve, South Perth.

What events are offered?

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?

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?

Little Athletics is very reasonably priced and provides great value for money for children’s sporting activities. Athletes can participate in both summer and winter programs making the annual registration fee better value. The 2024/2025 registration fee is $230 per athlete (excludes the $100 family roster bond).

How do I register my child?

If your child would like to take part in Little Athletics, please contact the club registrar for more information registrar@southperthlac.org who will direct you to register online at ResultsHQ.

Can my child try Little Athletics before joining?

​If you are unsure if little Athletics is suitable for your child and/or the ability to commit to the sport, we offer a “Come and Try”.  This includes 2 training days and 1 competition day in a consecutive 2-week timeframe.  A form will need to be completed prior to training. Please contact the club registrar for more information registrar@southperthlac.org.

What is expected of parents?

Because Little Athletics is a totally voluntary sport, our club 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. We have parent duty rosters in order to share the load. Additional assistance is always required on the Centre committees and all parents are encouraged 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?

Competition uniform consist of the South Perth Pelicans LAC shirt/singlet and navy-blue shorts/bike shorts and appropriate footwear.

Will my child be taught the correct technique or have access to coaching?

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

For more information click here.