The New Zealand Development Tour is an exciting opportunity for Little Athletics Queensland (LAQ) athletes in the U14 and U15 age groups. It is an annual tour conducted by LAQ with athletes in the Team spending approximately 10 days travelling, training and competing together throughout the South Island of New Zealand, against local athletes from all over the Island. For athletes selected to go, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience a team environment in a sport where individual performance is normally the focus.

LAQ has successfully conducted this tour for the past 14 years and both parents and athletes who have previously attended speak highly of the benefits of the tour, not just for their athletic development, but also their social and emotional development. Athletes of all skill levels are encouraged to apply, as this tour provides a development opportunity for all athletes, regardless of their skill level.

The Tour takes place in the January school holidays each year.

The Team & Selection

A team of up to 30 athletes will be selected for the Tour. Only LAQ registered athletes in the U14 and U15 age groups (born 2009 and 2010) are eligible for selection as athletes must be either 13 or 14 years of age (as of the 31st December in the year of nomination) to compete.

The team will be selected solely on those athletes who have nominated. Should nominations exceed 30 athletes, the following selection criteria will be used as a guide. All selections are at the discretion of LAQ.

• Athletes who have displayed exemplary behaviour at Centre, Region and State competitions
• Where possible, an even split of male and female athletes
• Commitment to Little Athletics
• Longevity of service and involvement in Little Athletics

Placing at LAQ sanctioned events or being selected as a member of the LAQ State Team or previous Development Tours does not guarantee selection in this Team.

Experienced LAQ Team Management will accompany the athletes while on tour and will be in complete control of the athletes while they are away. Parents do not travel with the team.

The Competition

The Team takes part in the South Island Colgate Games. These games are run by Athletics New Zealand and are the largest on the New Zealand Children’s Athletics calendar. This competition is held over three days and is conducted under full IAAF Rules – not Little Athletics modified rules.

A full list of events and specifications can be found here.

Costs

Athletes are required to fully fund themselves if they wish to be part of this Team. The cost is set each year depending on various budgeting factors (flight and accommodation costs, length of the trip, where the competitions are being held etc). The cost for the 2024 Tour will be $3,300 per athlete. This amount covers the return airfares from Brisbane to New Zealand, airport and government taxes, airport transfers and ground transportation, travel insurance, 9 night’s accommodation, all meals and food for 10 days, competition fees, uniforms and tours / sightseeing activities.

The only other money that will be required from the athletes is personal spending money and the costs of a passport (if the athlete does not already have one).

2024 Tour

The 2024 Tour will take place from Saturday 6th – Monday 15th January 2024. Athletes will spend 10 days in New Zealand and compete at the Colgate Games in Dunedin.

Congratulations to the 30 athletes selected for this tour. Click here for details.

Further Information

If you have any questions, please contact the LAQ Office on (07) 3892 9400 or info@laq.org.au