What is Little Athletics?
Little Athletics is a uniquely Australian sport for children 5-16 years. It is based upon the sport of athletics (track & field) and the events are specially modified to suit the ages and abilities of children. A wide range of running, jumping, throwing and walking events is conducted. Little Athletics is the Foundation for all Sports. It offers young people activities and skills that will stand them in good stead for their sporting future.

The track & field-based competition is conducted throughout both the Summer and Winter seasons. Events are conducted on a weekly basis by one of our 86 individual Centres across Queensland, and include:

Track Events

• Sprints – 70m, 100m, 200m
• Distance – 400m, 800m, 1500m
• Hurdles – 60mH, 80mH, 90mH, 100mH, 110mH
• Walks – 700m, 1100m, 1500m
• Relays – 4x70m, 4x100m, 4x200m, 4xMedley

Field Events

• Jumps – Long Jump, Triple Jump, High Jump
• Throws – Shot Put, Discus, Javelin

Tiny Tots
Centres may offer the Tiny Tots Program for children between the ages of 3 and 4. Tiny Tots will participate in games and activities designed to develop gross motor skills. They will not engage in competition. This program is optional and not all Centre’s offer this program.

“LITTLE ATHLETICS…FOR…FAMILY…FUN…and…FITNESS”

Its a FAMILY THING – One of the basic reasons for the continued development and enthusiasm generated by Little Athletics, has been the attempt to meet the needs of children as part of the family unit. Little Athletics is more than a sport. It is a community-oriented organisation which enables the entire family to do something together. Parents are involved in the program as voluntary helpers or officials. They share in many experiences with the children. Little Athletics provides a vital communication bridge between parent and child. This link can have benefits far beyond the years spent in the centre. Society has, increasingly, produced subtle and damaging pressures on family and community relationships. The FAMILY CONCEPT approach to programming counteracts those pressures.

FUN – All children like fun…all children need fun. The weekly competition provides fun through participation in an enjoyable sport, with friends in the same age group.

FITNESS – The community has become increasingly aware of the value of physical fitness, particularly in the fight against obesity. A fit body can mean an alert mind and a decrease in the incidence of many physical ailments.

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MISSION STATEMENT
Little Athletics aims to develop children of all abilities by promoting positive attitudes and a healthy lifestyle through family and community involvement in athletics activities.

EQUITY STATEMENT
LAQ aims to guarantee all children and adults access to a complete range of participation, training and competition opportunities and to ensure equity in all aspects of Athletics, including the provision of rewards and incentives, coaching, officiating and administration. LAQ recognises seven equity areas, which include: gender, disabilities, older adults, Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, non-English speaker, employment status and isolated communities.Add Content…