ALAC – Australian Little Athletics Championships

ATC – Australian Teams Championships and
ACEC – Australian Combined Event Championships

Each year, Little Athletics Queensland selects a State Team to compete at the Australian Teams Championships (ATC) and Australian Combined Event Championships (ACEC) at the Australian Little Athletics Championships. These Championships are held over two days (usually in April) and are hosted in various States throughout the country. Little Athletics Queensland selects a Team of up to 42 athletes to compete at these Championships. The Team is made up of up to 32 x Under 13 athletes who compete in individual events as well as 6 x Under 15 athletes who compete in the Combined Event competition. Up to 4 x Multi Class athletes (2 x U13/14) may also be selected.

Athletes are selected at the State Championships (U13) and Combined Event Championships (U15), which are held in March. It is a Teams Championships and although recognition is given to individual placegetters, the emphasis is on the Team performance and the main trophy for the day is the Under 13 trophy. There is also a Team trophy for the U15 athletes. You will find below, further details regarding the Team, the competition and eligibility criteria.

The ALAC Team will travel and stay together as a team. No athletes will be allowed to travel and stay with a parent.

Eligibility for the Team

Eligibility for selection to the Queensland Team for the Australian Little Athletics Championships be limited to those children who have satisfied the following criteria:

U13 athletes must have satisfied the criteria to attend their respective Regional Championships and have attended at least four of their Little Athletic actual Centre competition days prior to these Regional Championships in the year of selection. They must also attend and compete at the Regional Championships and LAQ State Championships in the year of selection. There will be no selections based on medical or compassionate grounds.

U15 athletes must have satisfied the criteria to attend their respective Regional Championships and have attended at least four of their Little Athletic actual Centre competition days prior to these Regional Championships in the year of selection. They must attend and compete at the LAQ Multi Event Championships in the year of selection. There will be no selections based on medical or compassionate grounds.

Actual Centre competition days is from the first week the Centre commences their competition period to the last week prior to their Regional Championships and does not include rain days or any LAQ Association Carnivals.

Team Selection

The team will be selected, principally, on their performances at State Championships (U13 and U13/14 Multi Class) and Combined Event Championships (U15), then if necessary, performances at other recently held LAQ sanctioned events will be taken into consideration in the final selection process.

Generally, the U13 athletes will not be selected for one event only, therefore, should endeavour to qualify in the maximum number of events at Regional Championships to increase their opportunity of selection in the State Team. Please note, that placing at States does not guarantee selection in the team.

U13/14 Multi Class athletes will be required to meet a competition standard at the State Championships to be considered for selection. This standard is the McDonald’s achievement award blue level.

The U15 athletes will be announced at the conclusion of the Combined Event Championships and the U13 athletes will be announced in the days following the State Championships.

Events & Competition

U13 Able Bodied Athletes
100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 1500m Walk, 80m Hurdles, 200m Hurdles, High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Shot Put, Discus, Javelin, 4 x 100m Relay, Swedish Medley Relay (100m,300m,200m,400m)

U13/14 Multi Class Athletes
100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, Long Jump, Shot Put, Discus, Javelin

U15 Combined Event Athletes
Boys: 100m, 100m Hurdles, 800m, High Jump, Long Jump, Discus, Javelin, Mixed 4 x 100m Relay (2 Boys only).

Girls: 200m, 90m Hurdles, 800m, High Jump, Long Jump, Shot Put, Javelin, Mixed 4 x 100m Relay (2 Girls only)

The competition is held over two days. It is a Teams Championship and although recognition is given to individual placegetters, the emphasis is on the Team performances and the main trophy for the day is the U13 Team Trophy. There is also a Team Trophy for the U15 athletes. It is important to note that this competition is considerably different to other Track and Field Championships.

The Costs

In 2023, individual athletes will be required to contribute approximately $1,500 for their place on the team. This covers all their travel, accommodation, uniforms and all meals throughout the four day trip.

2023 Team

Congratulations to the 39 athletes selected in the 2023 LAQ State Team. Athletes will compete at the Coles Australian Little Athletics Championships in April in Melbourne. Click here to see the full list of athletes and events.

More Detailed Information

If you would like a more detailed booklet on the selection process and requirements of State Team members, see the link below or contact the LAQ Office on (07) 3892 9400. If you are interested in nominating for a position as a State Team Selector or Team Personnel, please contact Shannon Kruger in the LAQ Office on (07) 3892 9409.

AJAC – Australian Junior Athletics Championships

In 2023, Little Athletics Australia introduced the Australian Junior Athletics Championships (AJAC) for U14 athletes and U15/16 Multi Class athletes.

These athletes are selected firstly from their performances at the 2022 LAQ State Championships. Athletes who placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in their event were invited to nominate. Following this, where places were available, athletes who placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd overall from all the 2023 Regional Championships will be invited to nominate. Finally, and if there are any places still available, they will be invited to nominate based on performances at the 2023 LAQ State Championships where they placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in their event.

The Costs

AJAC athletes will be required to contribute $350 for their place on the team. This covers all their uniforms, administration costs and meals on the competition day/s they are competing. Additional costs will include travelling to and from Melbourne as well as accommodation, as all athletes are required to travel and accommodate with a parent / guardian / family. These athletes will not travel and accommodate as a team.

2023 Team
Congratulations to the athletes selected to compete at the 2023 AJAC competition. Click here to see the full list of athletes and events (current as at 1st April).