FAQ'S for Tiny Tots to U18’s

WHAT IS LITTLE ATHLETICS? 

Little Athletics is a uniquely Australian modified athletics program for children from 5 to 17 years, although some Member Associations may offer age groups outside this range.

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".

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?

TINY TOTS
Children aged 3-4 are able to participate in our ‘Tiny Tots Club’. This is a modified program that is designed to develop the children’s fundamental movements of running, jumping and throwing through fun and enjoyable activities. The aim of the program is to improve the physical, social, emotional and cognitive development of children through a play-based approach that is engaging and stimulating.

Kingsway Athletics - Tiny Tots Club

AGES 5-17
All above ages are grouped into their own age brackets (Under 7, Under 12 etc.).  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.

WHAT TIME OF YEAR DOES LITTLE ATHLETICS TAKE PLACE?

Athletics is primarily a summer sport, running from October through to late March. Our centre will open registrations on the 1^st  September.  

Little Athlete ( Under 7 to Under 12 ) 

Kingsway Athletics also promotes the Winter cross-country and road walking series during the winter months taking place during April to the end of July.  Membership for the winter season is included when you register with your centre in September. 

Winters Club

WHERE WILL MY CHILD BE PARTICIPATING AND HOW OFTEN?

Kingsway Athletics holds at least 1 weekly competition meet every week. The Centre meet is a competition where all athletes from the affiliated clubs come together to participate in a variety of events and have their results recorded. Centre meets will generally be held on a Saturday but we do have the occasional Twilight meet on a week night, usually through the holiday periods.

Our affiliated clubs hold training sessions usually twice a week at their respective ground. These training sessions are not compulsory but are an important opportunity for athletes to improve their skills and learn how to use equipment safely.

State Events hosted by Athletics West are hosted at the Athletics Stadium in Floreat. 

Affiliated Clubs

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. Kingsway Athletics also proudly offers an Inclusion program for athletes with hearing, vision or physical impairments. 

HOW MUCH DOES LITTLE ATHLETICS COST?

Registration fees vary between our affiliated clubs. Please reach out to the club located closest to you for fee enquires. 

Affiliated Clubs

CAN I USE A KIDS SPORTS VOUCHER?

Kids Sport enables eligible Western Australian children aged 5 to 18 years to participate in community sport by offering them financial assistance of up to $300 per calendar year towards club fees. 

Applications can be made either online or by downloading the information and application form.  You will need to apply and have received your voucher before you can register. When selecting your club ensure you select KINGSWAY ATHLETICS

Please note, Kids Sport can take up to 10 days to be approved and for you to receive your voucher code. 

KIDS SPORT

How do I register my child?

If your child would like to take part in Athletics, you will need to register them with one of our Affiliated Clubs. Please see our 'Clubs' page which has contact details for each Club as well as a link to our online registration form.

Affiliated Clubs

Do you offer trial memberships?

If you are undecided about registering, we do offer two (2) training sessions and one (1) competition day on a “Come and Try” basis. These sessions are offered at the discretion of the Club, based on capability and capacity. Please contact your chosen Club to clarify if “Come and Try” sessions are currently being offered, before attending.

DO CHILDREN NEED TO WEAR A UNIFORM?

All registered little athletes must wear approved club uniforms when competing at Kingsway competitions. 
Your club will be able to tell you how much their uniforms cost.
Footwear must also be worn in all events, by all competing members.
Athletes will also need to wear the Kingsway Athletics uniform when competing at
Events outside of Kingsway.

What is expected of parents?

Because Little Athletics is a totally voluntary sport, Kingsway Athletics 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.

Our Centres has a parent duty roster to share the load between our clubs. 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.

If you are new to Little Athletics, we know it can feel overwhelming stepping forward to help in the beginning, but we assure you that not every role requires special skills or knowledge and there will be lots of people on hand to help guide you. Don't underestimate the effect you can have as a role model on your child's long-term participation and enjoyment in our sport. 

For any further information regarding Little Athletics please contact us on junior.info@kingswayathletics.com.au

Senior Athlete FAQs

MEMBERSHIP AND REGISTRATION 

Can I be a member of the Kingsway Athletics Senior club and any Little A club?

Yes, provided you meet the age requirement (U12-U18). Any athlete that is a member of one of our affiliate Little Athletics clubs can be a dual member with our senior club.

 ▪ To do this simply register as a dual member under your chosen Kingsway Athletics Affiliate Little Athletics Club

▪ This will allow you to compete at all Kingsway events PLUS the weekly Athletics West Strive competitions - keeping in mind you will still need to register for the strive meet prior to entries closing for that week and pay the competition entry fee - this is on top of your membership fees.

 ▪ Those athletes that are dual members must compete in their club uniforms for any events held by Kingsway and in the full Kingsway Athletics uniform at strive competitions.

What’s the minimum age I can be to join the Senior club? 

Membership is open for athletes 11 years of age and over as at 31 December of the year (U13 age group)

TRAINING AND COACHING 

Does the centre provide free training?

There will be some free training, but it will be limited.  This is the big difference from the Little Athletics to Senior Athletics. As junior athletes transition to a senior club it is time to choose a few events rather than lots of events to train for. We have several approved coaches that specialise in multiple events. They would be more than happy for you to contact them and to go and try a few sessions with their squads. ▪ Please keep in mind that squads train at different times and some coaches charge fees.

OUR COACHES

Can I train at Kingsway Athletics?

- Yes, however only during Kingsway Athletics booking times and only if you are a member of Kingsway Athletics or training with a Kingsway Athletics approved coach.

-Check out our Kingsway Athletics approved coaches page for details and contact information 

OUR COACHES

 -You are also not permitted to train in the lanes 1 & 2 on circular track and Shot Put 1 are permanently closed for training. 

COMPETING 

Competitions are a bit different at the senior level. They are run by Athletics west and are held weekly (Strive), however if you register as a Kingsway Senior (U20's U23'S or open) there may be opportunities throughout the season where you are able to nominated to compete in events hosted by Kingsway Athletics.

For any further information regarding seniors please contact us on senior.info@kingswayathletics.com.au