Sunday 26th APRIL, 2015
WA ATHLETICS STADIUM
PERTH
STATE TEAM
INFORMATION BOOKLET
TO ALL UNDER 13 & 15 ATHLETES
AUSTRALIAN LITTLE ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
PERTH 2015
CONTENTS
1. CALENDAR OF EVENTS
2. WELCOME
3. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
4. GENERAL INFORMATION
5. SELECTION PROCESS
APPENDIX 1 – GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION U13 ATHLETES
APPENDIX 2 – GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION U15 ATHLETES
6. ALAC PROGRAM
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
McDonald’s Multi-Event Champ
22nd February 2015
SA Athletics Stadium
Be Active State Individual Champ
21st - 22nd March 2015
SA Athletics Stadium
Australian Little Athletics Champ
26th April 2015
Perth
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WELCOME
Little Athletics SA Welcome
Little Athletics SA and the Board of Directors welcomes you to the 2015 South Australian State program.
This season the Australian Little Athletics Championships will be held in Perth on Sunday 26th April
2015.
The purpose of this document is to provide eligible members with a reference guide to gain greater
understanding and clarify questions relating to the State team process.
It is hoped that you will all become familiar with the contents of this document and keep it for
reference. If a particular issue is not addressed in this publication, please contact the State Association
Office.
BACKGROUND
Each year, South Australia sends 26 athletes to compete in the Australian Little Athletics Championships.
The first Little Athletics Interstate Teams Championship (as it was first known) was held in Melbourne
in 1970 and in the subsequent years has grown into an event attracting teams from all Australian States
and Territories and receiving national recognition as a significant event on the sporting calendar.
The event is run on behalf of Little Athletics Australia (LAA) by each of the States in turn, with the
roster for the next few years being:
2015
2016
2017
Western Australia
South Australia
New South Wales
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ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
LITTLE ATHLETICS SA ROLES
Prior to the commencement of State Selection, Little Athletics SA will:
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Advertise and announce the appointment of all coaches and team manager positions
Secure advanced bookings for travel, accommodation and activities as required
Underwrite booking fees until final selections are announced
Book facilities for all trainings and functions
During the selection process, and until the competition of the Australian Little Athletics Championships,
Little Athletics SA will:
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Support all coaches and managers through the provision of administrative services
Lodge relevant paperwork with Little Athletics Australia, as well as specific Championship
organisers
Pay the travel expenses, including air, travel and accommodation of team personnel
After the conclusion of the Australian Little Athletics Championships, Little Athletics SA will conduct a
debrief with all Coaches and Team managers and have them produce a report for the Annual Report.
COACHES AND TEAM MANAGERS
Two State Coaches and two Team Managers are appointed by Little Athletics SA and are responsible
for a myriad of duties, but generally the health and well-being of the players.
All Team Personnel are totally accountable to the SALAA Board for their actions.
Team Personnel are responsible for all training, team social involvement, travel and all other relevant
matters associated with the Team, following selection until their return from the Australian Little
Athletic Championships.
ATHLETES
Little Athletics SA Staff, Team Managers and Coaches will all demonstrate the upmost respect to every
athlete. In return, it is expected that all athletes respect the code of conduct, as well as rules that are
specific to their program. Athletes are to abide by Coaches and managers directions as these people
have the best interests of not only the individual, but the team in mind.
Athletes selected must be prepared to:
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Be a part of a team and follow any instructions given by Team Management
Be punctual at all times
Attend each day listed in the itinerary
Adhere to athletes code of conduct
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PARENTS
We understand parents want to do everything they can to ensure their children enjoy a positive Little
Athletics experience. Little Athletics SA requires assistance to ensure this can be achieved.
Parents of selected athletes must be prepared to:
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Make sure athletes attend commitments on time
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Entrust the care and responsibility of your child to the team management at all team
activities and especially at the Australian Little Athletic Championships
Prompt payment of fees in accordance with invoice
Adhere to parents code of conduct
Ensure athletes are available to attend trainings/activities/functions as listed in the itinerary,
unless prior approval by the State Team Coach
Parenting and coaching are both challenging responsibilities. Understanding the role of each, and
following the proper channels of communication, will enable parents and coaches to work effectively
together. In most circumstances, the Team Manager can address the concerns of a parent. However, on
occasion issues or concerns may arise that need to be discussed with the coach. These may include:
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Notification well in advance of schedule conflicts
Health issues concerning an athlete
Any distractions that may be affecting your daughters/sons athletic performance
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GENERAL INFORMATION
1
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT
The State Team will be announced on the Wednesday following the completion of the State
Individual Championships. The team will be released via The Advertiser, SALAA Website and Social
Media once all members have been notified.
Once selected, athletes will receive a confirmation letter from the Board of Directors and State Team
Administrator congratulating them on their achievement. They will also be provided with an
information pack that will include all relevant details regarding travel, accommodation and all
appropriate forms that must be read, completed and signed and returned to the Association office by
the nominated date.
2
TEAM TRAININGS
After selection has been made, athletes must attend all compulsory training and coaching sessions and
other functions arranged for the team prior to competing at the Australian Little Athletic
Championships so their progress and fitness can be fully monitored.
Training normally commences the Sunday following State
continues to the weekend prior to departure of the State Team.
Individual Championships
and
PERSONAL COACHES
Personal Coaches may not be used at state team training sessions. The State Coach may request
assistance from some of the personal Coaches to help in the training of all members of the State Team.
3 INJURIES
Any athlete after being selected, and who subsequently suffers or is considered to be suffering from an
injury, sickness or accident must advise the Team Manager or Manageress immediately.
If the Injury/Illness is considered to be significant it will be necessary for the Athlete to undertake and
pass a fitness test, to the satisfaction of the selectors. Failure to advise or undertake the test will result
in that athlete being excluded as a competitor from the Team.
The selectors will decide if any injured athlete should be replaced. In such cases, the athletes would be
given the opportunity to join in and be a non-participating member of the Team at their own complete
expense.
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TRAVEL PRINCIPLES
All children are expected to become an integral part of the team once they have accepted selection.
Athletes are obliged to:
Accommodation
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Stay at accommodation arranged by State Team Personnel
Little Athletics SA respectively request that parents do not book the same accommodation as
the team. This is to promote team cohesion and to assist in focusing each athlete solely on the
team and the competition
Each athlete will have their own bed – No sharing
Athletes and Coaches in separate rooms
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Transport
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All athletes are expected to travel together as a team
Air travel will be booked for the teams prior to travel
Athletes will be transported throughout trip by private bus
COSTS
Little Athletics prides itself on being a low cost sport and this carries over to children selected in our
State Team. The total participation cost to each athlete is expected to be approximately $1250.00,
$70.00 of which will be returned as pocket money to the athlete.
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UNIFORMS
All Team Members will be required to wear the official uniforms provided by the Association on the day
of competition and for any function prior to the day, as determined by the Managers and Association
Officials. Final details on the uniform fitting will be advised to selected athletes.
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TEAM CONTROL
All team members will be under the control of the Team Managers from the time of departure at the
airport until the conclusion of the Championships.
If an athlete’s behaviour is unacceptable, Team Personnel have been authorized by the Board of
Directors to remove such athlete/s from the selected team prior to, or even after departure. Parents
will be notified of such action and the athlete/s will also be returned home to their parents on the first
available transportation, at the parents’ expense.
Such items that may require a Team member replacement or expulsion include:
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Injury
Athletes behaviour
Parental interference
Failure to attend training sessions
Failure to compete in designated events.
The welfare of the State Team as a unit is the prime concern in any decisions made.
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SELECTION PROCESS
GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION OF THE TEAM
An independent panel is appointed to carry out South Australia’s selection philosophies which adhere
strongly to the Team concept in the selection and handling of its representative team. This means that
the collective ability of the team to score points is rated more highly than the winning of individual
medals.
It is encouraged all Under 13 and Under 15 athlete’s to make themselves available for selection
however, athletes who do not wish to be considered should make it clear to the State Team Selectors.
Reserves will be selected but names will not be released. Any athlete who does not fulfil their obligations
as a State Team Member (i.e. attend functions and/or activities as deemed necessary by the Team
Personnel) may be replaced by a reserve athlete.
Once the selectors have named the athletes and their events the decision is final, there will be no
change to athletes or events unless necessitated by physical injury.
If injury occurs on the actual day of competition, the person withdrawn can take no further part in the
competition (this includes relays if the injury relates to a track event) unless in events unaffected by the
injury (i.e. a person withdraws from the discus because of a hand injury could subsequently compete in a
track event).
APPENDIX 1 – GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION
UNDER 13 STATE TEAM
The Australian Little Athletics Championships (ALAC) Teams event is a one-day team’s competition for
Under 13 age group athletes in which each athlete gains points for events towards a total team points
score.
1.
Team Composition:
Each Association is entitled to send an Under 13 Team of up to 22 athletes. Ideally this is made up of 11
boys and 11 girls, however this is not compulsory. An Association may take less than 22 athletes.
2.
Events:
a)
There are 13 individual events contested by both boys and girls, being, 100m 200m, 400m, 800m,
1500m, 1500m walk, 80m hurdles, long jump, triple jump, high jump, shot put, discus and javelin. A
4x100m boys and girls team relay concludes the competition.
b)
Each Association may enter up to two athletes in each individual event and one team in each relay
event.
c)
Each athlete may compete in a maximum of four individual events or a maximum of three
individual events plus one relay.
d)
All athletes competing in the 100m, 200m, 400m, and 80m hurdles will compete in a heat and final
or consolation final. The heat and final or consolation final is deemed to be one event.
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3.
Selection Criteria:
a)
Athletes performances recorded at the following Association Events will provide scope for the
Selectors in selecting the State Team, however the Team will be finalised based on performances at
the State Individual Championships:
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Any of the 8 Regional Games
Personal Best Day
State Multi-Event Championships
State Individual Championships
Results submitted by Centre Recorders will be used as a guide.
b) Athletes must be registered with a Centre or Club affiliated with the South Australian Little Athletics
Association Inc. on or before the 30th November 2014.
c) The athlete must have competed with their Centre/Club, for a minimum of 50% of available meets
from the day of registration to the end of the qualifying period for the State Individual
Championships.
The term “competed with their Centre/Club’ means have taken part in at least half of the available
events with their Centre at a programmed home meet or at a programmed visit to another
Centre/Club that is affiliated with South Australian Little Athletics Association Inc. or at a
programmed Association Event. Verification of the above eligibility will be made by the State Team
Personnel for each of the selected Athletes. Selectors will confirm eligibility with the Association
Registrar.
d) The Selection Panel has the sole right in determining the required standard for selection. Athletes
will not be selected merely to make the numbers, even if their performances are the best in the
State, but are considered a low standard in comparison with performances by other Associations
athletes.
e) The Selectors will take the athlete’s attitude, behaviour and ability to co-operate with others into
account when selecting the Team.
4.
Implications for Selection:
The Selection Panel must attempt to fill sixty available event spots with the combination of twentytwo athletes that potentially has the greatest chance of gaining maximum team points for South
Australia, therefore:
a) There is no guarantee of being selected.
b) Winning an event at LASA Championship Events does not necessarily ensure selection.
c) A good second or third place with a back-up event may be more attractive to Selectors with
reference to ALAC Program of Events.
d) Athletes need not necessarily win a medal at the LASA Championship Events to be selected. E.g.
two or more top eight placing may attract Selectors with reference to the ALAC Program of Events.
e) Athletes generally will need to perform well at more than one event. Single specialists who appear
to have no obvious ‘back-up’ events may be selected, but only when it is the best team option. A
better-performed athlete in a particular event at the LASA Championship Events may potentially
not score any better for that event at the ALAC than a lower performed athlete in the same event
at the LASA State Championships. The lower-performed athlete may offer better selection options
in other events and therefore be selected in front of the ‘better-performed’ athlete in that event.
f)
In an endeavor to fill all event vacancies, athletes may be selected to compete in events at the ALAC
in which they did not compete in at the LASA State Championship Events.
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5.
Scoring at the Australian Teams Championships:
a) Points are equated to place, not performance. The points table for the individual events is 17 for
first place, 15 for second, and then decreases by one point for each lower place down to one point
for 16th place. This means that although a performance may be considerably better than the next
place-getter, the better performance may score at least two, but generally only one point more for
that event.
b) Relay events are awarded double the corresponding points scored in individual events.
c) All competitors are awarded points for their placing therefore; it is the quality of both athletes
entered into that event that is important. In this context, a fourth and fifth placing (total 25 points)
at the ALAC, is better than first and twelfth placing (total 22 points) for a team.
6.
Other selection considerations:
As the ALAC is a one-day Championship, certain selection rules and guidelines apply. Athlete
workload and recovery time must be taken into account. Therefore:
a) In the selection process, selectors must pay attention to the ALAC Timetable of events to note
potential clashes. It should be noted that the ALAC event clashes would obviously be different to
those at the LASA State Championships. Due to the nature of the ALAC timetable of events,
however, it is inevitable that some athletes will be selected to compete in events that do clash or
are in close proximity to each other on the ALAC Program.
b) Where possible no athlete will be selected in more than two endurance events. In this case,
endurance events will be defined as 400m, 800m, 1500m and 1500m walk.
APPENDIX 2 - GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION
U/15 MULTI-EVENT STATE TEAM
The Australian Little Athletics Championships (ALAC) Multi-Event is an individual competition for Under
15 Athletes. Each athlete competes in five events. Points are based on the best performance in each
event totaled to determine the overall placing
The ALAC Multi-Event is conducted in conjunction with, and on the same day and at the same venue, as
the Australian Little Athletics Championships Under 13 Teams Event.
1. Team Composition:
Each Association shall be entitled to enter up to two boys and two girls who are registered with ALA
affiliated Association in the Under 15 age group in the current season of the ALAC.
2. Events:
Events for competition are the 200m, 800m, 90m hurdles, Shot put and Long Jump for girls and
100m, 800m, 100m Hurdles, Long jump and Discus for boys.
3. Selection Criteria:
a)
Two Boys and Two Girls will be selected based on their performances at the LASA Multi-Event
Championships.
b)
Selection will be determined on the events contested at the ALAC Multi-Event Championships.
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c)
The point score system used to determine selections would be that of Australian Little Athletics, not
the point scoring system used by South Australia for their Multi-Event Championships.
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Each competitor will be allocated points for their performance in each of the 5 events, such
points to be based on Australian Little Athletics standard Multi-Event point scoring.
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The aggregate of points shall determine the competitor’s placing in the Multi-Event
Championships.
d)
To be eligible for selection, athletes must be registered with South Australian Little Athletics
Association, be in the Under 15 age group for the 2014/2015 Season and have registered with the
Centre/Club on or before the 30th November 2014.
e)
The athlete must have competed with their Centre for a minimum of 50% of available meets from
the day of their registration to the end of the qualifying period for the State Individual
Championships.
The term ‘Competed with their Centre/Club’ means have taken part in at least half of the available
events with their Centre/Club at a programmed home meet or at a programmed visit to another
Centre/Club that is affiliated with LASA or at a programmed Association Event. Verification of the
above eligibility will be made by State Team Personnel for each of these selected athletes and
Selectors will confirm eligibility with the Association Registrar.
4.
Track Events:
a)
Starting blocks may be used in any track event at the ALC excluding 800 metres.
b)
Lanes shall be used for the 100 metres and the 90/100m hurdles.
c)
The start for the 800 metres shall be conducted in lanes as far as the break line that is just prior to
the end of the first bend with up to two competitors occupying each lane.
5.
Specifications:
a)
Long Jump
The take-off will be from a board in accordance with IAAF rules.
b)
Triple Jump
7 and 9 metre boards will be used.
c)
Shot Put
3kg shot put will be used for the girls.
d)
Discus
1kg discus will be used for boys and girls; the specification of the discus is to
conform to IAAF regulations.
e)
Hurdles:
i. The 90m hurdle event for girls shall have 9 flights of hurdles spaced as follows:
Distance from start to first hurdle
Distance between hurdles
Distance from last hurdle to finish
13 metres
8 metres
13 metres
ii. The 100 metres hurdle event for boys shall have 10 flights of hurdles spaced as follows:
Distance from start to first hurdle
Distance between hurdles
Distance from last hurdle to finish
13 metres
8.5 metres
10.5 metres
iii. The height of the hurdles shall be 76 centimeters minimum.
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2015 AUSTRALIAN LITTLE ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
PROGRAM OF EVENTS
Give consideration to the Timetable when selecting events to compete in at Association Events. All track
events up to 400m have a heat and final.
Start Time
10:00am
10:00am
10:00am
10:10am
10:10am
10:10am
10:20am
10:30am
10:40am
10:40am
10:50am
11:00am
11:10am
11:10am
11:40am
11:50am
12:00pm
12:10pm
12:10pm
12:20pm
12:20pm
12:20pm
12:30pm
12:50pm
1:00pm
1:10pm
1:10pm
1:30pm
1:30pm
1:40pm
1:50pm
2:10pm
2:20pm
2:30pm
2:30pm
2:40pm
2:40pm
2:40pm
3:00pm
3:10pm
3:20pm
3:30pm
3:40pm
3:50pm
4:20pm
4:30pm
4:40pm
Gender
Boys
Girls
Girls
Boys
Boys
Girls
Girls
Boys
Boys
Girls
Girls
Boys
Girls
Boys
Boys
Girls
Boys
Boys
Girls
Girls
Boys
Girls
Girls
Boys
Boys
Girls
Girls
Boys
Boys
Girls
Boys
Girls
Boys
Boys
Girls
Girls
Girls
Boys
Boys
Girls
Girls
Boys
Boys
Girls
Mixed
Boys
Girls
Age
U13
U13
U15
U13
U13
U13
U13
U15
U13
U15
U13
U13
U13
U15
U13
U13
U13
U13
U13
U13
U13
U13
U15
U15
U13
U13
U15
U13
U15
U13
U13
U13
U13
U13
U13
U13
U13
U13
U13
U13
U15
U15
U13
U13
U15
U13
U13
Event
Triple Jump
High Jump
200m
100m
Javelin
Discus
100m
100m
1500m
Shot Put
1500m
100m
100m
Long Jump
400m
400m
High Jump
80m Hurdles
Triple Jump
80m Hurdles
Shot Put
Javelin
90m Hurdles
100m Hurdles
80m Hurdles
80m Hurdles
Long Jump
400m
Discus
400m
1500m Walk
1500m Walk
Long Jump
200m
Long Jump
200m
Shot Put
Discus
800m
800m
800m
800m
200m
200m
4x100m
4x100m
4x100m
Heat/Final
Final
Final
Multi-Event
Heats
Final
Final
Heats
Multi-Event
Final
Multi-Event
Final
Final & Consolation Final
Final & Consolation Final
Multi-Event
Heats
Heats
Final
Heats
Final
Heats
Final
Final
Multi-Event
Multi-Event
Final & Consolation Final
Final & Consolation Final
Multi-Event
Final & Consolation Final
Multi-Event
Final & Consolation Final
Final
Final
Final
Heats
Final
Heats
Final
Final
Final
Final
Multi-Event
Multi-Event
Final & Consolation Final
Final & Consolation Final
Multi-Event
Final
Final
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