Frequently Asked Questions

The Little Athletic year begins in late-September and runs through to September the follow year. Track and Field season runs from September through to March the follow year. Cross Country season starts in April each year and runs through to August.

We recommend trying out before registering. Come to one of our official ‘Come and Try’ or ‘Bring a friend’ days (see the Calendar) or you can attend one of the regular competition days. Prospective athletes are welcome to try Little Aths, provided they have not already attended or previously registered with Little Aths.

You can register at any time during the athletic year, provided you meet the age requirements (see ‘What age group will I compete in?’ below).

Costs are listed on the Register page.

Generally, an athlete joins the club allocated to their school. However, this is not compulsory. For more information, please see the Clubs page.

The Centre offers athletic activities for children from the age of 5, in age groups Under 6 to Under 17. Age group is determined by the child’s age on 31 December each year. Athletes cannot register or participate in any other age group.

To find an age group, line up the athlete’s year and month of birth.

2024- 2025 Age Group Table

Athletes must be 5 by the 31 December each year.

Proof of age must be provided before your registration can be completed. Typically a Birth Certificate or Passport is best, but anything official will generally be ok. This is only required at the first season registration.

Little Athletics offers running, walking, throwing, jumping and play training events.

Track and Field: A variety of events that rotate on a 3 week program.
Cross Country: A single race at a distance contingent with their age group.

Sprints, Middle Distance, Long Distance, Hurdles, Steeplechase.
Long Jump, Triple Jump and High Jump
Race Walking
Shot Put, Discus, Javeli and Hammer.
Relays
Multi Event (Sprint, LJ, Discus, middle distance and Hurdle)
Mini Olympics/On Track: U6 to U8 non-competitive, aimed at skill acquisition and introduction to athletics.

Track and Field events are held at Knox Park on Bunjil way in Knoxfield.

Cross Country events are run at a number of locations around the Knox area. For more information, see Locations.

Track and Field morning sessions begin at 8:30am and finish around 11am, with the younger age groups finishing earlier. We also have twilight sessions that start at 6pm and finish around 8.30pm.

During the Cross Country season competition starts at 9am and finishes by 11am.

Track and Field season runs from late September to March the follow year, with a break over Christmas.

Cross Country starts in April and runs through to August.

Participation in each event is recorded during the day. Athletes receive their results at the end of each event.

For more information, see the Results page.

Open Days at other Centres.
Regional competitions with other Centres within Eastern Metropolitan Region.
State competitions – progression from Regionals.

Duty: Little athletics does not happen without the help of parent volunteers. Each family is generally asked to help every 3 or 4 weeks. Duty may include officiating an event or helping out in the canteen. There is also an opportunity to help out with centre and club administration. The centre and its clubs appreciate any help you can provide. For more information, please contact your Club.

Spectating: When not on duty, parents and spectators are asked to remain behind the fence line. This is for athlete and spectator safety, and minimises disruptions to events. Where appropriate, athletes will be escorted to their event.

Supervision: For the safety of your children – athletes and non-athletes, please ensure your children are appropriately supervised at all times.

It’s for the family! Little Athletics is more than fun and fitness. It’s a family movement that promotes family participation. It’s a real chance for the family to do things together regularly.

The centre provides training for athletes. Sessions are run by qualified coaches. The skills developed through training and competition provide a basis for many sports. The Centre organises training for regular competition and special days.

During regular competition, there’s always someone around to show athletes how and what to do. For more information, please see the Training page.

Professional First Aid is provided at all Knox events.

The centre has a strict safety policy and all registered athletes are covered by insurance with the Victorian Little Athletics Association. If you are not registered with LA Vic but wish to participate in an event (for example, Bring a Friend day), you must sign-in with the centre to ensure you are covered by this insurance. If you have any queries regarding insurance please see the Certificate of currency or contact the Centre Secretary.

At the end of each season, presentations are made to athletes based on their performance, improvement and participation. Awards may include trophies, medals and certificates. Clubs may offer awards too.

Anyone can become a little athlete. Children of all abilities are encouraged to join. Our emphasis is on fun and fitness, and children are encouraged to achieve their own personal best. Athletic ability is not a prerequisite for joining the centre.

Children of all abilities are encouraged to join. Athletes with special needs are integrated with other athletes and compete with appropriately modified regulations, equipment and technique.

Yes! Athletes can take part in other centre activities, provided they have completed the appropriate registration to do so. Alternatively athletes can transfer from one centre to another. In this case, additional fees may need to be paid.

Yes! Official ‘Come and Try’ and ‘Bring a Friend’ days are conducted in the early part of each season. Alternatively, you can attend any of the regular competition days.

When you come down, make yourself known to the Program Manager (in the announcing booth at the top of the Grandstand). Children will be checked-in and given a temporary registration, and can then participate in events with their age group.

Note: Prospective athletes are welcome to try Little Aths, provided they have not already attended or previously registered with Little Aths.

Yes! Athletes wear a uniform when they compete. During normal competitions, athletes wear a club uniform. For region and state events, athletes must wear the Knox uniform. For more information, see the Uniforms page.

Yes! You can register or update your details via this Knox LAC – WWCC Google Form. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdg3L9WPCCUH53zGLIBURHoYQ_m9sr6ylULCBuw02c2fZTHRw/viewform