Season Welcoming Letter From The Club.
The season is almost upon us so we are just putting out some start-up information at this stage of the year to arm you with the details you will need to get started with us. Athletics is not just a great physical outing, it is a great social event for parents and kids alike, and we would love to see as many new athletes join the club in this Olympic year as we can.
Our club meets on a Sunday morning at the ‘back oval’ at Trinity College. This year we are meeting between 9 – 9:15am so the athletes can go for a warm up run at 9:15 ready for a start at 9:30 sharp. The meet has typically lasted for about 2 to 2.5 hours for older athletes, an hour or so for Tiny Tots, however this year we are looking to introduce some small changes to improve the efficiency of the events. This year the season starts on the 9th of October with a season opener/come and try day. There will be a shorter program run on the day as we will be combining the regular first meet of the season with some orientation time for the first timers. Program details will be here prior to the start of the season.
Athletics is not a drop and go sport, at least one parent or guardian is required to stay with your athletes for insurance purposes, and help is needed as each age group in chaperoned by volunteer parents to record results, measure throws and help with the smooth running of the day. Besides, it is a great time to watch your children better themselves each and every week.
Athletes of all ages can attend up to two come and try sessions per season free of charge at any stage. Please disregard the note on the web page that refers to payment. Paper forms will be available on the day, but the on line form is easier.
Being school grounds there in definitely no smoking, drugs or alcohol allowed anywhere on the premises. Dogs are also not permitted on the oval, with the exception of assistance dogs.
Should your children be too young to join the athletes (Under 6 to Under 17) there is an active Tiny Tots program for children 3 to 5 years of age that encompasses skills based games that are focused on participation and fun. The fundamental skills of running, jumping and throwing are approached through "appropriate" activities for 3-5 year olds. Emphasis is not on competition but on the development of young children and this is incorporated in play and relatively unstructured games. Games include activities such as running and jumping over mini hurdles, hoops, throwing and catching bean bags but also the children are introduced to athletics events such as the long jump or a 50m run on the track. We are seeking some assistance with the Tiny Tot coordination moving forward so if this sounds of interest to you then please have a chat with us on the day.
The athletes (U6 and above) are challenged with most of the events you would have seen in athletics recently such as running and walking (50 metres to 1500 metres maximum), hurdles, long, high and triple jumps, discus, shot put and javelin (for older age groups). Results are officially recorded by the association and awards given periodically and at seasons end for various achievements.
During the season events are held at the Athletics Stadium at Mile End. These aren’t compulsory but are open to all athletes, however some events do require qualifying times or distances to be achieved for the athlete to compete. There are events held at other local clubs such as Improvers Days and Regional days which gives families a chance to see their athletes compete with other clubs in new locations. Details of all of these will be made available at the meets and also on the club calendar. Should you find yourself out of town for a meet, you are also eligible to compete at other clubs on their days should you wish and depending on their schedules, some meet on different days.
Fees this year start from $125 for the first child or $110 for Tiny Tots with small discounts applying to additional age group athletes, which considering this covers the athletes for a Summer and Winter season (Summer home program + Winter Cross Country) compares quite favourably with other sports. The association is also registered for the ‘Sports Voucher’ scheme if you have not already claimed a voucher for your child this year, a saving of $50. Uniforms are compulsory, which consist of the club shirt (polo, tee or singlet), plain black shorts and white socks. Logos on shorts are permitted however they are to be no bigger than 30mm square – this is a SALAA regulation. Closed footwear is compulsory, regular running shoes are fine however if your athlete is inclined to wear spiked running shoes please be aware there are rules surrounding these, further information available on the SALAA website. Tiny tots are permitted to wear a plain grey polo shirt rather than club shirt. Shorts are generally available from outlets such as Sports Power or other retailers. There is of course some delay between ordering uniforms and receiving them, in the meantime it is absolutely fine for the athletes to simply wear something appropriate to compete in on meet days.
Our club is run by a dedicated crew of volunteer committee members, and we couldn’t have a club without them. Although there is a lot that goes in to running any club, it doesn’t have to be hard work. With enough dedicated volunteers on side to help out with some of the many tasks required it can be easy and rewarding. Many hands make light work, and there is always room for more assistance on the committee. We would like to put it out there that once you are comfortable with the week to week activities and have familiarised yourself with the club, consider joining the committee! Perhaps first as a general member and then possibly taking on one of the variety of specialised roles later on, it is a rewarding experience so if you would like to be a part of the team, please come and have a chat with us.
Thanks for your interest in our club, the website will be updated with information as it comes to hand. Most routine communications will be via the Team App so please look at downloading that app and joining us. If you have any questions please feel free to ask, and hopefully we will see you come along for the start of the season.
Best Regards
Gawler Little Athletics Centre.
Our club meets on a Sunday morning at the ‘back oval’ at Trinity College. This year we are meeting between 9 – 9:15am so the athletes can go for a warm up run at 9:15 ready for a start at 9:30 sharp. The meet has typically lasted for about 2 to 2.5 hours for older athletes, an hour or so for Tiny Tots, however this year we are looking to introduce some small changes to improve the efficiency of the events. This year the season starts on the 9th of October with a season opener/come and try day. There will be a shorter program run on the day as we will be combining the regular first meet of the season with some orientation time for the first timers. Program details will be here prior to the start of the season.
Athletics is not a drop and go sport, at least one parent or guardian is required to stay with your athletes for insurance purposes, and help is needed as each age group in chaperoned by volunteer parents to record results, measure throws and help with the smooth running of the day. Besides, it is a great time to watch your children better themselves each and every week.
Athletes of all ages can attend up to two come and try sessions per season free of charge at any stage. Please disregard the note on the web page that refers to payment. Paper forms will be available on the day, but the on line form is easier.
Being school grounds there in definitely no smoking, drugs or alcohol allowed anywhere on the premises. Dogs are also not permitted on the oval, with the exception of assistance dogs.
Should your children be too young to join the athletes (Under 6 to Under 17) there is an active Tiny Tots program for children 3 to 5 years of age that encompasses skills based games that are focused on participation and fun. The fundamental skills of running, jumping and throwing are approached through "appropriate" activities for 3-5 year olds. Emphasis is not on competition but on the development of young children and this is incorporated in play and relatively unstructured games. Games include activities such as running and jumping over mini hurdles, hoops, throwing and catching bean bags but also the children are introduced to athletics events such as the long jump or a 50m run on the track. We are seeking some assistance with the Tiny Tot coordination moving forward so if this sounds of interest to you then please have a chat with us on the day.
The athletes (U6 and above) are challenged with most of the events you would have seen in athletics recently such as running and walking (50 metres to 1500 metres maximum), hurdles, long, high and triple jumps, discus, shot put and javelin (for older age groups). Results are officially recorded by the association and awards given periodically and at seasons end for various achievements.
During the season events are held at the Athletics Stadium at Mile End. These aren’t compulsory but are open to all athletes, however some events do require qualifying times or distances to be achieved for the athlete to compete. There are events held at other local clubs such as Improvers Days and Regional days which gives families a chance to see their athletes compete with other clubs in new locations. Details of all of these will be made available at the meets and also on the club calendar. Should you find yourself out of town for a meet, you are also eligible to compete at other clubs on their days should you wish and depending on their schedules, some meet on different days.
Fees this year start from $125 for the first child or $110 for Tiny Tots with small discounts applying to additional age group athletes, which considering this covers the athletes for a Summer and Winter season (Summer home program + Winter Cross Country) compares quite favourably with other sports. The association is also registered for the ‘Sports Voucher’ scheme if you have not already claimed a voucher for your child this year, a saving of $50. Uniforms are compulsory, which consist of the club shirt (polo, tee or singlet), plain black shorts and white socks. Logos on shorts are permitted however they are to be no bigger than 30mm square – this is a SALAA regulation. Closed footwear is compulsory, regular running shoes are fine however if your athlete is inclined to wear spiked running shoes please be aware there are rules surrounding these, further information available on the SALAA website. Tiny tots are permitted to wear a plain grey polo shirt rather than club shirt. Shorts are generally available from outlets such as Sports Power or other retailers. There is of course some delay between ordering uniforms and receiving them, in the meantime it is absolutely fine for the athletes to simply wear something appropriate to compete in on meet days.
Our club is run by a dedicated crew of volunteer committee members, and we couldn’t have a club without them. Although there is a lot that goes in to running any club, it doesn’t have to be hard work. With enough dedicated volunteers on side to help out with some of the many tasks required it can be easy and rewarding. Many hands make light work, and there is always room for more assistance on the committee. We would like to put it out there that once you are comfortable with the week to week activities and have familiarised yourself with the club, consider joining the committee! Perhaps first as a general member and then possibly taking on one of the variety of specialised roles later on, it is a rewarding experience so if you would like to be a part of the team, please come and have a chat with us.
Thanks for your interest in our club, the website will be updated with information as it comes to hand. Most routine communications will be via the Team App so please look at downloading that app and joining us. If you have any questions please feel free to ask, and hopefully we will see you come along for the start of the season.
Best Regards
Gawler Little Athletics Centre.
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