AUSTRALIAN LITTLE ATHLETICS EXPANDS CHAMPIONSHIPS WITH NEW AGE GROUPS

Coles Little Athletics Australia has today announced the Australian Little Athletics Championships in 2023 will be expanded to include Under 14 athletes and Under 15-16 Multi-Class athletes to increase opportunities for Little Athletes. 

The 2023 Coles Australian Little Athletics Championships will be held in Melbourne at Lakeside Stadium from 21 to 23 April 2023 incorporating the existing Under 13 Athletes and Under 13-14 Multi-Class/Para athletes, the Under 15 Little Athletics Combined Events Championships and include the new Under 14 and Under 15-U16 Multi-Class athletes. 

Athletics West have outlined how the new structure will operate and what Championships Athletes will be eligible for:

Under 13 Athletes & Under 13-14 Multi-Class/Para Athletes

• Stylised as the Australian Teams Championships, Under 13 athletes and Under 13-14 Multi-Class athletes are representing their Member Association and compete for Team points.  The athletes are awarded points in the events, based on their performance – place.  The points accumulate across all events and contribute to the 3 Trophies that is the foundation of this Teams event.
• Athletes are selected based on criteria approved by the Member Association.

Under 14 Athletes & Under 15-16 Multi-Class/Para Athletes

• Stylised as the Little Athletics Australian Junior Athletics Championships, different to the Athletics Australia Junior Track & Field Championships, is a new Individual Championship where Under 14 athletes and Under 15-16 Multi-Class athletes represent their Member Association.
• Athletes are selected based on criteria determined by Little Athletics Australia:
  • Last season’s (2021-22) Under 13 athletes that finished 1^st, 2^nd, & 3^rd from the 2022 State Little Athletics Track & Field Championships, qualify for selection in the new U14 Championships.
  • Last season’s (2021-22) Under 14-15 Multi-Class athletes that finished 1^st or 2^nd in all events, from the 2022 Little Athletics State Track & Field Championships, qualify for selection in the U15-U16 Multi-Class events.
• Athletes will be invited to register for the new Championships between late December and early January via a national registration portal. The registration portal will close on Monday 30th January 2023.
• Athletes can select any, or all events, that they have qualified in.

Under 15 Athletes

• Stylised as the Australian Combined Events Championships, where the U15 athletes are representing their Member Association and compete for Team points.  The athletes are awarded points in the Combined Events, based on their performance – place.  The points accumulate across all events and contribute to the Trophy that is the foundation of this Teams event.
• Athletes are selected based on criteria approved by the Member Association.

For more information on the 2023 Coles Australian Little Athletics Championships, CLICK HERE.  

For more information about WA State Teams and how to qualify for upcoming National Events, including Athletics Australia’s Track & Field Championships set for Queensland, CLICK HERE.

To follow all of the latest athletics action from Adelaide, head to Athletics West’s Facebook & Instagram Pages.

For any queries, please contact Athletics West at admin@athleticswest.com.au or 08 6272 0480.