Holroyd Little Athletics

FAQs

What is Little Athletics?

Little Athletics is the foundation for all sports and is a uniquely Australian sport for children aged 4-17 years. It offers young people the opportunity to maximise the enjoyment, develop their personal and athletic growth, sportsmanship, self esteem and life skills through engaging in athletics. Setting them up for their sporting future. We provide a safe, healthy, inclusive and positive environment in which our members and interested participants of our community can learn the fundamentals of sports.

Where is Holroyd LACs weekly competition held?

Holroyd Sports Ground - Cnr of Peel St and Robert St, Holroyd (Merrylands)

When is the weekly competition held?

Every Friday evening during September to March with a 4 week break during the Dec - Jan school holidays.

What time does Friday evening competition start?

Arrive by 5.45pm for a 6pm start.

What time does Friday evening competition finish?

Finish is roughly around 7.30pm (depending on the age and athlete numbers in an age group). On the weeks Javelin is held for the 11s and above - they will start after most of the events have finished (for safety reasons).

What type of track does Holroyd LAC have?

Grass.

Is there car parking?

Yes, there is council car parking available as you enter the gates and to the left. Further parking is available to the right and down the driveway. Street parking is also an option. Limited parking is reserved for committee members within the gates to the grounds.

Is there a uniform?

Yes, the uniform is worn when participating in Friday evening centre competitions as well as inter-center competitions and carnivals. All children must be in full uniform by their 4th week of competition. The uniform is not required for training sessions. For further uniform details and prices, please refer to the Uniform tab on this website.

Friday evening process #1

Parents and athletes arrive before 5.45pm. Parents who are volunteering as age managers, track or field officials, starters, time keepers or helping at the finish line need to sign on and collect an orange safety vest.

Friday evening process #2

At 5.45pm all children will be called to the marshalling area where they line up in their correct age groups with their age managers. Athletes are to follow the direction of the age managers throughout the evening where they will compete in various events. Times and distances will be recorded for each event.

New season expectations

Usually at the beginning of a new season, we like to ease in gently to assist the new athletes and parents with making new friends and learning how we operate. It is usually around three weeks before everything is running smoothly, so just bear with us while we train parent volunteers with their duties and allow a little time for the children to settle into the routine. We run a two-week program which means that over a two-week period your child should do all the events for their age group once.

Wet weather and Friday evening competitions

If the council has closed the grounds due to wet weather, then Friday evening competition will be cancelled. This is usually determined by 3pm. Otherwise we will make a decision by 5.30pm. We will inform parents on this website, by email, facebook and the dedicated WhatsApp HLAC information group.

Where can I receive Holroyd news and updates?

News and updates will be available most weeks, information will be emailed, usually on a Thursday afternoon. If we don’t have your email address, please come and see us or email us at [email protected] and we can add you to our email list. Some information will be displayed on this website page too.

Is there a canteen available on Friday evenings?

Yes, the canteen operates every Friday evening with a variety of hot food and snacks. We also offer coffee and cold drinks. It is best to PRE-ORDER and pay for your chosen items of hot food prior to commencement of competition on a Friday evening. This will assist the canteen volunteers to determine the quantity of hot food to cook. Payment - both cash and card options are available.

Is training available?

Yes, training for our registered athletes is offered throughout the season and is included in your membership (there is no extra cost). Training is conducted by our qualified coaching staff and parent volunteers. If you are interested in assisting with training, please contact our Coaching Co-Ordinator. Our training is conducted across the events on Monday and Wednesday evenings. Changes to training could occur throughout the season, members will be advised. NOTE: There is NO training on Public Holidays, Long weekends or Mondays after Championship competitions. For more details on training, please refer to the Days and Announcement pages on this website.

First Aid

First Aid is located inside the Administration Building (club house). Please report all injuries to First Aid to be recorded and treated.

Where is smoking permitted?

As per Section 6A of the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000, Smoking (including e-cigarettes/vaping) is banned on the field, under the amenities building veranda/stairs/seating area or near children during the Friday evening competition. If you need to smoke, please move to the car park area behind the fences.

Are cans of drink allowed on the field?

No, it is best not to bring cans of drink on the field. Any cans left on the field become a risk for the large council mower to run over and shred it into sharp slivers that are then are hidden in the grass and can cause severe injury. Please be mindful and remove all cans.

Is alcohol allowed at Holroyd during Friday evening completions?

Little Athletics is an Alcohol-Free Zone for the duration of the competition on Friday evenings as well as any other carnivals, competitions or training sessions. This is an Association Rule and it is policed. This means there is no alcohol to be consumed at Holroyd Sports Ground whilst Little Athletics is in progress.

What do I do when my child is or has been absent on a Friday evening?

Should your child be unable to participate on a Friday evening due to injuries etc, please contact us by email or message with a brief explanation and provide a medical certificate if possible. This will ensure that points for attendance are awarded accordingly.

End of season awards how are they assessed?

At Holroyd Little Athletics Centre, we allocate competition points for all events each Friday evening of Competition during the season. At our end of season presentation, there are Achievement Awards available in all age groups from Tiny Tots to Under 18. These awards are based on the accumulation of points which are assessed on: *Attendance and participation both on Friday evening competitions and at our inter-centre competitions. *Attendance after the New Year break (must compete on a Friday evening at least 3 times between January - March). *Behaviour and sportsmanship. *Training and commitment to improvement including the number of Personal Best (PB)s achieved that season. There are also Centre awards given for outstanding achievements and improvement across the season by our athletes. This includes athletic achievement and contribution to our culture and sport.

I want to know more about Discus

Resources are available on LANSW website

Discus event fact sheet - https://lanswresourcehub.com/s/Discus-UPDATED-aarh.pdf

Discus technique - https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ee86c83ef0c6223c8f6e17f/t/61384dbbfc9a137000238033/1631079924812/Discuss+Throw.pdf

How to teach Discus video - https://youtu.be/5E9666D6B8c?list=PLtffpmvaZF4eba4J2Mu9wBTuC3zvf7Fjj

Hints and Tips for Age Managers and volunteers video -

Part 1 - https://youtu.be/HzPYuF5meac?list=PLtffpmvaZF4cOSmsNN0A4ZsjcPjCpEvi_

Part 2 - https://youtu.be/F9rvHd1jwTg?list=PLtffpmvaZF4cOSmsNN0A4ZsjcPjCpEvi_

Part 3 - https://youtu.be/iba3iO4dDjw?list=PLtffpmvaZF4cOSmsNN0A4ZsjcPjCpEvi_

I want to know more about High Jump (ages 9 and above)

Resources are available on the LANSW website

High Jump event fact sheet - https://lanswresourcehub.com/s/High-Jump-UPDATED.pdf