Family, Fun and Fitness, Little Athletics Club based In Oakleigh South for ages 5 to 17

Families can register for winter cross country season.

Cross Country is held from April through to August on Saturday mornings from 8.30am. It is open to all LAVic athletes from U6 to U17.

Bayside XC runs cross county competition with some centres from SMR region, including Oakleigh LAC.

Joining Little Athletics for the first time? Join as LAVIC member first (cost is LAVIC membership $55 + Bayside XC fee $40).

Join the Bayside XC Team App, download Stack Team App and search Bayside XC.

Remember your registration patch and Oakleigh uniform top. New members please email oakleigh@lavic.com.au for uniform tops.

Training

Wednesdays at 5pm with Panny (near the shed)

WINTER CROSS COUNTRY REGISTRATION

Oakleigh Little Athletics Centre

The Oakleigh Little Athletics Centre has a rich history and can boast some international success too. Since its inception in the late 1970’s, the club has produced some real stars including Margaret Satupai. In the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons, Margaret set the Oakleigh club records in the U14 and U15 girls’ category in both shot put and discus. She went on to represent Oakleigh and Victoria at state and national levels; she has set Australian records and competed in the World Youth Games and Commonwealth Games, representing her native Samoa. We can even also lay claim to famous race walker Simon Baker, an Olympian and Commonwealth Games gold medalist (Edinburgh 1986). Simon was running around the Oakleigh track when “it was just a dustbowl.” Simon still lives in the area and sometimes pops in.

Currently the centre operates with about 130 athletes each season, so we are not a big club by any stretch of the imagination. But, we have been smaller and we nearly disappeared altogether in the not so distant past. Happily, these days we are stable and growing once more although we pride ourselves on the community, family atmosphere that is rather unique to our small club.

We are a centre whose values are those promoted by the Little Athletics organisation - family fun and fitness. Most of our athletes go to the same local schools, kinder, Aus Kick centres, daycare centres, dance schools, swim schools etc. As a result, a lot of our families know each other from these other places because we are part of the local community. We have many really talented kids in our midst that are here to enjoy the events and do their best. It’s wonderful to see them all develop and grow over the years.

Our centre is very much focused on participation and this extends to the parents too. As a purely volunteer organisation, it’s all hands on deck every week to muck and do your bit because without the adults to guide the children around and to man the events, we just can’t run!

What is Little Athletics?

Little Athletics is a nationwide organisation geared to making athletic activity available to children from the ages of five to seventeen. From an early age, children are encouraged to participate in a number of track and field events with a focus not on winning but on achieving their own personal best results. With a season that runs from September through to March, Little Athletics provides children with a weekly opportunity to make friends and have fun whilst remaining active and healthy. For the older children, it’s an opportunity to discover their personal preferences and strengths and maybe go on to greater things. As such, it’s incredible value for money.

Little Athletics Australia (LAA) is the governing body for the individual state organisations. Oakleigh is part of Little Athletics Victoria (LAVic) whose domain is segmented into seven regions. Here at Oakleigh we join with 15 other centres to form the Southern Metro Region (SMR). So when you hear talk of national, state or regional events, that’s how it’s broken down.

Little Athletics is grateful for the support shown by its Partners and equipment supplies - details of which can be found here.

WHAT'S ON

OLAC Calendar

Sat 31st May - State Cross-Country Relay Championships, Cruden Farm

Sat 14th June - State Race Walk Road Championships, Middle Park Bowling Club

Sat 28th June - Region Cross-Country Carnivals, Carrum Downs SC

Annual Events

A number of special events are held throughout the season. These may be hosted by Oakleigh or other centres and include:

Throughout the season: carnivals/open days are fun days usually open to a region and all age groups, U6-U17 at various venues
Invitational – a meeting that brings two or three clubs together for the day. As a club, we usually go to Caulfield LAC invitational or Waverley LAC for their Waverley/Oakleigh/Springvale invitational around late October / early November.
November - this is relay season:
- Kicks off at Mentone LAC with a relay competition
- Southern Metro Region (SMR) relays carnival
December
- State Relay finals (from regional qualifiers) are usually held at Lakeside Stadium
- Christmas party for our athletes and families before Christmas/Summer break
January - State Multi-event (paid entry) will be on weekend held at Lakeside Stadium, the home of Little Athletics Victoria
February - Region Track & Field competitions (paid entry) held at various locations
March
- State Track & Field finals for regional qualifiers - venue TBC
- Oakleigh Little Athletics multi-event competition held for our own athletes only as a season wrap-up
April
- Oakleigh LAC Presentation day
- Cross country season kicks off for the winter period
May/June - Oakleigh AGM

Some of these events may incur an extra, nominal fee at registration although invitationals are usually free of charge.

We also run the following "compulsory" themed rounds throughout the season, as prescribed by LAVic:

Relaython
Coles Community Round - to celebrate LAVic's major Sponsor, Coles

Oakleigh Committee

The centre’s constitution specifies that we have the committee positions as shown below. Some committee members cover several roles but we are always happy to share the load and welcome new helpers. Note that everyone on the committee is required to hold a Working With Children Check (WWCC), and this can be applied for at any time and there is no cost.

Executive Committee

The executive committee carries the main responsibility for running the club. As the individuals with financial accountability, executive members are required to undergo a police check. In order to maintain continuity, executive positions are held for two years with the President and Registrar elected in years that alternate with the election of the Treasurer and Secretary.

PRESIDENT - Panny Ng
SECRETARY - Santhini Barratt
TREASURER - Simone Lichtenstein
CENTRE REGISTRAR - Anne Sturrock

General Committee

TEAM MANAGER / HEAD COACH - Lexie Seward
ARENA ANNOUNCER - Noel Seward
EQUIPMENT MANAGER - Andrew Allan
PROGRAM & COMPETITION MANAGER - Nick Kostic
CROSS COUNTRY COORDINATOR - Brenton McRae
UNIFORM COORDINATOR - Joanne O'Donnell
RELAY COORDINATOR - Karen DeCouto
FIRST AID OFFICER - Anne Sturrock
MEDIA (SOCIAL) / COMMUNICATIONS - Santhini Barratt
GENERAL COMMITTEE MEMBER - Simon Lucas
GENERAL COMMITTEE MEMBER - Peter Holden
GENERAL COMMITTEE MEMBER - Matt Wagner

Meetings are held at Davies Reserve Pavilion generally on third Monday of every month from 7.30pm during the season (September-March). Teams online link to attend meeting is available upon request. All members are welcome to attend. Items for agenda can be emailed to Secretary at oakleigh@lavic.com.au

If you are wanting to get involved with our Centre at a committee level, please reach out to our Secretary or President. We welcome new committee members at any time.

OLAC AGM 2025 Notice

The 2025 OLAC AGM will be held on Monday 16th June 2025 from 7.30pm at Davies Reserve with online option available (link will be emailed separately)

The AGM is an opportunity to receive reports from the previous season, ask questions and elect a committee for the coming year. The financial reports are reviewed independent of the committee. Reports will be uploaded shortly.

Each year we roll over two of the four executive committee roles (as they are two year terms), and this year the Secretary and Treasurer roles are open to receive nominations. General Committee are elected for 1 year term.

Nominations for these roles can be made using the form available here. If you are thinking of contributing and helping, but have questions please send us an email.

We have received nominations from Santhini (Secretary) and Simone (Treasurer) retaining their roles. If no other nominations received for the position they can be automatically accepted.

MEMBERSHIP

REGISTRATION DETAILS

If you’re thinking about Little Athletics for your child, come down and give athletics a go. Our Come and Try Day and/or Registration day is usually held in late September and they are a good opportunity to have a look around, ask questions and meet some of the committee although you can join us at any time during the season. As new children find their feet, parents learn the ropes too. Remember, we’re in it together. Competition usually starts around the beginning of October (last Saturday of school holidays).

Once you've signed up and paid, the club will also give you registration pack full of information and goodies, competition chest plate and registration barcode. We attend external competitions and invitationals, hold a Christmas party in mid-December and a club multi-event competition end of March. The season closes with our family-oriented trophy presentation day and AGM in end of March. There’s a lot to pack in!

Registration and payment is only available online via the LAVic portal. Please note that there is a small administrative charge for all online registrations. Part of the fees go to LAVic for insurance and administration etc. and the rest are retained by the club.

Your full registration fees will include five months (approximately 20 weeks) worth of competition, access to State and Regional events and competitions, eligibility for winter cross country (Bayside XC) as well as the right to participate at any Little Athletics centre anywhere in Australia.

CONTACT US

Membership Fees & Uniforms

SCHEDULE OF FEES FOR 2024-25 SEASON

Our registration fees include components for Little Athletics Victoria and the Centre fees:

1 Athlete $190
2 Athletes (family) $365
3 Athletes (family) $540
4 Athletes (family) $715
5 Athletes (family) $890

If you are having difficulty making the payment in full, please get in touch with our Treasurer. We believe that children should not 'miss out' and we can consider ways to reduce the burden.

Athletes are also required to wear centre uniform which is not included in the registration fee.

Winter Cross Country Membership in also not included in the registration fee. Cross Country normally costs $40, registration through Bayside XC.

REFUNDS

The LAVic fees component of $89.00 (plus processing charge) are non-refundable. The OLAC fee component may only be refunded under extraordinary circumstances and sent to us in writing, approved by the committee.

Register for the Two Week trial offer if you are new to Little Athletics.

We encourage parents who are unsure if athletics is right for their child to register for a FREE trial (note 2 weeks only). Register here and select Oakleigh as your Centre.

What does our fees include?

Registration fee collected by the Centre are used to cover our expenses such as :

Weekly running costs
Entry costs for athletes representing the centre in Relays at regional and state events
Eligibility to participate in Regional Track & Field competition
Council and Utility fees
Trophies and presentation day
Committee and parent skills development
Equipment costs (maintenance and purchases)
Eligibility to participate in Cross Country season (Cross Country fees direct with Bayside XC)

OLAC Uniforms

Oakleigh athletes are required to compete in Oakleigh Uniform Singlet Top or Crop Top on competition days. The new singlet costs $35 and crop top costs $40.

Athletes are required to wear them at all meets and competitions. Uniforms can be paid by cash or EFTPOS at the canteen, or via PayPal. Please note, crop tops are available upon order only.

When competing at Region and State, athletes are required to wear black shorts with no visible logos or open pockets. Please note that these rules are strictly enforced at Regional and State events. At our weekly meets, we have no 'official' requirement for shorts so any black shorts are acceptable. A cheap pair from Kmart or Target is likely to be a cost effective option.

We have a limited supply of second hand uniforms for $10, please feel free to ask.

Please consider donating your outgrown uniforms to our second hand uniform shop

Numbers

FAQs

Children between the ages of five (5) and seventeen (17) years can register. Parents, grandparents and friends can also be involved by helping with the various events

The Track & Field season generally runs from October through to mid/late March. Cross Country season is conducted during winter months between April to mid August.

Centre meets are held on Saturday morning at Davies Reserve, Oakleigh South commencing at 8.45am and concluding at approximately 11.30am. Some twilight meets are held on Friday nights when there is a long weekend, commencing at 5.15pm.

Cross Country is held on Saturday mornings throughout Bayside area including Bald Hill Park, Braeside Park, Hampton Foreshore and Westgate Park.

Athletes will also have the opportunity of representing their Centre at Open Days, Region Competition and State Championships held in various venues in Victoria.

Events offered at OLAC are dependent on the athlete's age and the Centre Program for that week.

Sprints - 70m, 100m, 200m, 400m
Distance Running - 800m, 1500m
Hurdles - 60m, 80m, 90m, 100m, 110m, 200m, 300m
Jumps - Long Jump, Triple Jump (U11+), High Jump
Throws - Shot Put, Discus, Turbo Javelin (U6-U10), Javelin (U11+)

Our emphasis is on Family, Fun & Fitness. Children can join with any level of skill or fitness. Children are given plenty of encouragement to achieve Personal Bests (PBs).

Training is free for all registered athletes. Trial athletes are welcome to join 1 training session during their 2 week trial period.

Centre training are on Tuesdays from 5pm to 6pm during the season at Davies Reserve. Wednesdays are focused on specific events, run by our Junior Coaches. Thursdays are Relay training and special training before Region and State events. More details here.

Cross Country training is currently offered on Wednesdays from 5pm at Davies Reserve.

If your child would like to take part in Little Athletics, you need to register them via the online portal on the LAVic website. Athletes will be required to provide proof of age - birth certificate or passport etc. to the Centre Registrar to finalise registration. To register online, access the portal HERE.

Registration fees for 2024-25 is:

1 athlete $190
2 athletes (family) $350
3 athletes (family) $525
4 athletes (family) $700
5 athletes (family) $875

Yes, OLAC allows new athletes up to two (2) weeks free trial period before having to commit to registering for the season.

You will need to register them via the membership portal here, selecting join new member, then select trial athlete. You will receive an email with trial name patch which you need to bring with you for your child to wear when competing.

Footwear must be worn in all events including training, by all athletes. Only athletes in Under 11 to Under 17 are permitted ot wear spikes.

Yes, all registered athletes must wear the Centre uniform singlet top and plain black shorts (preferable) when competing in Little Athletics competition. Uniforms may be purchased from the canteen on registration day or at any centre meet.

Little Athletics is a voluntary organisation, run by all volunteers. We cannot operate without the assistance of parents/guardians each week in fulfilling the many and varied duties required. These include officiating at an event, managing an age group, measuring at jumps and throw events, helping in the canteen, just to name a few. Additional assistance is always required on the Centre committees and all parents are encouraged to become involved. Little Athletics is one of the few sports where parents can become fully involved in their child's sporting interests.

OLAC always encourages athletes to "STRIVE TO BE THEIR BEST". We show importance in PBs and improving their skills and technique.

All athlete's performances are recorded in each event, every week. Results are available via Results HQ online portal here.

Trophies, medals and certificates are awarded at the end of the season at our Presentation Day.

OLAC President, Panny 0411 687 392 or email oakleigh@lavic.com.au