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Frequently Asked Questions

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FAQ’s

When does the season start and end?

 Summer Season (Track & Field – Harris Park)

  • Term 4 (October) through to Term 1 (March)
  • Break for Christmas but continue through most of January school holidays

 Winter Season (Cross Country – SportUNE)

  • Term 2 (April) through to Term 3 (September)
  • With a mid-season break for June-July school holidays

What day/time is athletics on?

  • 4:15pm for a 4:30pm start, Wednesday and goes until all events for each age group are complete.

How will parents be notified if athletics is cancelled any week?

  • Facebook post with as much notice as possible
  • Sometimes an incoming storm may mean we have to cancel at late notice or partway through competition

What events will be offered each week?

 Summer Season (Track & Field – Harris Park)

  • We will hold 3 weekly competition meets followed by a skills/development week, where the athletes will participate in up to 4 events and can have their results recorded.
  • Events are on a 4 week rotation.
  • Check the calendar which shows the events each age group will be doing each week.
  • Sometimes we need to change events around, for example if the ground is wet and high jump or hurdles would be unsafe. We will offer other events instead.
  • Older Athletes also train on additional days throughout the week.

Winter Season (Cross Country – SportUNE)

  • We will hold 1 weekly cross country meet every week.
  • Event distances are 1km, 2km, 3km and 5km.

What level of ability do children have to be to join?

  • Our emphasis is on Family/Friends, Fun & Fitness.
  • Children can join with any level of skill or fitness.
  • Children are given plenty of encouragement to achieve personal bests (PB’s).
  • We recognise that children vary widely in shape, size and athletic ability, and thus athletics is one of few sports that successfully caters for all.

What opportunities are there for competitions against athletes from other clubs?

Depending on the level of Membership (see below) there are the following opportunities:

  • Zone
  • Regionals
  • State
  • Nationals
  • Country Champs
  • Gala Days

See the LANSW website and the ANSW website for full details and dates.

Will my child be taught the correct technique or have access to coaching?

  • We have access to qualified coaches and parents who offer training tips/coaching at weekly meets, with the skills/development week focusing on skills and correct technique. Additionally, Little Athletics NSW frequently hold coaching clinics for athletes.
  • We may put on a training day with a coach during the season, perhaps on a Sunday.

How involved do parents need to be?

  • Because athletics is a totally voluntary sport, we cannot operate without the assistance of parents and other adult volunteers each week in fulfilling the many and varied duties required.
  • These include officiating at an event; managing an age group; recording results; raking the long jump pit, returning the shot put/discus after a throw, working in the canteen; just to name a few.
  • All parents are encouraged to become involved. Athletics is one of the few sports where parents can become fully involved in their child’s sporting interests. Parents can become Social/Community Members so they can actively participate with their child/children.
  • Please don’t leave the field. You are still responsible for supervising your children.

What happens at the end of the season?

  • Presentation day with awards based on the seasons points system (Summer Season).

What should kids wear?

  • Footwear must be worn in all events, by all competing members.
  • All registered athletes must wear an approved Centre uniform when competing in competitions against other Centres.
  • For weekly meets we also encourage the wearing of the club uniform.
  • Parents assisting should also wear enclosed shoes.

What Membership Types are available and how much does it cost?

  • Armidale Athletics Club is a One Athletics Club, meaning we are affiliated with both LANSW and ANSW, so members can compete in both LANSW and ANSW competitions, (Some age restrictions may apply).
    • Note: Armidale Athletics Club fee is $40 for ALL membership types.
      • This is additional to ANSW membership fee.
  • ANSW Kids (3-7 years), ANSW Youth (8-12 years), ANSW Juniors (13-U17 years).
  • ANSW Juniors (U18-U20).
  • Concession Membership (ANSW-concession card holders).
  • ANSW Opens (20+ years).
  • Community Membership (ANSW) – (Access to weekly local events).
    • Community Membership enables members to attend the Clubs local Wednesday activities and is available for ages 3+.
  • Talk to an Armidale Athletics Club delegate about Family discounts.
  • Additional cost for uniform.
  • Active Kids vouchers can also be used towards membership costs.

How long does Membership last?

  • Membership lasts for a 12-month period:
    • Under the ANSW and LANSW Partnership the membership period is:
      • 1st September to 31st August.

How do I register my child?

  • Under the ANSW and LANSW Partnership ALL membership registrations are done through RevolutionSport (RevSport).
    • Athletics NSW (ANSW) website for All aged athletes (3+).
    • Or see links on the Armidale Athletics Club website or our Facebook page.

What age group will my child be in?

  • Age groups are determined by the year and month of birth.
  • Please refer to the Age Group Calculator on the NSW Little Athletics website for details.
  • Registration-Age-Grid-2023-2024.pdf (lansw.com.au)
  • For ANSW Membership it is the age of the athlete on the 31st of December of the current year.

Who should I speak to if I have any questions?

  • Any committee member. Identifiable at field wearing a red vest.
  • Send us a Facebook message.
  • Checkout the contacts page on the Armidale Athletics Club website.