Background
The concept of Little Athletics was the brain child of Trevor Billingham and the first competition started in Victoria in the 1960s. The LAA N.S.W. commenced in 1970 and present day membership is over 40,000 athletes in 200 centres throughout the state. The Association is controlled by a Board of Management made up of voluntary workers who hold their positions for a maximum of 2 years before seeking re-election. The Association also has full time salaried staff. Manly Warringah is a Foundation Centre.
The Manly Warringah Athletics Centre (CENTRE) incorporating Manly Warringah Little Athletics today, draws its membership from five clubs; Cromer, Manly, Peninsula, Seaforth and Wakehurst. They combine to hold regular Saturday competition and to form the Manly Warringah Centre for Zone, Regional and State competitions.
The CENTRE is an incorporated body, governed by a board of directors and delegates from each of the clubs in the form of an Executive Committee. Meetings of the CENTRE Executive Committee are held once per month and parents of athletes are welcome to attend.
Family, Fun and Fitness are the three main objectives of the Little Athletics movement. Boys and Girls are offered a wide variety of athletic events in a happy environment with the emphasis on achieving personal bests, not necessarily to win. Children are graded by age and ability, so that they compete with children of similar ability. These gradings are continually revised during the season based upon results obtained at CENTRE competitions.
Time, Dates and Locations
Saturday morning competition commences at 7.30am and usually concludes around noon. In the early weeks of the new season meetings may not conclude until after noon while we all become acclimatised to a new season. However, later in the season meetings can often be completed by 10.30 to 11.00am. This season we will be holding twilight competition meetings in the New Year. Refer to the Season Calendar for times.
Wet Weather Routine
In order not to disappoint our athletes, Centre competitions are rarely cancelled. A special wet weather programme is instigated instead and we therefore encourage athletes to attend all scheduled Centre competitions.
Competition can only be cancelled by the Track and Field Officer of the day.
Safety
Parents or friends who are not officiating and non competing children are NOT permitted in the competition area bounded by the perimeter fence. They are not covered by insurance and as the safety of athletes and officials is of primary concern they will be asked to leave the competition area. The Centre will not be responsible in any way for athletes who have not been picked up at the completion of either competition or training.
Canteen and BBQ
The Centre operates a canteen and BBQ at competition meetings and provides a range of refreshments at reasonable prices. All profits from the sales at the Canteen and BBQ enable us to either purchase or upgrade existing facilities and equipment, or for the provision of awards and coaches. Your support is essential for the Centre to operate.
Insurance
Every registered athlete and official is covered by insurance through the NSW Little Athletics Association.
Everyone who assists with the running of the competition, or who assists at training are insured, provided they ‘SIGN ON’ on each occasion and that any injury is fully and immediately documented with the CENTRE Secretary. The SIGN ON applies to all duties including computer, canteen, data entry and BBQ. St Johns Ambulance Officers are in attendance on Saturday mornings.
PARENTS WHO ARE ASSISTING ON THE TRACK OR IN THE FIELD AND HAVE NOT SIGNED ON ARE NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE. NEITHER ARE NON REGISTERED ATHLETES.
Athletes who have not been picked up when the competition or training has been completed will not be covered by NSWLAA insurance.
Eligibility
Boys and girls compete separately and are divided into age groups. Age groups are based on the calendar year. The minimum age is 6. Check the Age Matrix for your child’s age group.
Please note that for all new registrations, proof of age is required at the time of enrolment.
Training Sessions
The CENTRE will conduct weekly training sessions on Monday nights from 6.00pm at the Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen. This is in addition to individual club training sessions. The sessions are open to all athletes and parents who wish to attend. However it is believed that under 7 and 8 athletes do not need this additional training night except in preparation for the Zone/Regional Championships. There will be no training after State Relays and Regional Carnivals. See the Training page for more information.
Centre Committee Meetings
Meetings are held every month and are open to all parents who wish to attend. The future of the Centre, as well as the day to day operations is discussed at these meetings. If you are interested in the running of the Centre, or wish to make any constructive and useful suggestions, your attendance will be most welcome. Please ask one of the Executive for the location of the meetings as it varies from time to time. Our Constitution and AGM forms are available here.
History
The Centre has a long history.
You can view our Life Members here, our MWLAC Award recipients here. The King and Queen of the track has been run for several years.
Get in Touch
Ready for Athletics!