Queanbeyan Little Athletics Centre (QLAC), also known as Queanbeyan Lightning, is a sports club located in Queanbeyan, Australia. The club is dedicated to providing a fun-filled and family-friendly environment for children and their parents to participate in athletics and promote fitness.
The club meets on Saturday mornings during the Little Athletics season. The season for the year 2023/2024 runs from October 14, 2023, to March 23, 2024, for children aged u6-u17 (born between 2007-2018). Tiny Tots, a programme designed for children born in 2019 and 2020, is also offered during this season, running from October 28 to December 2, with activities starting at 9:30 am.
The club meets at Wright Park, located on Old Sydney Road in Queanbeyan. Athletes in the U6 to U17 age groups are required to arrive at 8:00 am for set up, with events starting as soon as set up is complete. Registration packs can be collected on specific dates and times, including Thursday, October 12, from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Saturday, October 14 and 21, from 11:00 am (or as soon as the equipment is packed away).
QLAC offers a six-week Tiny Tots programme, which allows children born in 2019 and 2020 to participate in age-appropriate activities. For senior athletes who wish to continue with athletics beyond the U17 age group, they can register with Queanbeyan Athletics and compete at regular Athletics ACT meets.
The club is an approved provider for the NSW Government Active Kids Voucher, allowing parents to use the voucher during the registration process to receive a discount.
QLAC is run entirely by volunteers and relies on parents' assistance each week to fulfil various duties such as setting up the meet, managing age groups, recording results, and working in the canteen. The club encourages parents to volunteer and offers information on different roles and how to get involved.
QLAC emphasises family, fun, and fitness. Parents are encouraged to get involved in activities, and the focus is on individual improvement rather than winning. Athletes participate in a variety of activities aimed at improving their fitness levels.
QLAC is affiliated with Little Athletics ACT (LAACT), allowing QLAC athletes to compete against athletes from other clubs in the ACT region during major events. This affiliation provides opportunities for athletes to gain more experience and meet fellow athletes.
Overall, Queanbeyan Little Athletics Centre (QLAC) offers a welcoming and inclusive environment for children and parents to engage in athletics, promote fitness, and enjoy the camaraderie of being part of a sports club.