Queenborough Little Athletics Centre is a friendly and inclusive sports club located in Hobart, Australia. It offers a safe environment for children aged between 5 and 15 to participate in Little Athletics, a modified form of athletics that focuses on running, jumping, and throwing activities.
At Queenborough Little Athletics Centre, children have the opportunity to have fun, improve their fitness, and develop crucial coordination skills through various events such as sprints, middle distance running, hurdles, jumps (long jump, high jump, triple jump), and throws (shot put, discus, javelin). Parents, grandparents, and friends are also encouraged to get involved by helping with different events.
Even if a child is not particularly skilled or fit, they are still welcome to join Queenborough Little Athletics Centre. The club's motto is “family, fun, and fitness,” with an emphasis on doing one's best. With a wide range of events available, most children are able to find something they are good at and enjoy. Additionally, participating in Little Athletics often leads to making new friends and increased confidence.
For children who are interested, there are opportunities to compete in regional, state, and national competitions.
The Little Athletics season at Queenborough runs from early October to March, with the first day of competition for the 2023-24 season taking place at the Domain on Sunday, October 15th, 2023, at 3pm. Most meetings are on Saturday mornings from 8:45am to 11:30am, with occasional midweek twilight meetings starting at 5:00pm. Younger athletes finish earlier. Due to council works at Sandown Park, the meets will be held at the Domain Athletics Centre at the beginning of the season.
On the first day of participation, children can wear regular sports clothes and sports shoes. However, if they decide to register, the Centre's uniform consists of navy shorts and a plain white polo top. Children are also required to bring a hat and a drink bottle. Parents must attend with their children.
Registration does not have to be done on the first day. New participants are welcome to try out the events for two weeks before needing to register on the third meeting. The registration fee for the 2023-24 season is $150 per child, with a reduced fee of $50 for Tiny Tots. Family discounts are no longer offered.
As Little Athletics is a voluntary organisation, parental assistance is essential for the club's operations. Parents are expected to fulfil various duties each week, which may include tasks such as raking a sandpit, measuring throws, or recording results. Prior experience is not required, and parental participation is crucial. Additionally, children must be accompanied by a parent each week, and dropping off and picking up at the end is not allowed.
Queenborough Little Athletics Centre is committed to inclusivity and welcomes all children to participate, regardless of their skill level or background. The club strives to provide a nurturing and supportive environment where all little athletes can thrive and enjoy their athletic journey.