Pakenham Little Athletics Centre

Age groups are determined by the year and month of birth. Please use the Ready Rekoner below to work out the appropriate age group for the 2008/2009 season.

Please note, proof of age will be required on all new registration.

Children are likely to participate in a selection of different events from the list below that rotate on a 3 week cycle

• Sprints (50m, 70m, 100m, 200m, 400m),
  Middle distance depending on age group (800m,1100m, 1500m)
  Cross Country is not part of the Track & Field program. Please refer to the Cross Country page.
• Hurdles depending on age (60m, 80m 300m)
• Long Jump/Triple Jump/High Jump
• Shot Put/Discus
• Relays
• Cross Country
• Javelin for (Under 12 - Under 16 only)
• On Track - program held for U6 - U8.

Generally, all Track & Field events are held at the
Toomuc Recreation Reserve, Princes Hwy, Pakenham.
(Rear of Cardinia Life, enter off Andrew Norton Way) Melways ref: 215 J5

We also attend other Centres for Open Days and Invitation Day. Regional & State Championships are held in various places across Victoria.

Cross Country is held at
Lilypond House, Duncan Drive Pakenham
Melways ref: 317 A7

All children's performances in each event each week are recorded. Children are awarded a "STAR" for a personal best (PB) performance - where their performance is better than they have previously been able to achieve in competition at the Pakenham Centre in the current season.

On obtaining 10 stars, the child will receive a white ribbon in recognition. Further ribbons are awarded for subsequent accumulations of 10 stars. It is important to note that the children who receive the most stars (and therefore the most ribbons) are frequently the ones who work hard each week to improve, not just the best performers.

During the season, there are:

• Open Days - Competition at other Centres and a chance to win trophies against other little athletes in Victoria
• Regional Championships and Regional Relay Championships (for U9 to U15) - Competition with other Centres within a defined Region. We are in Southern Metropolitan
• State Multi Championships -
  All athletes compete in five athletic disciplines: 100m, Hurdles, 800m, Long Jump and Discus.
  Points are allocated according to the level of performance achieved in each of the five events.
• State Championships and State Relay Championships - Children are progressed from Region to State Competition to compete against all regions in Victoria

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Children qualify and are progressed from Region to State in Relays and Track & Field Championships. This allows them to compete against other athletes from the other Regions in Victoria.

Children wishing to attend the State Multi Championships can enter without qualifying at the Region level.

Athletes wishing to compete at the State Cross Country Championship must participate and complete the Region competition but do not need to achieve a qualifying time.

Ribbons are awarded for levels of achievement attained by individual athletes. This encourages children to take part in all events and serves to spread recognition for achievement over the majority of children competing. Ribbons are awarded at three levels:

As children reach each level, they are encouraged to strive for the next. Levels are reviewed each season to ensure they reflect achievable targets.

At the lowest level, standards may not appear very high, particularly for younger age groups, but it is important to remember this level must be achieved in five different events.

This way, children have an incentive in a range of events and do not simply trade on their natural ability in one or two.

End of Season Awards.

These include

Colin Burnett Encouragement Awards

One boy and one girl will be chosen to receive these awards. Selection criteria will be determined by the Centre Committee and include enthusiasm, attitude, attendance and behaviour.

Presidents Award

A perpetual shield and an individual trophy will be awarded to one athlete, chosen by the President. The following points may be taken into consideration in selecting the recipient: behaviour, enthusiasm, leadership, attitude and attendance.

Kimberley White Award

This award is presented to the athlete who made the most of their year by achieving the highest number of personal bests (stars) in the season. Kimberley worked very hard to achieve her personal best before she passed away in 1999.

On Tracker Achievements

Along with On Track’s built in recognition and reward process, each child will receive a medal depending on age group level.
This enables children to gain an entire set of medals on completion of the On Track years.
One boy and one girl will be chosen to receive the Junior Encouragement Award at the end of season. Selection will be based on attitude, helpfulness, behaviour, attendance, sportsmanship and enthusiasm.
The On Track Co-ordinator will be asked to nominate names and a final decision will be made in conjunction with the Committee at a Committee Meeting.