The McDonald's Development Squad is a development program for a selection of athletes in the U11 and U12 age groups.
McDonald’s is proudly sponsoring the program which aims to provide a development pathway for promising athletes to allow them to develop a broad base of skills at a higher level. The development squad also aims to provide specific coaching opportunities and entice the U11 and U12 age groups to stay within the sport of Little Athletics through their teen years.
Eligibility for the Squad
Eligibility for selection in the McDonald's Development Squad is limited to those children in the U11 and U12 age groups.
Selection Procedure
The athletes will be selected from the Top 4 finalists at the Regional Championships who also meet a performance criteria:
- The Criteria for Winter Season Centres is equal to the Blue Levels in the McDonald's award criteria.
- The Criteria for the Summer Season Centres is equal to the Blue Levels in the McDonald's award criteria plus 10%.
- These standards are also well under the the State Best Performances for any given event.
The Association will review this percentage annually to make any adjustments that are required.
We will send an individual invitation to U11 and U 12 athletes to become part of the Development Squad upon achievement of the selection criteria at the Regional Championships.
The Program
Once accepting the offer of being part of the McDonald’s Development Squad the athletes will receive a Development Squad Polo Shirt.
Furthermore, a the selected athletes will be offered two McDonald's Development Squad Training Days that will be conducted in the Regions. The first Training Day that will take place after getting selected at Regional Championships and the second Training Day will be offered during the start of the next season as part of the Centre Visit program when the Development Officers visit the various Centres.
These Training Days will provide more specialized coaching opportunities and will cover several event groups. This allows the athlete to develop a broad base of skills allowing for multi lateral development rather than specialization. Please note not all events will be offered at these clinics.
Please note once once selected in the squad your selection will only be valid until the following Regional Championships.
The Training Days are a great success and enjoyed by all involved. The next series of Training Days for Winter Regions and Summer Regions will be offered at the beginning of 2010, to offer an extra opportunity to get specialist coaching before the IGA State Championships. All selected athletes will receive further information closer to the date.
QLA Development Staff will review the McDonald's Development Squad program annually based on feedback from the involved coaches, selected athletes, their parents and the Centres and make adjustments that are required. Stay tuned for further details about follow up Training Days.
Costs
The McDonald's Development Squad program and polo shirt are offered for free to the selected U11 and U12 athletes.
Development Squad 2009 - 2010
Congratulations to the following U11 and U12 athletes who are selected for the McDonald's Development Squad for the Winter & Summer Regions in the 2009/ 2010 Season.
More detailed information
If you would like more detailed information about the McDonald's Development Squad, please contact Karin Van Vliet at the Association Office on (07) 3255 9436 or 1300 559 436 or alternatively email
k.vanvliet@qlaa.asn.au