Queensland Little Athletics Association (QLAA) conducts a limited number of Carnivals and Championships each year. Within the structure of these events, the Association tries to strike a balance between the competitive and fun aspects of Little Athletics.
At Regional and Association level competitions, athletes in the U16 and U17 age groups would compete as an U17 age group.
There are no qualifying pre-requisites for the 'Age Day Carnivals', 'Regional Competitions', QLAA Pentathlon and Winter Championships. Athletes qualify for participation at the State Relays by placing 1st, 2nd, 3rd at the Regional Relays and by placing 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th at the Regional Championships for the State Championships. All events are intended for all athletes of all abilities.
QLAA Carnival / Championship Dates
QLAA Calendar of Events
Junior Carnival (for U7-U10's)
The Junior Carnival is incorporated into the Calendar of Events to give all registered athletes in these age groups the opportunity to take part in a large scale competition, without any of the pressures associated with a Championship. Athletes may nominate in a maximum number of five events.
Winter U7 & U8 Carnival
As many Centres in the Winter season zones are 'remote' and certainly a great distance from the Brisbane metropolitan area, a special U7 & U8 Carnival is run in conjunction with the Winter Championships each year. All children registered with QLAA in these respective age groups are eligible to nominate, as there are no qualifying criteria. Athletes may nominate in a maximum number of five events.
Senior Carnival (for U11-U17's)
The Senior Carnival serves a variety of purposes. As with the Junior Carnival, it is an opportunity for all registered athletes of these age groups to compete in a large-scale competition without the pressure of championship conditions. Additionally it allows the athletes of the U13's age group to register performances to which the State Team Selectors may need to refer to later in the season when selecting the State Team. Similarly, any U15 Multi Event State Team aspirants can gain additional valuable competition. It should be noted however, that the main purpose of the day is for athletes of all abilities to have an enjoyable days competition and foster new friendships.
Pentathlon (for U9 - U17's)
This event is held in conjunction with the Age Day Carnivals, that is the U11 – U17's Pentathlon is contested on the same competition day and venue as the Junior (U7's - U10's) Carnival and the U9 – U10's Pentathlon is contested on the same competition day and venues at the Senior (U11's - U17's) Carnival. The pentathlon is oriented as a Championship Event to place a stronger emphasis on the participation of children in a wider range of events rather than the early specialisation in one or two specific events.
Entry is open to all QLAA registered athletes in the U9 - U17 age groups and is a day that promotes one of the main goals of Little Athletics, which is encouraging children to compete in a broad range of events.
Points are allocated according to the level of performance achieved in each of the five events. Currently the Association uses a points system generated from within the Track & Field recording programme of Meet Manager - Alberta Youth for the U9 - 14 & U17 age groups; the U15's points are calculated using the ALA pentathlon point system.
Applicable Events:
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U9 BOYS:
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60MH
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100M
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800M
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High Jump
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Discus
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U9 GIRLS:
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60MH
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100M
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800M
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Long Jump
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Shot Put
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U10 BOYS:
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60MH
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100M
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800M
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Long Jump
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Shot Put
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U10 GIRLS:
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60MH
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100M
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800M
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High Jump
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Discus
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U11 BOYS:
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60MH
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100M
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800M
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High Jump
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Discus
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U11 GIRLS:
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60MH
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100M
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800M
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Long Jump
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Shot Put
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U12 BOYS:
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60MH
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100M
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800M
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Long Jump
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Shot Put
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U12 GIRLS:
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60MH
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100M
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800M
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High Jump
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Discus
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U13 BOYS:
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80MH
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100M
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800M
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High Jump
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Discus
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U13 GIRLS:
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80MH
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100M
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800M
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Long Jump
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Shot Put
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U14 BOYS:
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90MH
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100M
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800M
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High Jump
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Shot Put
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U14 GIRLS:
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80MH
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100M
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800M
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High Jump
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Shot Put
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U15 BOYS:
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100MH
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100M
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800M
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Long Jump
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Discus
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U15 GIRLS:
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90MH
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100M
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800M
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Long Jump
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Discus
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| U17 BOYS: |
200MH |
100M |
800M |
TBC |
TBC |
| U17 GIRLS: |
200MH |
100M |
800M |
TBC |
TBC |
Winter Championships (for U9 - U17's)
As our official competition year starts in April, chronologically the Winter Championships is the first of event to be held each year. The State Championships are held in North Queensland every fourth year but for the balance of the time most Winter athletes who qualify for States are unable to attend because of cost or time constraints. Hence, the Winter Championships provides a means for giving these athletes (from the U9 - U15’s) a chance to gain some experience at this level of competition.
Entry is open to all registered athletes of Centres in the three Winter Season Regions. Athletes may nominate for a maximum of seven events.
The competition currently attracts close to 400 athletes. All competitors receive performance certificates and the first three placegetters in each event receive medals.
In 2004, relay events were successfully introduced into the program.
The Relays
All Relay competitions are organised on behalf of, or by the Association. Generally, the Summer Centre Regions conduct their competitions in early - mid November, while the State Relays are conducted early December.
The Regional Relays for U7 - U17’s
The Regional Relays are open to all registered Little Athletes from the U7 - U17's and are the same as all other Association Regional Days in that primarily they provide friendly Regional competition for all athletes in these age groups and in addition are the means for qualifying for the State Relay Championships. Regional track and field relays are provided for, with the track teams comprising of 4 athletes and Centre field teams comprising of nominating athletes.
The U7 & U8's who participate in the Regional Relays do not progress past Regional level, however they do receive a participation medallion. For the U9's - U17's all track teams that place 1st, 2nd and 3rd progress to the State Relay Championships. Combining best performances, athletes from the same Centre form teams of two, the top four teams (1st, 2nd and 3rd) combined distance will also progress as field teams to the State Relay Championships.
There are no finals at either the Regional or State Relays, placing’s are decided on the times and/or total distances recorded in the 'heats'. Each athlete may nominate to participate in a maximum number of 5 events at the Regions.
Centres compete for the Sponsor's Shield, which is awarded to the Centre for the highest participation relative to their registrations. Because the award is relative to each Centre's registrations, it is possible for any Centre to win this Shield regardless of their size providing they have a large percentage of their registered athletes take part in the competition.
State Relays (for U9 - U17’s)
This day is by far the most colourful and spectacular of our Association Days both from a competition and spectator basis. All competitors receive recognition for participation. Medals are awarded to all members of teams placing first, second and third. Athletes compete for participation points for their respective Centres in an attempt to earn the State Relay awards.
Regional Championships (for U7 - U17’s)
This event is open to all registered QLAA athletes from U7 to U15's, each of whom may compete in up to five events of their choice. Events offered to the URI & U17 age groups include a pentathlon which comprises 100m, 800m, 100m hurdles/ 90m hurdles (boys/girls), Long Jump and Discus. Athletes nominating for the pentathlon may also compete in any two individual events.
All competitors receive performance certificates detailing all events they contest. Athletes in the U9 – U17’s that place 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the finals receive medals. Athletes in the U7 – U8’s receive participation medals only.
Queensland is divided into ten Little Athletics Regions, and each of these hosts a Regional Championships. There are two Regions in the North of the State and one in the west, which conduct their Championships around the beginning of September. The remaining seven Summer Centres Regions conduct their Regional Championships in February. (Please refer to the notes on U16 & U17's participation).
State Championships (for U9 - U17’s)
The State Championships is the major competition in our Queensland calendar year. Athletes in the U9 - U17’s age groups who place in the first four at their Regional Championships are eligible to compete. Typically, some 2000 athletes from all corners of the State take part in this annual event.
Competitors will receive performance certificates detailing their event/s and performances. The first three placegetters from the finals receive medals.
A State Team of 26 children is selected at these Championships. The team is normally comprised of twenty-two U13 Boys and Girls, and four U15 Pentathletes (two boys and two girls). The performance of the U13's at this event plays a significant part in their selection. (Please refer to the notes on U18 participation).
Additional Entry to State Championships
Qualifying Levels
Athletes who compete in a final at the Regional Championships and who achieve the “Qualifying Performance Level” for that event, shall also qualify for the State Championships, in addition to athletes placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th in that event.
The Competition Committee will review the qualifying standards each year.