2023 Coles Australian Little Athletics Championships
Melbourne
Lakeside Stadium
Albert Park Melbourne
Friday 21 April – Sunday 23 April 2023
Friday 21st April – Track Familiarisation / Warm Up & Opening Ceremony
Saturday 22nd April – Competition
Sunday 23rd April – Competition & Closing Ceremony.
AJAC – Australian Junior Athletics Championships: U14 & U15-U16 Multi-Class athletes.
AJAC – Australian Junior Athletics Championships
- New for 2023, an Individual Championships, where the U14 athletes and U15-U16 Multi-Class athletes are representing their Member Association.
- Athletes are selected based on criteria determined by Coles Little Athletics Australia – LAA.
- Athletes will have access to a Teams experience, although this is an Individual Championships.
- Last season’s U13 athletes that finished 1st, 2nd, & 3rd – Top 3 in all events, from the 2022 State Track & Field Championships, qualify for selection in the U14 AJAC.
- Last season’s U14-U15 Multi-Class athletes that finished 1st or 2nd in all events, from the 2022 State Track & Field Championships, qualify for selection in the U15-U16 Multi-Class AJAC.
- After initial offers have closed and if spaces are still available, offers can then be made to additional athletes who compete in the Region Track and Field Carnivals 2023 or State Track and Field Championships in 2023, in either the U14 age group, or the U15-U16 Multi-Class age group.
- In this first year and trial of AJAC, the selection criteria has been set to assist athletes to qualify and register early, which will allow athletes and their families to prepare and plan for the busy competition schedule in March and April. This structure will be updated for future years as the athletes and the Little Athletics community becomes more aware of the new pathway opportunities for our athletes.
- Athletes will be invited to register for AJAC, between late December and early January via a National Registration Portal. The registration portal will close Monday 30th January 2023.
- Athletes can select any or all events, that they have qualified in.
Trophies / Shield
- Trophies are not presented, as athletes are not competing for Team points.
- A Winners Shield to recognise the State / Territory as the overall Champion, based on medals won, will be created.
Team Size
- Unlimited number of athletes for both U14 and U15-U16 Multi-Class athletes, as AJAC is an Individual Championships, not a Team Championships.
- Maximum of 3 athletes per event, per Member Association for the U14 athletes.
- Maximum of 2 athletes per event, per Member Association for the U15-U16 Multi-Class athletes.
- Athletes can compete in all events that they have qualified and registered for.
Events
U14 athletes – 14 events:
- 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 1500m Walk, 80m/90m Hurdles, 200m Hurdles, High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Shot Put, Discus, Javelin,
U15-U16 Multi-Class athletes – 8 events:
- 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, Long Jump, Shot Put, Discus, Javelin.
Format
U14 athletes:
- Track - up to 200m Hurdles – 3 Heats and 1 Final, 400m & 800mts – 2 Timed Finals, 1500mts &1500mts Walk – 1 Final.
- Field – all except High Jump, 3 trials, Top 8 – 1 additional trial, reverse order.
U15-U16 Multi-Class athletes:
- Track – all events – Timed Finals or Final.
- Field – all events, all athletes 4 trials, no reverse on last trial.
- Multi-Class athletes must have a Provisional or Full Classification.
- Results will be converted using the Baseline Tables.
Medals
- U14 and U15-U16 Multi-Class athletes will receive individual medals per event.
Uniform
- Certain Competition and Casual items supplied; Optional & additional items can be purchased as part of the final Team selection and acceptance.
- New design of the Competition singlet for AJAC.
Coaching
- Athletes will be permitted to receive coaching advice from either the Team Management or Private coaches. Coaching areas will be inside the field of play, close to the event for Team Management, or at dedicated coaching areas on the fence line for private coaching.
Eligibility
- Athletes must be a registered financial competitive member in the correct age group prior to registration via the portal.
- Athletes must compete in the 2023 Region Carnival or State Track & Field Championships, in each event they have selected to compete in at AJAC.
- Seeding will be based on performances achieved in the 2023 events.
Team Experience
- Prior to event, the Team Experience is determined by the Member Association, including the travel and accommodation requirements.
- At the event, the Full Team Experience is provided to all athletes.
Athlete Commitments
- Depending on the structure and commitments required by the Member Association regarding travel and accommodation, Championships dates are:
- Friday 21st April – Track Familiarisation / Warm Up & Opening Ceremony
- Saturday 22nd April – Competition
- Sunday 23rd April – Competition & Closing Ceremony.
