FAQ about Little Athletics with Ryde!
Check our Facebook Page for an information Video
The answers to most of your Little As questions are here
When is the season? Our season usually begins in September and we generally have a few weeks break over Christmas and New Year and then begin again in January through to March.
Where? Dunbar Park, Sobraon Rd, Marsfield
Click here for DUNBAR PARK MAP
Time? Saturday Mornings from 8am. See our program page here. If you can’t make it one week that’s ok, no need to let anyone know.
When do they finish? Each age group will do 6 events each week. We work on a two week program. Age groups finish between 10am-11am just depending on what events they have that week. Older children who do Javelin will finish later as they don’t compete until the track is clear
How does the morning work? Your child will meet their Age Manager and Assistant. They will have the same people with them all morning. These people will be the same every week (unless they are away) so your child will get to know their Age Manager. The Age Manager will walk the group to all of the different events during the morning and when they are finished they will ensure that they are returned to you.
NSW Athletics Partnership
What changes for the upcoming Little Athletics Season at Dunbar park?
Essentially nothing changes for us on Saturday mornings at Dunbar park. We have a wonderful athletics program that has been running successfully for many years and the partnership between the peak bodies in NSW will not change Ryde Little Athletics Philosophy towards our program or the way we implement it. Most importantly the experience our Little Athletes have on Saturday mornings, During Summer at Dunbar Park will not change! Fun with their friends and being active.
What are the changes we keep hearing about and who do they affect?
The changes relate to Pathways to representative competitions for those athletes who
1. Are born 2012 and before (referred to as Juniors by the Athletics partnership)
2. Qualify for the NSW Little Athletics State carnival or who are aiming to try to do so.
There are no changes for Little Athletes up to under 12’s – entry to the state carnival will be through Zone and regional qualification only.
Registrations for 2025/26 season will open on 2nd August 2025.
When completing registration there will be the option of New or Returning Member.
Select returning member only if your athlete was Dual Registered with ANSW last season.
If you were only a member at Ryde Athletics you will need to select New Member – this is due to a change in the platform used for registrations.
Registrations will be via the below link
https://www.revolutionise.com.au/rydeathletics
Registration fees for the 2024-2025 season can only be paid online. For those families that register by 20/08/24, they will have access to our early bird prices ($10 off per athlete).
$185 first athlete registered
$110 Tiny Tots (born in 2020 only)
$50 social athletes/community membership
In addition, we also provide throughout the registration period, a family discount, which this year will be as follows:
2 athletes registered at the same time: $20 off total cost
3 athletes registered at the same time: $40 off total cost
4 athletes registered at the same time: $60 off total cost
5 athletes registered at the same time: $80 off total cost
Please note this only applies to athletes who register at the same time, and is applied automatically by the registration system. It cannot be done when registrations are processed and paid for separately.
We strongly recommend members to register before 20/08/24 to ensure they have their registration packs +/- uniforms ready in time for the start of the season
Some general information for Little Athletics registrations
No registration is complete or valid unless the full payment of fees has been made.
NB. In accordance with LANSW policy, as stated in their registration declaration, registration fees are non refundable.
If you are a new registration, you must provide Proof of Age before we can release your registration number. An original birth certificate, passport, notification of birth or hospital blue book are all acceptable forms of proof. Remember that the age group you are in is determined by your age as at midnight 31 December. For example, if you are 8 years old on this day, you will compete as an under 9 athlete. This ruling is strictly adhered to and we cannot put children in incorrect age groups.
We have limited internet access at Dunbar Park so we cannot confirm your online registration if you do not bring your invoice or receipt when you come to collect your registration number. Please complete your online registration before 5pm on the day before you come to collect!
Having registered online your registration numbers will be available for collection: on Collection Day or on the first Saturday of competition after you have completed your online registration.
If you are collecting your numbers at the track, please remember to bring your safety pins to attach your numbers!
Senior registration costs should be obtained from the Registrar or President on Registration Day.
Can I register after the season starts?
We take registrations all competition season IF the age group has not reached capacity.
You can register online before 5pm Friday and come to Dunbar the following day between 8am and 10am to collect your numbers.
It is better for you to register before the season starts as this saves a lot of queuing and gets you onto the track faster! We strongly recommend pre-season registration.
Can I try Little As before I register? Trials will be held in October. If age groups reach capacity then trials for that group will be cancelled. You will be advised via e mail. Please register your interest for Trials HERE
ACTIVE KIDS VOUCHERS
The $50 Active Kids Vouchers can be used during the registration process.
Apply for your Active Kids Voucher before you go online to register. Applications can be made here
Be sure to have your voucher ready BEFORE you start the Little Athletics registration process.
What to bring? Hat, comfortable running shoes, sun-screen and water bottle.
How to pay? Online only
Documents to provide?
We need to sight your child’s Birth certificate, Blue Book or Passport to make sure they register in the right age group.
What age groups?
Athletes can register from the age of 4. Age groups are determined by age of the child as at midnight on 31 December, e.g. a child who has already turned 8 as at midnight on 31st December will be registered and will compete as an Under 9 Little Athlete. This is not able to be changed by us – age groupings are strictly adhered to as a requirement of LANSW.
Note – Ryde Athletics will be accepting Tots born in 2020 only. Those born in 2021 will need to wait until our 25/26 season.
What events can my child do?
Each week we alternate on a Week 1 and Week 2 program.
Depending on their age, children get a variety of track and field events such as:
Track – 70m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 700m, 800m, 1500m , 3000m, hurdles and race walking.
Field – Long Jump, Triple Jump, Shot Put, Discus, High Jump, and Javelin
*** ALL EVENTS ARE OPTIONAL. CHILDREN ARE ENCOURAGED BUT NOT FORCED TO ENTER ANYTHING. ***
Weekly Programs
Our weekly programs are available here
Uniforms
Uniforms will be available to purchase during the registration process. It is preferable to buy uniforms at the time of registration. Uniform purchases will also be available on collection day (subject to availability).
When can I purchase a uniform?
-Athletes must compete in the Ryde Centre uniform each Saturday, at LANSW competition events, and if dual registered, at ANSW events
-Girls: Centre T shirt, singlet or crop top with black shorts or bike pants.
-Boys: Centre T shirt or singlet with black running shorts.
Shirts/singlets/crop tops can only be purchased from the club.
Black shorts, can be purchased at the usual sporting outlets.
-The athlete’s individual registration number is to be sewn on to the front of the shirt, singlet or crop top with red border fully visible.
-The age group number is sewn on the front left hand side of the shirt or shorts and the COLES patch is sewn on the front right hand side of the shirt.
-Tots have their own shirt provided by the club and registration number is to be affixed to the front of the shirt. Tots may also wear a club uniform shirt if they choose.
-We have a collection of second hand uniforms available if anyone wants to donate their preloved uniforms or if the cost of new uniforms is prohibitive.
Uniform Prices for 2024-25 Season
Unisex T-Shirts (Size 6-22)
$45
Ladies’ Singlets (G6-10, L8-18)
$45
Men’s Singlets (Size 10-20)
$45
Ladies’ Crop Tops
$65
Parent declaration and working with children declaration?
You will also be required to confirm you have read and understand the parent/guardian declaration and provide your Centre with a completed Little Athletics NSW Working with Children declaration.
What do I do as a parent?
Parents are required to stay each Saturday and help out on the oval as an official/helper or alternatively can help with the BBQ or Canteen. Little A’s can only continue with the support of the parents involved in the morning activities, and this is why we need your help. You will not be able to walk around with your child and their age group. Our volunteers coordinator can help you choose which event to help with if you are unsure.
Children must not be left unattended at Dunbar Park.
A parent or guardian must remain at the grounds.
What do the Tiny Tots do each Saturday?
If your child is a Tiny Tot, they will participate in play activities, mainly in their own area. Tots usually spend some time on the track where they run, have relays, and long jump into the sandpit to get them used to the track, running in lanes, and queueing for their turn, amongst other things! The activities are designed to develop some of the gross motor skills and co-ordination used in later years for athletics, eg throwing bean bags jumping, running, etc .
A parent of the Tot stays with them and helps with the activities. All the Tots’ parents take a turn in organising and leading the activities for the group. The Tots’ program starts at 8.30 and usually finishes by 9.30. No times or places are recorded for them.
What happens if it rains?
Due to the low impact nature of athletics, council usually gives us permission to make the decision about conducting events at Dunbar Park. We will only cancel competition if the track is deemed unsafe to conduct any events. We may use the wet weather program if necessary. If you are unsure about morning competition, it is worthwhile making the trip to the ground as it is likely to be usable.
Cancellations will be posted on the home page of this website by 7:30am on the morning of competition. We will also post on social media.
Achievement levels
Follow this link for information on our achievement levels.
Rules of Competition
Coming soon.
Canteen and BBQ
We are very fortunate at Ryde Athletics to have a well stocked canteen and a popular BBQ stall. Our canteen has all the usual favourites including cold drinks, ice blocks, snacks and (very importantly) coffee! Our BBQ caters for both meat and vegetable lovers with options such as sausages, eggs, bacon and mixed vegetables!
*Please note; cash and EFTPOS/tap payments at the canteen, EFTPOS/tap payments only at the BBQ.
Communications?
Ryde Athletics uses TeamApp (available to download to your smart phone here), Facebook, Instagram, Emails and our website to communicate with our club members.
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