Thinking about getting your kids into a fun, active sport this season? Balmoral Little Athletics is a great place to start. It’s all about having a go, improving your personal best, and enjoying some healthy activity with the family. Whether your child is a seasoned athlete or just starting out, there’s a place for them here. We’ve put together some info to help you get involved with Balmoral Little Athletics.
Key Takeaways
- Signing up for Balmoral Little Athletics is now done through a new system called Sport80, so new and returning families will need to create or log into an account.
- You can choose to register for the full season or opt for a two-week trial, which can be deducted from the full fee if you decide to continue.
- The season runs from early September to mid-March, with weekly training sessions on Tuesdays and competitions on Wednesdays, excluding school holidays.
- Balmoral Little Athletics offers a range of track and field events, from sprints and hurdles to various jumping and throwing disciplines, with programs adapting as the season progresses.
- The club is located at 391 Stanley Road, Carina, within the Clem Jones sporting precinct, with parking available nearby.
Joining Balmoral Little Athletics
Getting started with Balmoral Little Athletics is pretty straightforward, and we’re excited to have you join our club! Whether you’re completely new to the sport or coming back for another season, we’ve made the sign-up process as easy as possible. Our aim is to get your kids out on the track and field having fun with minimal fuss.
New Season Registration Process
For the upcoming season, Little Athletics Queensland has moved to a new online system called Sport80. This means everyone, new and returning families alike, will need to use this platform to register. The entire registration process is now managed online through Sport80. You’ll need to create an account if you’re new, or simply log in with your existing details if you’ve registered before. Don’t worry if you’ve forgotten your password; there’s a simple reset option available. This new system is designed to streamline things, making it quicker and simpler for you to get your athlete signed up. You can find more details about the registration process on their website.
Understanding Age Groups
At Balmoral Little Athletics, we cater to children aged from 3 to 17 years old. For the 2025-26 season, this covers children born between 2009 and 2022. When you register online, your child’s age group is automatically determined by their date of birth. It’s important that athletes compete in their correct age bracket, as set out by Little Athletics Queensland, regardless of their skill level or who their friends are.
- Tiny Tots: 3-4 years old
- U6 – U8: Junior age groups
- U9 – U13: Middle age groups
- U14 – U17: Senior age groups
If you’re registering for the first time, you’ll need to provide proof of your child’s age. This can be their birth certificate or passport. You can either upload a copy during the online registration or bring the original document to one of our sign-on days or to the clubhouse.
Registration Fees and Payment
We offer a couple of registration options to suit your needs. You can choose to register for the full season or opt for a two-week trial to see if it’s the right fit for your child. All fees are paid online through the Sport80 platform at the time of registration. Here’s a breakdown of the fees for the 2025-26 season:
| Athlete Age Group | Full Season Fee |
|---|---|
| U5 (Tiny Tots) | $150 |
| U6 – U8 | $270 |
| U9 – U13 | $300 |
| U14 – U17 | $200 |
A two-week trial costs $40. This trial fee includes coaching, competition access, and insurance, and it’s deducted from the full season fee if you decide to continue. Please note that these fees are exclusive of any transaction charges.
Club uniform items, like the competition polo and shorts, are purchased separately and are not included in the registration fee. We’ll cover more on gear a bit later on.
Getting Started with Balmoral Little Athletics
So, you’re thinking about joining the fun at Balmoral Little Athletics? That’s fantastic! We’re really excited to have you on board. Getting started is pretty straightforward, and we’ve broken it down to make it as easy as possible for everyone, whether you’re a brand new family or you’ve been with us before.
First Steps for New Families
If you’re new to the Balmoral scene, the first thing you’ll need to do is set up an account on the Sport80 system. This is where all the registration magic happens. You’ll need to create a login and password. Once that’s done, you can then register your child. For new families, you’ll need to provide proof of your child’s age, like a birth certificate or passport. You can either upload a copy during the online registration or bring the original to one of our sign-on evenings. Remember, your child must participate in their correct age group, which is determined by their date of birth. You can check the Little Athletics Queensland Registration Ages Table for specifics.
Returning Family Registration
If you’ve been part of Balmoral Little Athletics before, welcome back! Your account details from last season should still be active in the Sport80 system. Just use your existing login. If you’ve forgotten your password, there’s a handy ‘reset password’ option. Once you’re logged in, you can proceed with registering as a returning member. It’s usually a bit quicker this way!
Trial Options Available
Not quite ready to commit to the whole season? No worries at all! We offer a two-week trial period for $40. This is a great way to see if Little Athletics is the right fit for your child. It covers coaching, competition, and insurance. And the best part? If you decide to sign up for the full season after your trial, that $40 fee gets deducted from your total season cost. It’s a win-win!
Here’s a quick look at what’s included in the trial:
- Access to weekly training sessions.
- Participation in weekly competitions.
- Insurance coverage for the trial period.
We understand that choosing a sport for your child is a big decision. That’s why we’ve made it easy to try us out before you fully commit. Our goal is for everyone to have a positive experience from day one.
Balmoral Little Athletics Competition Details
Getting ready for competition day is part of the fun with Balmoral Little Athletics! We aim to make every competition a positive experience for all our athletes, focusing on participation and personal bests. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect each week.
Weekly Competition Schedule
Competitions kick off on Wednesday, 3 September 2025, and run through to Wednesday, 11 March 2026. There are no competitions during school holidays, giving everyone a break. The start times vary slightly by age group:
- Tiny Tots: 5:00 PM
- Under 6 to Under 8: 5:30 PM
- Under 9 to Under 17: 6:00 PM
It’s a good idea to arrive a little before your scheduled start time to get signed in and ready to go. We usually have a program that mixes up running, jumping, and throwing events, so athletes get a chance to try a bit of everything.
Track and Field Events Offered
We offer a range of track and field events, with the specific events available depending on the age group. The goal is for athletes to develop their skills in a supportive environment.
- Track Events: These include sprints (short, fast races), distance events (longer runs), and hurdles. For the younger age groups, the distances and number of hurdles are adjusted.
- Field Events: This category covers throwing events like shot put and discus, and jumping events such as long jump and high jump. Older age groups (Under 11 and up) may also have the opportunity to try triple jump.
For the first three weeks of the season, we run a simplified three-event program to help everyone ease back into it and manage the number of new athletes. From week four onwards, the Under 6 to Under 8 age groups continue with three events. For the Under 9 to Under 17 athletes, the program expands to four events, typically including two running, one throwing, and one jumping event. Later in the season, an optional fifth event, like a 1500m race or race walking, might be introduced.
Understanding Competition Rules
Little Athletics has a set of rules designed to ensure fairness and safety for all participants. While we encourage athletes to try their best, the emphasis is always on participation and personal improvement rather than just winning.
It’s important for parents and athletes to familiarise themselves with the basic rules for each event. This helps the competition run smoothly and reduces confusion on the day. Officials are there to guide everyone, but a little preparation goes a long way.
Age groups are strictly followed, meaning athletes must compete in the group determined by their date of birth. This ensures a level playing field. Parents are also encouraged to help out where possible, whether it’s with event marshalling or assisting with timing. It’s a team effort, after all!
Balmoral Little Athletics Training Information
Getting your kids involved in athletics is a fantastic way to build their fitness and teach them some new skills. At Balmoral Little Athletics, we offer dedicated training sessions designed to help athletes of all ages improve their track and field abilities. It’s not just about competition; it’s about personal growth and having a good time.
Weekly Training Sessions
Our training sessions run every Tuesday evening, kicking off promptly at 6:00 PM. We ask everyone to arrive a little earlier, around 5:50 PM, so we can get signed in and ready to go. These sessions are a great chance for athletes to work on their running, jumping, and throwing techniques in a supportive environment. Training is not compulsory, but it’s highly recommended for athletes looking to develop their skills. Please note that there are no training sessions held during school holidays, giving everyone a well-deserved break.
Developing Athlete Skills
Training nights are all about skill development. Our coaches focus on breaking down the different disciplines, from sprinting form and hurdle technique to the intricacies of long jump and shot put. We aim to build a strong foundation for all athletes, regardless of their current level. It’s a place where they can ask questions, try new things, and build confidence.
Training vs. Competition Nights
It’s important to know the difference between training and competition nights. While competition happens on Wednesday evenings, focusing on putting skills into practice during events, training nights are more about the ‘how-to’.
- Training (Tuesdays): Focuses on drills, technique refinement, and skill building across various track and field events.
- Competition (Wednesdays): Athletes participate in a set program of events, applying the skills they’ve learned.
- No Training During Holidays: Both training and competition take a break during official school holidays.
While competition nights are exciting and a chance to earn points, the dedicated training sessions are where the real magic happens for skill improvement. Think of it as practice time for the big game, but with less pressure and more focus on learning the ropes. It’s a chance to really nail down that technique before you have to perform it under the lights on a Wednesday night.
Essential Balmoral Little Athletics Gear
Getting the right gear for your little athlete is pretty straightforward with Balmoral Little Athletics. It’s all about making sure they’re comfortable and ready to compete. The club uniform is a must for all official competition nights and when representing Balmoral at other events. No special gear is needed for training nights, though, so don’t stress about that part.
Club Uniform Requirements
When it comes to the official uniform, there are a few options for tops and bottoms. These are the items you’ll need to pick up:
- Competition Polo: This is the standard top. Make sure to attach the athlete’s competition number, age badge, and the Coles patch in the correct spots. These little bits of kit are important for tracking results and showing club pride.
- Crop Top or Singlet Top: These are alternatives to the polo. Similar to the polo, you’ll need to attach the registration number and Coles patch. The age badge goes on the left leg of the bottoms for these options.
- Bottoms: You can choose plain navy or black tights, bike pants, or shorts. If you buy these from somewhere other than the club shop, just check that any brand logos aren’t bigger than 4cm x 4cm.
Footwear Guidelines for Competition
Choosing the right shoes for competition night is important for both comfort and performance. For most athletes, standard runners are perfectly fine. However, for those in the U11 age group and older, spikes are an option. It’s worth noting that even with spikes, there are rules. For instance, U11 and U12 athletes can’t use spikes for the 800m or 1500m races. Also, spikes aren’t allowed to be worn between events, so you’ll need to put them on just before your event and take them off right after. The approved spike types are Christmas Tree and Pyramid shapes.
Purchasing Club Apparel
Most of the gear you need, including the official uniform items, can be bought directly from the club’s uniform shop. It’s usually open on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at the clubhouse. Besides the competition wear, you might also find other club-branded items like training t-shirts, caps, bucket hats, and running singlets available for purchase. It’s a good idea to check out what’s on offer when you collect your athlete’s registration pack. You can find more details about the LAQ uniform policy if you want to get really specific.
Picking up your athlete’s registration pack is a key step after signing up. This pack includes your athlete’s competition number and age badge, which must be attached to their uniform. It also comes with other useful information for the season ahead.
Key Dates for Balmoral Little Athletics
Getting the dates right is super important so you don’t miss out on anything. We’ve got a whole season of fun planned, and knowing when things kick off and wrap up will help you plan your year. Mark these dates in your calendar now!
Season Start and End Dates
The 2025-2026 season is set to run from early September right through to mid-March. It’s a good chunk of time, giving everyone plenty of opportunity to get involved and improve.
- Training and Competition Kick-Off: Tuesday, 2nd September 2025
- Season Concludes: Wednesday, 11th March 2026
Just a heads-up, there’s no training or competition during any of the school holiday breaks. We’ll let you know the exact dates for those closer to the time.
Important Sign-On Evenings
Before the season officially starts, we hold a couple of sign-on evenings. These are your best chance to get all your questions answered, pick up your athlete’s registration pack, and sort out any uniform needs. It’s also a great way to meet some of the club committee and other families.
- First Sign-On Evening: To be announced (usually late August)
- Second Sign-On Evening: To be announced (usually early September)
Even if you miss these evenings, don’t stress! You can still register online and then arrange to collect your pack from the clubhouse. We want to make it as easy as possible for everyone to join.
School Holiday Breaks
We observe breaks during the official school holidays. This gives everyone a chance to rest up, go on holidays, or just take a breather from the athletics routine. Keep an eye on our club newsletter and website for the specific dates of these breaks as they are announced by the school system.
Remember, consistency is great, but so is balance. These breaks are built in so families can enjoy other aspects of life without missing out on the core athletics season.
Balmoral Little Athletics Club Location
Finding our way to the track and field is pretty straightforward. Balmoral Little Athletics calls the Clem Jones sporting precinct home. It’s a well-known spot in Carina, making it easy for most families to get to.
Finding Our Clubhouse
Our main hub is located at 391 Stanley Road, Carina. You’ll find us right on the corner of Stanley Road and Creek Road. It’s part of a larger sporting complex, so you’ll see plenty of other sports facilities around. Look for the signs for Balmoral Little Athletics, and you’re in the right place!
Parking and Access Information
Getting parked is usually not too much of a hassle. There’s parking available along Stanley Road itself. You can also use the car park at the nearby Carina Bowls Club, which is super convenient. Plus, there’s additional parking within the Clem Jones Centre complex. Just a heads-up, if you do park on the residential streets nearby, please be considerate and make sure you’re not blocking anyone’s driveway. We want to be good neighbours!
Here’s a quick rundown of where to park:
- Stanley Road
- Carina Bowls Club Car Park
- Clem Jones Centre Car Parks
We aim to make getting to and from training and competition as easy as possible for all our families. The location is chosen for its accessibility and the facilities it offers.
Ready to Get Moving?
So, that’s the lowdown on Balmoral Little Athletics. It’s all about getting the kids active, having a go, and just enjoying themselves, whether they’re sprinting, jumping, or throwing. The season kicks off soon, so don’t miss out on the fun. Head over to the registration page, get signed up, and we’ll see you and your little athletes down at the track. It’s a great way to spend time together and build some healthy habits. Let’s make this season a ripper!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sign my child up for Balmoral Little Athletics?
Signing up is a breeze! You’ll need to head over to the new Sport80 system online. If you’re new, you’ll create an account. If you’ve been with us before, you can use your existing login. Once you’re in, you can choose to register for the full season or try out a two-week trial. Don’t forget you’ll need to provide proof of your child’s age, like a birth certificate or passport, either by uploading it or showing it at one of our sign-on nights.
What age groups does Balmoral Little Athletics cater for?
We welcome athletes from 3 to 17 years old. For the 2025-26 season, this means kids born between 2009 and 2022. The system will automatically put your child into the correct age group based on their date of birth. It’s important they compete in their assigned age group, no matter who their friends are or how good they are!
What are the costs involved?
The fees vary a bit depending on your child’s age group. For example, our Tiny Tots (U5) are $150 for the full season, while older athletes might pay between $200 and $300. We also offer a two-week trial for $40, which gets taken off your full season fee if you decide to join. You’ll also need to buy a club uniform, which includes a competition polo, shorts or tights, and your athlete’s number.
What events can my child participate in?
We offer a great variety of track and field events! On the track, there are sprints, distance running, and hurdles. For field events, kids can try shot put, discus, javelin, long jump, and high jump. Older athletes (U11 and up) can also try triple jump. The program changes slightly throughout the season, with a focus on fun and trying different things, especially for the younger age groups.
When does training and competition happen?
Training sessions are held every Tuesday evening from September to March, usually from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Competition nights are on Wednesdays, kicking off around 5:00 PM or 5:30 PM depending on the age group. Just remember, there’s no training or competition during school holidays, and training isn’t compulsory but is super helpful for improving skills.
Where is Balmoral Little Athletics located?
You’ll find us at 391 Stanley Road in Carina, which is part of the Clem Jones sporting precinct. It’s near the Carina Bowls Club. There’s plenty of parking available along Stanley Road, in the Carina Bowls Car Park, and at the Clem Jones Centre. Just be a good neighbour and don’t block any driveways if you park on the street!
