Victorian Little Athletics Association Inc February 2010, Issue 149

C Locked Bag 1011, Making Tracks Port 3207 VIC Ph: 03 9676 3600 Toll Free: 1800689 112 Fax: 03 9676 3601 Email [email protected]

Welcome Back

Welcome to the first edition of Making Tracks for 2010! We trust you all had a wonderful Christmas & New Year. With one State Championship event down, the year is well and truly under way. We wish all our Centres good luck in the upcoming Region & State Events.

2010 State Multi Event Championships – : 30 th & 31 st January 2010

The 2010 State Multi Event Championships were held at the LaTrobe University Athletics Track in Bendigo on the weekend of 30 th & 31 st January 2010 . VLAA would like to sincerely thank all officials who put in a huge amount of work across the weekend to ensure the event was run on schedule. Thanks must go to all athletes, team managers and parents for participating in the event which was held in hot conditions across the two days. Results are now available on the VLAA website, with remaining place cards having now been posted to all Team Managers. Thanks again to all involved in making this another enjoyable State event!

U6-8 Multi Clinic - Bendigo

As part of the 2010 State Multi Event Championships, U6-8 athletes were invited to register to take part in an hour long U6-8 Multis Clinic held on the back straight of the Bendigo Track.

Over 50 young athletes participated in a session full of fun athletics based activities with a selection of coaches on hand. A fun clinic had by all.

More photos available under the ‘Photos’ section on the VLAA website: www.vlaa.com.au .

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Region & State Track & Field Championships

The 2010 State Track & Field Championships are being held Saturday 20 th & Sunday 21 st March at Olympic Park.

The 2010 timetable has been published on the VLAA website under Championships/Championship Events/State Track & Field.

Region Track & Field Dates & Venues:

 Eastern Metro – Sat 20 th & Sun 21 st Feb @ Knox  Northern Metro – Sat 20 th & Sun 21 st Feb @ Whittlesea City  Southern Metro – Sat 20 th & Sun 21 st Feb @ Frankston  Western Metro – Sat 20 th & Sun 21 st Feb @ Geelong  Gippsland – Sun 21 st Feb @ Moe  Northern Country – Sat 13 th & Sun 14 th Feb @ Albury  Western Country – Sun 14 th Feb @ Ballarat  Wimmera Mallee – Sun 14 th Feb @ Swan Hill

Please see your Region for the timetable of Region events. All Region entries have now closed . Please contact your Region if you have any questions regarding the event.

2010 State Cross Country Championships

The 2010 State Cross Country Championships will be held on Sunday 1 st August at the Geelong Racecourse.

Further information regarding the event will be distributed to all Centres following the completion of the Track & Field season.

Additional Ordered T-shirts – State Relays 09

The t-shirts have finally arrived and we apologise for any inconvenience caused. They have been posted on 15 th February.

Reconciliation Reminder – Jan

A reminder that the January Registration Reconciliation summary sheets are now due. Please ensure that this is submitted direct to [email protected] ASAP.

Marketing & Communications Co-ordinator

The VLAA office is looking for a Marketing & Communications Co-ordinator to join the VLAA team. A full job description is now available on the VLAA website: www.vlaa.com.au > About Us > Employment

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Royal Children’s Hospital – Good Friday Appeal

Could all Centres please finalise any funds that have been raised for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal and forward a cheque payable to VLAA into the office by Monday 22 February 2010 . It is important to finalise these funds ASAP.

Thank you to the 16 Centres who have already sent their cheques in. If you have any photos that you wish to be included in Making Tracks/E News, please forward them to Jo Linford – [email protected] .

In addition there has been one Centre which has kindly donated $500, however did not let us know which Centre it came from. If you have raised $500 and sent a cheque in, could you please confirm to Jo which Centre you are from.

Volunteers Required – Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal

On Friday 2 April the Royal Children’s Hospital will be conducting their annual Good Friday Appeal . Working in conjunction with RCH, the VLAA will again host an interactive site at Etihad Stadium and would like the assistance of volunteers on this day. It is a great opportunity for you to do your part at this magnificent day.

We would like to hear from anyone who is interested and available. There will be 2 time slots during the day, with us conducting running races, jumping and throwing activities along with the fun stuff of face painting and hair spray. The time slots will be 8.00am – 12.00pm and 11.30am – 3.30pm. Please email Jo Linford ( [email protected] ) the following details and your preferred time slot: Name, Centre, Email Address, Mobile Number (preferred) and time slot preference.

The McDonald’s Equipment Grant is Open Again!

This time last year Camperdown won $1000 to go towards their new Jump Pit run up. This year it could be your Centre! All you need to do is tell us in 50 words or less - what equipment your Centre requires and how winning the grant will improve your Little Aths Centre.

Your poster in regards to this Grant will be available at Region .

Entry Form & Terms & Conditions can be found on the VLAA website.

Willis – 2009-10 Insurance Handbook

An electronic version of the Willis Insurance Handbook 2009-10 is now available on the VLAA website: www.vlaa.com.au > Resources. If you would like a hard copy of the handbook please contact your Region.

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2010 Weet Bix Kids TRYathlon

The 2010 Weet Bix Kids TRYathlon will be held on Sunday 14 th March at Catani Gardens, St Kilda. Event organisers are looking for assistance and need marshals for the event. This is the perfect opportunity to raise funds for your Centre, with each marshal earning you $25. Marshals will be required to sign on at 6am with an approximate finish time of 11am. A light breakfast will be provided. To support this event please contact Tony Mitchelhill as per the attached flyer.

Bring a Friend Program

The Bring a Friend Program competition will close prior to the State Track & Field Championships where the winner of the Nintendo Wii Sports Pack will be presented. More information on this program & competition can be found on Page 6 . Please ensure all forms are submitted to the VLAA office ASAP.

Does your Centre want some more fundraising ideas? The Fundraising Directory is the largest resource for fundraising in , and lists hundreds of fundraising ideas. Booklets available to Centres upon request to: [email protected] . Link to Directory website is listed under the “Centres and Links” section of the VLAA website.

IGA’s Little Athletics Docket Competition

A reminder to Centres that your September – January monthly summaries should have already been submitted to the VLAA office. Any outstanding summaries, please forward on to ASAP. Fax No. (03) 9676 3601 , E-mail: [email protected] February summary due at the end of this month. This competition will run until April 2010.

IGA Officials Prize Draw

Congratulations to Matthew Dews of the Warrnambool Centre – December Winner . Matthew’s details have been passed onto IGA to follow up accordingly. Centres are remaindered to keep sending in their IGA draw vouchers.

A reminder to Centres that we do not want any dockets to come into the office!

CHRISTMAS COLOURING COMPETITION - Winners

Congratulations to the following athletes:

 Jack Nicholls - U10 - Lancefield/ Romsey  Daniela Roman - U14 – Werribee  Isabella Simonelli - U9 - Lancefield/ Romsey  Amy Benifer - U12 – Ringwood

These athletes have WON a Little Athletics Prize Pack! Prizes have been posted out to each respective winner.

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Caulfield LAC – Facilities to get upgrade!

The Glen Eira Council were successful in their application to the State Government for a $500 000 Community Facility Funding for the upgrade to the sports pavilion at Duncan Mackinnon reserve which is home to Caulfield Little Athletics Centre and other local sporting tenants. Four of our athletes were pictured at the announcement with James Merlino State Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs, Member for Oakleigh Ann Barker MP and Cr Helen Whiteside. The upgrade will provide our athletes with much more usable and upgraded facilities.

Article courtesy of the Glen Eira News -

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Mike Kerr – City of Knox “2010 Volunteer of the Year”

The most recognised face from the Knox Little Athletics Centre was a nominee at the City of Knox Australia Day Local Awards in the "2010 Volunteer of the Year" category. At the official awards ceremony held on Australia Day – Tuesday 26 th January, Mike Kerr was announced as the winner with his Little Athletics involvement. Mike has been volunteering in a variety of ways for many years at Knox LAC and his volunteer service was recognised with this award.

In front of 150 guests including local Federal and State MPs including James Merlino (State Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs), Knox City Mayor, Cr Joe Cossari, Knox City Councillors and Channel 10 weatherman Mike Larkin as guest speaker, Mike was presented with his award by Cr. Andrew Walter (Friberg Ward).

Mikes family were in attendance to celebrate with him.

On behalf of all families, athletes and all those associated with Knox Little Athletics and the Little Athletics family as a whole, congratulations Mike, a most deserved recipient of the award and a great example of those who volunteer to ensure Little Athletics continues to flourish and realises its ethos of “Family, Fitness and Fun".

More photos available on the Knox website: http://www.klac23.org.au/ or via the link on the VLAA website.

Mike Kerr – Knox LAC – Mike Kerr with his family 2010 Volunteer of the Year Winner City of Knox Australia Day Local Awards

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Maryborough LAC - Highland Games Street Parade

Maryborough Little Athletics Centre members took part in the street parade for the Maryborough Highland Games held on New Year's Day. Athletes led the pipe bands down the main street for the event, which features athletics, traditional highland games such as caber tossing and highland dancing. The athletics highlight is the Maryborough Gift. A special handicap race is also held for little Maryborough Little Athletics Centre members.

Maryborough Members leading the Parade

Judy and Maryborough athlete Lateasha Winner s of the MLAC races Jade Richardson & Hayden Cain

VLAA Membership director Judy Wilmshurst visited Maryborough Little Athletics in December. The centre took advantage of the visit and asked Judy to officially present a special Maryborough Little Athletics scholarship to Lateasha Hansch. The centre awarded presented Lateasha a scholarship at the start of the season that included free membership for the year, a free uniform and entry fees into regional and state championships in recognition of her performances at the Victorian Primary School's Championships.

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Melbourne Track Classic – Thursday 4 th March

In what is fast becoming the event of the 2010 domestic season, dual Olympic medallist David Neville (USA) will take on Australia’s best 400m athletes this summer as the nation’s top one-lappers look towards Commonwealth Games glory in New , India, in October.

Neville will line up at the Melbourne Track Classic at Melbourne Dual Olympic Medallist David Neville (USA) Olympic Park on Thursday, March 4 .

The 25-year-old will face one of the strongest 400m fields ever to have contested the domestic season, with 4x400m world championships bronze medallists , , , and set to take it right up to the American star as they step up their preparations for Delhi.

Ticketing Details

Ticket prices are as follows for the Melbourne Track Classic on Thursday 4 March at Olympic Park:

FREE for children U12 (at the gate. No tickets required.)

DISCOUNTED tickets for VLAA members (general admission, not grandstand seats) are available at $15 for adults & $7.50 concession (FT students or pensioners). Purchases for this price must be booked through the link located on the VLAA website > News Item #5.

Purchases through TICKETEK or at the gate on the night will be $20/ adult & $10/ concession for general admission or $30/ $20 for a grandstand seat.

Are you a future star of athletics?

Come and See!

For just $10 you are invited to join in a special athletics clinic (before the start of the Melbourne Track Classic – Thursday 4 March at 6.30pm) led by some of the Australian Flame team members. Once the clinic is complete you will be allocated seats along with a parent/guardian right at the finish line.

Athletes must register for this clinic, with only 120 kids accepted.

REGISTER ONLINE: www.vlaa.com.au

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Become a Fan of Little Athletics on Facebook

Click on the Facebook logo on the VLAA website (front page) to access the Little Athletics webpage.

Volunteer of the Year 2009-10

Do you have someone at your Centre who would be worthy of being nominated for the 2009-10 Volunteer of the Year?

Submit a nomination today!

This award is a great way to recognise the work done by ordinary members across all Centres, both metropolitan and Country.

Nominees do not have to be committee members or hold a specific job title. The purpose of these awards is to recognise the outstanding contributions made by members at “grassroots” level during the current season.

Nomination Form can be found under the “Awards & Rewards” section on the VLAA website .

Nominations Close: Friday May 28 th 2010

Level 1 and Level 2 Officials

The Association would like to congratulate the following recipients whom have successfully completed their respective Level 1 test and have achieved their Level 2 accreditation.

Level 1 Centre Casanda Woods Ararat

Level 2 Centre

Michael Stafford Frankston

Jenny McCausland Kew

Paul Stannard Sunbury

Michael Verni Waverley Julie Pendred Westernport

We ask that parents, friends, family and helpers continue to send through their exams for marking. The updated Officials booklet and exam can be found on the website www.vlaa.com.au > Officials > Officials handbook & exam.

JDS Day 4 2010 – Doncaster

Photos from JDS Day 4 at Doncaster are now available for reference on the VLAA website > Photos section.

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2010 Victorian Youth Track & Field Championships

26 th – 28 th February 2010 at Olympic Park, Melbourne

You’ve trained hard, found form and now is your time to reap the rewards in competition. With the Victorian Little Athletics calendar culminating at the VLAA State Championships (20 th – 21 st March 2010), warm-up for the big day, get the competitive juices flowing, and test out the Olympic Park track, by contesting the 2010 Victorian Youth Track & Field Championships (Friday 26 th , Saturday 27 th & Sunday 28 th February 2010).

With age-group events for U14, U15, U16, U17, and U18 athletes, experience the thrill of a major championship, and get pumped up to produce a personal best against the state’s best. The premier Youth Track and Field meet on Athletics Victoria’s competition calendar, entry to the Championship is FREE to all JDS members, with no qualifying standards required.

The Victorian Youth Track & Field Championship is also a selection activity for any athlete wishing to contest the 2010 Australian Junior Track & Field Championships, in Sydney from Thursday 11 th March to Sunday 14 th March. Subject to meeting the qualifying standards, this meet provides athletes the opportunity to represent their state against the best age-group athletes from across the country, and provides another ideal tune-up prior to the VLAA State Championships.

Age group eligibilities for the aforementioned Championships are as follows:

- Under 14 – turning 12 or 13 years old in 2010 - Under 15 – turning 14 years old in 2010. - Under 16 – turning 15 years old in 2010. - Under 17 – turning 16 years old in 2010. - Under 18 – turning 17 years old in 2010.

* Please note: To be eligible to win a Victorian Championship, athletes must be a registered member of an Athletics Victoria club, compete in their correct age group as designated by Athletics Victoria rules (athletes must be underage as at 31 st December 2010), and have paid the correct entry fee of $10 per event.

For further enquiries, please contact Athletics Victoria Programs Manager Jade Borella on (03) 9428 8195 or [email protected] .

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FEBRUARY / MARCH

20 th Feb Region Track & Field Eastern Metro @ Knox (EMR; NMR; SMR; WMR) Northern Metro @ Whittlesea City Southern Metro @ Frankston

Western Metro @ Geelong

21 st Feb Region Track & Field (Gippsland) Moe

26 th , 27 th & 28 th JDS Day 5/ AV Youth Track & Field Olympic Park Feb Championships Timetable - VLAA Website

4th Mar Melbourne Track Classic Olympic Park

7th Mar Werribee LAC: 40 th Anniversary Open Day VLAA Website Calendar

14 th Mar Coburg LAC: All Star Day VLAA Website Calendar

20 th Mar The 59 th Burramine Gift VLAA Website Calendar

20th & 21 st Mar VLAA State Track & Field Championships Olympic Park

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McDONALD’S BRING A FRIEND PROGRAM

“Bring a Friend” is a great way to gain new members for your Centre. Why don’t you encourage your members to bring their friends along to Little Athletics? It’s a proven fact that if you make the friends feel welcome and give them a good time, they will want to join and you will increase your membership.

This year Centres can select any day over the course of the season to conduct ‘Bring a Friend’ or make every day ‘Bring a Friend’ day. Your Centre might choose to invite friends at the start of the season or your members might be able to bring a friend any time they like.

All Centres that conduct “Bring a Friend” will go in to the running to WIN our VLAA mascots Vicky and Victor for your Presentation Day .

Every athlete who brings a friend who registers with your Centre will be entered into the draw for a Nintendo Wii Sports Pack valued at around $500.

A ‘Bring a Friend Prize Draw’ form must be filled in by the athlete who’s friend registers with your Centre and submitted to the VLAA office to be eligible for entry into the Nintendo Wii prize draw .

Centres are asked to fill out the ‘Centre Registration’ spreadsheet and submit this to the VLAA office along with photos of your “Bring a Friend” day. On receipt of these supporting documents, your Centre will be entered into the “WIN Vicky & Victor” draw .

All forms can be found under the “Centre Login” section of the VLAA website.

VLAA is happy to supply Centres with any promotional items upon request. Request for items can be e-mail through to: [email protected] .

The winning individual & Centre will be presented at the upcoming State Track & Field Championships at Olympic Park on the 20 th & 21 st March.

Get involved before it is too late!

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SPECIAL OFFER FOR

Members of Victorian

Little Athletics ONLY

10% OFF

NEW Compact Canopy Marquee

$299

Fits in tthehe Boot of your Car !!!!

The Compact Canopy is truly a revolution in sheltering needs. This new Australian innovation provides you with a compact, lightweight, stylish and affordable product for all your family events. This fits easily into the boot of your car featuring a carry case with wheels for easy manoeuvrability. It is easy to assemble and consists of a 3m x 3m heavy duty shelter along with a brilliant quality internal frame. The Compact Canopy lightweight model starts from as low as 15kg in its carry bag. It is 100% waterproof, seam sealed and with an option of UV treatment for any condition. This is a great product for weekly competition, Open Days or

Region and State Championship events. Altegra is the official supplier of all Victorian Little Athletics marquees.

CALL 9763 5180

And tell the sales staff you are from Victorian Little Athletics to take advantage of this great offer at this great priceprice!!!!

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