A season of consolidation on all fronts. 2016/17 Annual Report www.walittleathletics.com.au 1 | 2016/17 ANNUAL REPORT FOUNDATION ENRICH NURTURE SUPPORT GUIDE The Little Athletics vision statement is ‘for Athletics to be the foundation sport of choice’. This reflects the widely held view that athletics is the ideal nursery for sport, with principles learned at an early age a crucial step in the development of fundamental skills for all Western Australians. Benefits of athletics extend further than physiological to both social and academic as the basis for a happy, healthy, active life. 2016/17 ANNUAL REPORT | 2 VISION, MISSION & VALUES To develop the fitness and character of Athletics in Western Australia is the foundation young people in Western Australia and to sporting activity of choice inspire them to achieve their full potential through athletics. VISION MISSION VALUES Our shared values shall underpin everything we do and define who we are and what we stand for. We shall always; • Be open, honest, transparent and accountable • Value Diversity and Inclusivity • Act with Respect and Integrity • Be open to Innovation • Have Fun 3 | 2016/17 ANNUAL REPORT LAWA STRATEGIC PLAN Creating • Engaging athletes and families in a digital future service. • Long term growth and sustainability of the opportunities sport. (+ 3 years) • Build partnership with like-minded organisations. Embracing the digital generation Growing the • Build pathways for athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers. Association • Athletic events that talk to the ‘now’ generation. (+ 2 years) • Grow and sustain membership base beyond Attract, develop and retain ‘Olympic’ years. athletes through new and • ‘One Sport’ structure adopted. improved events • Consolidating & simplifying structure of Little Building the Athletics WA. Foundation • Strengthening the profile of Little Athletics WA. (+ 1 year) • Cost efficiencies through supply and people Improving the efficiencies of productivity. Little Athletics WA 2016/17 ANNUAL REPORT | 4 2016/17 ACHIEVEMENTS 5 | 2016/17 ANNUAL REPORT BOARD REPORT 2017 has been a year where Little value and importance of Little Athletics as a foundation Athletics WA (LAWA) has re-built sport for children, and the significance the sport has for the foundations of its governing personal growth, development and health benefits for function to provide greater the athletes and their families. We want to thank the support, structure and pathway Hon Mia Davies, MLA for her support and advocacy of development for its members and Little Athletics over the past year. volunteers alike. Concurrently, LAWA also undertook to review its The LAWA internal business sustainability model events and competition delivery as has seen progressive development in governance part of a commitment to continual compliance over the past year. Centre’s have also improvement and growth for the benefited from an increased level of support and sport. guidance assisting in the reduction of workload burdens on Centre volunteers and increasing efficiencies. The year commenced with the final transition to the revised Board structure comprising five elected and A ‘Whole of Sport’ approach to athletics in Western three appointed Directors. The Board structure allows Australia has proactively commenced. Where good the sport to be governed by Directors with a variety of intentions have been discussed for many years, actions skills and different professional background to support are now occurring through a joint commitment and the strategic development of Little Athletics to meet genuine interest to progress the sport. The concept both current and future challenges. The operational is not new, however for the first-time, formal initiatives functions previously undertaken by the Board have will now be documented within the ‘Whole of Sport’ been transitioned to management, thus providing Strategic Plan. The plan will outline projects to achieve greater support and accountability to the members. greater efficiencies such as the use of shared resources and better utilisation of funding. Creating clear and The resourcing and recruitment of dynamic and supported developmental pathways for athletes, innovative staff has resulted in an increased ability coaches and volunteers will also contribute to the to support, guide, assist and communicate with the sports success, strength and sustainability into the members, volunteers, and all other stakeholders. future. The LAWA 2016-19 Strategic Plan was implemented 12 Events and Competition reviews have been conducted months ago and is the core document outlining what over the past year to provide the best possible LAWA is doing, and where we are focusing our energy experience for athletes, their families, and volunteers. and resources to achieve the future direction of the With the advent of new staff and key supporting sport. It is an ambitious plan, and the past year has personnel changes, lessons learnt will be used to been a positive and productive one, where LAWA has implement further improvements and contribute to the clearly established itself as a leader in junior sport, and desire to achieve a continuous improvement culture. within the wider sporting community. A key benefit to achieving a supported governance LAWA’s increased communication and engagement structure, increasing our profile, and being proactive in the sporting community, together with our dynamic through wider community engagement is that and proactive approach to increase our profile, was LAWA has developed partnerships, with several key acknowledged when the Hon Mia Davies, then Minister organisations including Volunteering WA, Inclusion WA, for Water, Sport and Recreation and Forestry, accepted Office of Multicultural Interests, Perth Children’s Hospital an invitation to become the Patron for LAWA. As a Foundation, Communicare, Edmund Rice Foundation, former little athlete, Minister Davies understood the Department of Sport and Recreation, and many more. 2016/17 ANNUAL REPORT | 6 BOARD REPORT LAWA is also building strong relationships with other year grouping, rather than the current structure, sports to work in partnership to increase health and which is aligned to the summer competition season lifestyle choices to the community. LAWA wishes to commencing in October. The States will continue to acknowledge the work and dedication of Gymnastics work with LAA to addressed the challenges that will WA, with whom LAWA is working closely with to occur due to the change. co-ordinate the ‘Little Urban Jungle’; a community event held in the July school holidays at Perth Town Nationally, LAA registration numbers have remained Hall, for young children to come and try athletics and relatively consistent over several years, however gymnastics for free. with an increasing population and a broader range of sports available, the Little Athletics share of the LAWA acknowledges and thanks McDonalds who sports market is increasingly declining. Essentially, have supported Little Athletics for the past five years the product being offered today has not changed as a major State sponsor. Their ongoing support and significantly in 50 years. For the sport to remain contribution to the sport throughout the sponsorship relevant, viable, and sustainable going into the term has been very much appreciated and provided future, the Little Athletics product offering must much needed assistance to the delivery of our sport. be reviewed to meet changing society needs and demands. GEMBA, a qualified external agency In January 2017, LAWA was pleased to announce offering specialised service insights, strategies and a three-year commercial partnership with leading communication to the global sport and entertainment apparel brand ISC Teamwear as our Official industry, has been engaged to assist Little Athletics Apparel Partner. The new agreement will see ISC to review its product and provide advice on produce apparel for Little Athletics events and State implementation strategies across the States. representatives in fresh, dynamic designs and quality apparel. Centres are also able to receive rebates Jetstar has been the national naming rights sponsor and access online custom kit systems through ISC for the past three years and a proactive supporter Teamwear. of Little Athletics during this period. Recently, Jetstar announced they would not be continuing as the In a significant step for LAWA, we are pleased to naming rights sponsor, however will remain a strong announce and confirm Healthway has recently supporter and major partner of Little Athletics. signed on as a major commercial partner for Little Athletics WA for the next two years. The healthy ASICS has been a major partner for LAA, supplying lifestyle message of both organisations is mutually quality shoes and sports clothing for the Australian exclusive and we are excited to support the ‘Go for Little Athletics Championships for the past few years. 2 & 5’ message through our program delivery locally, ASICS has declined to renew as a major partner as the regionally and within schools. LAWA will be working company are directing their resources and strategic with Healthway to develop projects with mutual focus to TOKYO 2020. benefits to the sport, and within Centres. To the Little Athletics WA community, athletes, On the National front, LAA announced that the age coaches, officials, administrators and volunteers, thank group registration dates will be standardised at the you for all that you have contributed to ensure the commencement of