Page 4 - KLAC 2023-24 Information Handbook

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the 47th season of Ku-ring-gai Little Athletics Centre (KLAC). This handbook is designed to assist you
to get the most out of your 2023/24 season with KLAC. Please retain it and refer to it throughout the year as we progress through various competitions and events during the season. Further information will be provided via the weekly newsletter which is e-mailed out to registered members or obtained via the centre website: www.klac.org.au and Facebook.
THE HISTORY OF KLAC
KLAC was established in September 1977 and is incorporated under NSW law and is affiliated with the Little Athletics Association of NSW Inc. In total 36,000 children are registered in NSW with one of the available 175 centres. The 175 centres are geographically divided into 23 zones (9 metropolitan and 14 country), which are further divided into 8 regions (4 metropolitan and 4 country). Regional competition enables progression to the state carnival (discussed further in Chapter 7: Championships)
KLAC is operated on a not-for-profit basis with no paid employees. Aside from qualified coaches, whom are engaged for several hours each week during the season, the Centre is operated entirely by parents and family members on
a voluntary basis. The Centre draws on families from the six clubs that form the Centre club structure of Gordon, Pymble, West Pymble, St Ives, Turramurra and Wahroonga. Ku-ring-gai Council maintains our track & field facilities in the best possible condition. KLAC leases the facilities block from Council.
The underlying philosophy of Little Athletics is one of “Family, friendship, fun and fitness”. Our Centre’s goals include ensuring our athletes and their families enjoy the participation and friendships at the Centre, developing and improving the skills and performances of all our athletes, supporting our athletes who compete at higher levels and providing all our athletes with a safe environment and well-maintained equipment and facilities.
Athletes are able to learn and develop at their own pace, where each event is modified to suit the age of our competitors and within an age group, children will be grouped in certain events with others of similar ability. Each child will have the opportunity to participate in the Centre’s Merit Award and Achievement program, by earning points for attending the weekly Saturday morning competition and each event they participate in, in addition to earning achievement patches based on their performances (further details in Chapter 5: Awards and Scholarships).
Little Athletics extends beyond our regular weekly Saturday morning competition at Bannockburn Oval. Our athletes have the opportunity to participate in:
• Tiny Tots, U6-17’s: Gala Days and special events throughout NSW.
• A range of Championships for individuals (Zone, Region, State and National), teams (State Relays) and all- round athletes (State Multi Event and National).
The Centre is extremely grateful for the assistance of our supporters including Ku Ring Gai Council. All are listed on our website and in our newsletters. Whenever you have the opportunity try and support the businesses which support our Centre.
If you would like to become a supporter, or know of organisations that may be interested, please contact the President or the Secretary.
OUR PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS
RANGE OF ACTIVITIES
KU-RING-GAI SUPPORTERS
PAGE 2 KU RING GAI LITTLE ATHLETICS CENTRE INFORMATION HANDBOOK – 2023/24 SEASON