Springvale Little Athletics Centre is a totally voluntary organisation, the Centre cannot operate without the assistance of parents each week in fulfilling the many and varied duties required. These include officiating at an event; managing an age group; recording results; working in the canteen; to name just a few. Additional assistance is always required on the Centre committees and all parents are encouraged to become involved. Little Athletics is one of the few sports where parents can become fully involved in their child's sporting interests. Any parents who have current Working With Children Cards can they please provide a copy to the Office or in turn you can apply here as a volunteer through Springvale. https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au

Parents Charter

As a parent or guardian of a child/ren registered to participate at Springvale Little Athletics Centre, I recognise, accept and commit to the following:

My child is always my responsibility.

When my child is at Little Athletics I am responsible for the care of my child/ren in regards to their behaviour, welfare and making decisions about their treatment in the event of an injury.

  • I will ensure that at all times either

  • I will personally be in attendance, or

  • I have appointed a responsible adult to act on my behalf in caring for my child/ren.

Little Athletics is a co-operative venture

I accept that the adult responsible for the care of my child/ren on competition days need to make a personal contribution to the smooth and efficient running of the program by assisting with a duty.

  • I agree to volunteer for duty as required at the “normal” weekly competition programs.

  • I agree to perform duties as required by the Centre Team Managers at Regional and/or State events in which my child/ren are entered.

It is compulsory to wear your patch each week

If you happen to forget or lose this patch please come see us in the office immediately on arrival. A brand-new replacement patch will cost $5 or a temporary patch (if you forgot) will be a gold coin donation, these payments will be donated to the Royal Children Hospital Good Friday appeal.

General expectations

Springvale Little Athletics Centre provides an environment of enjoyment and good sportsmanship for athletes and their families. It is expected that athletes and/or families will abide by the following in order to maintain that positive environment.

  • Use appropriate language (no swearing)

  • Respect the rules and the Officials decisions

  • Positively encourage children’s “efforts” rather than “results”

  • Avoid “forcing” a child to something they really don’t want to do

  • Support your own and other children with an appropriate level of barracking

  • Treat others in the way that you wish to be treated

Refund policy

I also understand that the Springvale LAC portion of the registration fee will only be refunded under extraordinary circumstances after approval by the Executive Committee. Requests must be made in writing to the Secretary.

Ordinary Membership

As a condition of registration, I agree that the parent/guardians listed in the registration profiles agree to be an ordinary member of Springvale Little Athletics Centre.

Trophy Eligibility

To be eligible to receive a trophy, an athlete must compete in at least 65% of their available competition nights.

Springvale Parental Duties

Finish Line Marshal
With the guidance of the finish line computer officer, assist in the coordination of track results by coordinating athletes, timekeeping and general assistance. Required from 6pm until all track events are completed.

Age Group Marshal
Marshall the age group between events and guide the athletes on the basics of each event. With the guidance of key officials and theArena Manager. Provide assistance in the operations of jumps and field events (measuring, raking or recording, etc) and ensure orderly completion of track events. Make sure that every child is picked up by a parent after completion of competition.

Equipment Setup
This duty involves the setting up of athletic equipment prior to the commencement of the program.  Parents assisting with setup duty are required at the Ross Reserve from 4:30 pm.

Equipment Packup
This duty involves the packing up of athletic equipment after it is no longer required for the Friday program. 

Starter
Training will be provided, however if you choose this duty you will be encouraged to do the 1 day starters course, cost reimbursed by the centre. 5:45 pm - until all track events are complete.

Canteen / BBQ
Under the direction of the Canteen Manager this includes preparation and sales of canteen items including BBQ setup, cooking and cleanup.



Code of Conduct

Little Athletics Victoria expects all members to comply with the Code of Conduct. Appropriate action
may be taken in the case of any breaches of the Code of Conduct.

Little Athletics Victoria will ensure that all athletes, coaches, spectators, parents, officials and
administrators are not prone to sexual abuse, neglect, physical abuse or emotional abuse. They will
ensure that all persons are included, protected and not discriminated against in any manner.

Little Athletics Victoria is registered as an Incorporated Association as protection for its Centers, Committees and Members. Please refer to LAVic site for the full Code of Conduct.

Little Athletes

1. Play by the Rules.

2. Never argue with an Official. If you disagree, ask your Age Marshall or the Team. Manager to deal with the matter.

3. Control your temper. Verbal abuse of Officials or other athletes, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent is not acceptable or permitted in our sport.

4. Work equally hard for yourself and your Centre. Your Centre’s performance will benefit.

5. Be a good sport. Applaud all results whether they are by your Centre, opponent or the other Centres.

6. Treat all athletes as you would like to be treated. Do not interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of another athlete.

7. Co-operate with Officials, Coaches, Centre mates and other participants. Without them there would be no competition.

8. Participate in Little Athletics for yourself and not just to please parents and/or Coaches.

9. No use of bad language.

10. Always have FUN!

No Smoking or Drinking Alcohol Policy

Little Athletics understands the harmful effects of smoking and the use of alcohol on health, fitness and performance in sport, and as a result has adopted the following Code of Behaviour.

  • Participants / Little Athletes are prohibited from smoking during competition, training, warm-ups and warm downs.

  • Coaches and Officials are reminded of their responsibilities as “role models” particularly with juniors, and are asked to refrain from smoking whilst associated with our sport.

  • All premises are “Smoke Free Zones” – smoking is permitted only outside the black fence.

  • Visiting Participants, Coaches and Officials are asked to respect our Code of Behaviour.

  • Spectators are reminded that smoking and drinking alcohol are inappropriate behaviours in the Little Athletics environment and are asked to respect our Code of Behaviour.

Safety Policy

The Safety Policy required all members, in particular, officials and parents, be constantly aware of the need to maintain a high standard of safety to the Little Athlete by looking for any potential hazards and risks.

Any potential safety risks should be brought to the attention of the Arena Manager immediately.

Extreme Weather Policy

The policy is designed to protect people from injury and illness that may result by participating in athletics events in extreme weather conditions. The policy recognises that all athletes can be at risk although children can be at greater risk in some instances, especially heat stress.

Competition and event organisers have a duty of care to athletes, officials and other participants, which may include regularly monitoring environmental and playing conditions and to take action to minimise the risk of heat stress or threat of illness or injury to athletes, officials and other participants.

In extreme weather conditions officials and administrators in charge of Little Athletics events may decide to modify the schedule of relevant disciplines to protect athletes, officials and other participants from exposure to the elements or physical stress. There are also a number of other pro-active and preventative measures that can be taken. As Event Director for all official LAVic events, the CEO of LAVic has the authority to direct the postponement or cancellation of such events if conditions pose an unacceptable risk to the health and safety of participants, officials or spectators.

For full detail of this policy please refer to the LAVic website.

Privacy Statement

Springvale Little Athletics Centre Inc. believes in your right to Privacy. As an Athletics Centre we produce a handbook, newsletters and maintain a website and Facebook page in order to provide all athletes and their families with ongoing information, that is both informative and interesting. The Springvale LAC website, Facebook page and Team App have been created for the sole purpose of providing information relevant to the running of the Centre and the achievements of the athletes for the athletes, friends and families.

As such, Springvale LAC maintains a computer database of the family and athlete information, in accordance with the LAVic regulations. This database is used for mail outs as and when required. Under no circumstances is the information distributed or sold for commercial use. All your personal information that is stored in our computer system is available to you if you ask. Names: We list athletes on the website and Facebook by first name and last name initial where associated with a photo. Full names will be used in the hand book. Photos: As per the signed Parent Declaration on the Season Registration Form parents have consented, unless otherwise advising in writing to LAVic and the Centre, to the use of my/our child/children’s details including name, and also image and likeness, before, during or after the season for promotional, broadcasting or reporting purpose in any media. Photos may be included on the website, on the Facebook page, in the handbook or in the newsletter to show athletes competing, from Friday night competition through to Region and State events.

Little Athletics Policies

Apart from the above Policies and Codes we also follow the Policies and codes that have been set by LAVic and LAA, please refer to: