Latest News

Northern Metro Region Cross Country Championships - Saturday 27th June 2009 Coburg

Sunbury Cross Country Open Day Sunday 5th July, 2009

Ringwood Little Athletics CC sunday 19th July, 2009

Essendon Little Athletics Centre 2009 State Cross Country Championships
The VLAA State Cross Country Championships will be held at Bundoora Park on Sunday 26th July 2009 starting at 11:00am.

SANDOWN RELAYS Saturday 8 August 2009 • Sandown Raceway, Springvale

Winter Sprint Coaching
E.L.A.C. is now offering “Allocated Sessions” throughout the Winter months
on Mondays at 6pm.

Division One Cross Country Program

Congratulations to Lauren Russo for being picked to represent Victoria in the Australian Little Athletics Championships to be held in Adelaide on Sunday 26th April.

Track & Field 2009 Photos

Medal & Trophy Winners

Points for 2008-2009

Presentation Day Photos 28/03/09

ELAC Position Descriptions

Congratulations to our Under 7 & 8 athletes on winning the Pat Cullen Memorial Trophy on the weekend. Well done to all U9-15 athletes who competed. Progressions to the State Championships should be available next week. Thank you to the parents who officiated over the weekend.

Australia Cup Results:
This event combines a senior team from Athletics Victoria with an U14 team from Victorian Little Athletics in a joint program for points.

The Victorian U14 Little Athletics Team competed successfully up in Brisbane on Saturday in the Australia Cup.

The team successfully defended its trophy from 2008 with the runners up being NSW followed by QLD.  Final points standing were:
VICLA 85
NSWLA 79
QLDLA 75

Matthew Sholakis ran a brilliant 400m in a time of 53.52s in oppressive conditions to defeat our interstate rivals.
Well done Matthew.

Full results can be found here http://www.athletics.com.au/community/events/australia_cup_2009/results
The team of 5 boys and 4 girls each bonded well together and gave each other tremendous support on the day. A great effort by all team members.
On a lighter note team Manager Neville Harris approached joint captains Matthew Sholakis and Zoe McWhinney to accept the trophy on behalf of the team. Matthew was quite chuffed but when Neville told Matthew he had to say a few words he went rather pale.
Luckily Zoe came to Matthew’s aid and offered to say a few words.

Congratulations to Matthew Sholakis, Alric Ellinghaus, Tom Saundry & Joshua Ojamiren for winning the Gold Medal in the 4 x 100m at State Relays at Olympic Park on the 14th December 2008. Well done to all other teams who competed on the day.

ELAC HATS NOW AVAILABLE $10 each or 2 for $16 Available for purchase on competition days from the pavilion.

ELAC December, 2008 Newsletter

ELAC November 2008 Newsletter

Coaching Clinics for new events

Beijing Gold

Congratulations to Christopher Mullins, a former Essendon Little Athlete, on winning GOLD and breaking the World Record in the Mens T35-T38 4x100m Relay at the Paralympics in Beijing. Chris and his teammates ran 44.81 to break the existing World Record of 46.18. Chris competed for Aberfeldie and now runs for Preston Athletics Club.

ELAC Brochure Front
ELAC Brochure Back

Frequently Asked Questions

• When can I join Little Athletics?

The Little Athletics year begins in October and runs through to the following September. You can register at any time during the athletic year providing you are between the age of 5 and 16. Age groups are determined by your age as at October 1st.
A Registration Day will be held, prior to the start of the season, on Saturday 27th September at the Moonee Valley Athletics Track between 9am and 11am. If you miss this day you are still able to register on any competition day.

• How much does it cost?

For the 2008/09 season, Registration Fees (Including Track Levy) are $75 each for the first 2 children in a family and $65 each for every additional child.
Weekly competition fees are $2 or $5 for a family of 3 or more children.
In addition a Team t’shirt must be purchased.

• Which of the four Teams in the Essendon Centre do I join?

Local primary schools in the Essendon area are zoned to one of the 4 Teams. If you do not attend one of these schools you can join any of the Teams. They each have their own uniforms but all athletes train and compete together.

• Where & when does the Little Aths program occur?

The Essendon Centre competes at the Moonee Valley Athletics Track, Corio Street, Moonee Ponds Melways ref: 28 C6
The summer season (Track & Field) runs from October to March, with a short break over the Christmas/New Year holidays. The program runs on Saturday mornings from 8.00am to 12:30pm. There are 2 Friday twilight programs which start at 6:00pm. Each competition day, the children participate in a selection of different events that rotate on a 3 week program.
Cross Country starts in late April and runs through to the end of July and involves 1 long distance run for each age group.

• What events are held?

Events held are dependent on the age of the athletes but include:

• What is expected of parents?

Parents are expected to assist with the operation of Little Aths by carrying out a duty on at least six (6) weeks during the season. Anyone can help in someway either at an event, in the canteen or taking around refreshments or helping on the Team tables. Additionally, any parent wishing to get involved at a Team or Centre level are invited to speak to the current committees. Involvement is encouraged and welcome.

• Can I drop off my child?

NO. A parent/guardian or responsible adult must be in attendance at all times. The Centre & Teams cannot be responsible for athletes left unattended after a program has been completed or if competition has been cancelled during the morning due to inclement weather.

• Does my child have to attend training?

Training occurs on Monday & Wednesday nights. Training is not compulsory for athletes but obviously it gives athletes a chance to develop their skills and to improve their fitness and techniques.

• How are the athlete’s performances monitored?

All Little athlete's performances in all events are recorded during the program. Children receive tickets detailing their performances which can then be put into their achievement book.

• What level of ability do children have to have to join?

The Essendon Centre promotes family, fun and fitness. Little Athletics is for the whole family to enjoy. Children can join with any level of skill or fitness. Children are given plenty of encouragement to achieve personal bests.

• What is available to children with disabilities?

All children are encouraged to join. Disabled or handicapped athletes are integrated with other athletes however compete under modified regulations pertaining to equipment and event technique.

• Can children try Little Aths before joining?

Yes. Children are able to be a “visitor” for 1 week to see if they like Little Aths. They will be placed in their correct age group and able to participate in all events on that day.