Guidelines for Participation and Inclusion at the Little Athletics Centre

Guidelines for Participation and Inclusion at the Little Athletics Centre

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Preface

Coles Little Athletics Australia (LAA) is the national governing body for the sport of Little Athletics in Australia. Coles LAA operations are underpinned by our organisational values of fun, fitness and family to be your best. 

Coles LAA aims to provide high quality and accessible opportunities through the sport of athletics to all children to improve health, confidence and skills. Little Athletics is fun and provides connection to the athletes’ community.  

These participation and inclusion guidelines provide direction to ensure athletes with disability can meaningfully participate in athletics through fair competition against peers. 

At the Centre level we provide the best experience for athletes when we actively find ways for all athletes to participate and be included. 

Centre Level Participation

  1. Athletes with disability can access all events at a Little Athletics Centre without requiring classification.
  2. Athletes with disability can compete in events against their peers.
  3. Athletes with disability can compete in the same number of events as their peers.
  4. Modification to the event can occur so that the athlete can participate. Consider the requirements for the event, the child’s functional abilities and safety.
  5. Use the TREE framework to guide your thinking for inclusion.
    T – Teaching/coaching style– How the volunteer, parent or coach organises the events, encourages skill development and communicates information to athletes.
    R – Rules and regulations can be modified at the Centre.
    E – Environment– changes you can make to the physical space.
    E – Equipment– modify athletics equipment or use disability related Assistive Technology. 
  1. Parents know their child best and are therefore a great source of information about the athlete’s functional abilities and modifications required.
    • Parents can assist the athlete to participate by being on the track and field. 
  2. Some disabilities are “hidden” and as such may not be visually obvious. It is important to listen to the information shared by the athlete and their family to understand what support may be needed.
  3. If you have a group of children with disability at the Centre, you may consider offering them the opportunity to compete against each other (similar to the Multi-Class system but without classification) as long as the following are met;
    • This is preferred by the athlete/s.
    • It provides the athlete/s with a more fun and a more competitive experience.
    • The events run parallel to the peer events, at the same venue and during the same session.
    • The same number of events are offered.
    • The events may run across age groups but still need to meet the important social aspect to Little Athletics. Consider athletes competing in groups of similar age or social level.
    • The TREE framework still applies. Consider what modifications might need to be made to your teaching/coaching style, rules and regulations, environment and equipment.  
  4. All athletes are encouraged to participate in Little Athletics for fun and for competition. All efforts are made to enhance these experiences and opportunities. 
  5. Your Centre may want to do a Disability Inclusion Action Plan. 

Competition Pathways Beyond Centre Level

  1. Should an athlete with disability wish to compete beyond Centre level, different rules may apply. The Centre can advise the athlete and their parents of the competition pathway including the process for classification or refer to the Member Association for more information.
    • The classification pathway is a formal process which usually requires involvement from the athletes’ medical and/or allied health team.
    • The classification pathway is under continuous review, and if the athlete or parent finds they are unable to be classified, they can contact Coles LAA national team for support and consideration.
    • Not all disability types or severity are recognised in the formal classification pathway in athletics. This means it is vital that modifications are made at the Centre level to enhance the participation and inclusion experience for all children in athletics.