THE GAP Little Athletics Achievements and awards
One of the main aims of the Little Athletics movement it to improve the individual athletic performance of the young members. All cannot be champions but it is the spirit with which they compete and improve personal achievement that is most important.
Ticket Books
Following each event, all little athletes receive a performance ticket that should be fixed into the ticket book received at registration. The performance summary sheet that, as it is filled in during the season, will demonstrate the improvements achieved in each individual event.
Individual Achievement Awards QLAA/McDonald’s Point System
This card received at registration shows three different levels of achievement (boys and girls for different age groups) as green, red and blue – green the easier, up to blue for a high standard of achievement. As each child attains the performance level in his/her age category, colour the appropriate spot on the card. The aim is to attain a full range of green, red and blue stickers on each card by season's end. As these levels are achieved the athlete should update their card.
The Blue sheet is for Boys and the pink sheet is for Girls.
The system works as follows:
Highlight the age group scores. For example for U 10 Girls
To achieve a green level , the girls must run 70 m in 13.9 sec; a red level is 12.9 sec and Blue is 11.9 sec or better. When the athlete has reached this level, then they colour in the appropriate circle on the front of the sheet
So, say the 10 year old got a score of 13.5 sec on the 70 m sprint, then they would colour in the green circle in green pencil.
To receive a group award, the competitor must score a green in each group, so in this example they must get 21sec in 100 m and 43.5 sec in the 200m
The scorecard is then taken to the registrar for verification (this may take a couple of weeks). The athlete is then awarded a McDonald’s achievement award.
Those children who are not able to achieve a green award should be marked on attendance. It is up to the Age Marshalls to deem that attendance has been regular and the child has put in their best effort.
Laurie Baartz Memorial Trophy
This is a statewide award that is awarded to the athlete who makes the most consistent improvement throughout the season regardless of outright ability. Assessment for this award is based on points awarded at the prior nominated centre meetings throughout the season for different groups of events. The event groups are:
1. Sprints and hurdles
2. Walks and middle distance
3. Jump events
4. Throwing events
The 200m is regarded as a distance event for U7 and U8 age groups.
Each time an athlete improves his or her performance in at least one event in each group at one of the nominated meetings they earn one (1) point. So at any single nominated meeting, a maximum of four (4) points may be earned. Thus a possible total of 40 points can be attained by the end of the season.
The Gap boy or girl athlete who attains the highest number of points in the season will have their name submitted to the QLAA and become a finalist in the State competition. The state winner will be awarded the Laurie Baartz Memorial Trophy at the State Championships.
Age Champion Awards
The girl and boy in each age group who achieves the highest number of points over the whole season will be awarded the Age Champion trophies for the Centre. Points are awarded to each child for active attendance, each event that they participate in, their personal best results and the number of McDonald’s levels that the athlete achieves - be it green, red or blue, and attendance at Regional Carnival days. By adding up, these points the child that attends every week and participates in each event may be the one who is awarded the trophy, not the child who wins every race but only attends every second week. These trophies will be presented at the break up and awards presentations.
Age Improvement Awards
In addition to the above, the boy and girl athletes in each age group who achieve the most personal bests over the whole season will be awarded the most improved award at the break up and awards presentations.
Centre Medals
All children who have been with The Gap Centre during the season will receive a medal in recognition of their achievement for the season. These medals will be presented at the break up and awards presentations.
Other Awards
Obviously our more talented athletes can aspire to achieving various performance awards available throughout the season at the different QLAA competitions. The committee will also be examining other possible awards for the season aimed predominantly at encouraging personal achievement – these will be noted from time to time in the newsletter.
Awards Presentations
The awards are presented at the break-up event, which this season is Saturday 16th APRIL 2011 from 3 – 5 pm. The event is fun and we run the “Gap Gift”, a handicap race for the Seniors.
BREAK UP AND AWARDS PRESENTATION
is 16th APRIL 2011 from 3 – 5 pm