New Members

Hello! 👋

On this page you'll find all the basic information you need on how your little ones can get started with Eltham Lighnting Little Athletics Club. We're exicited to have you with us!

Introduction

  • Each week, children compete in their age groups and gender and will do 4-5 events each meet. There will be a throwing (shot put, discus, javelin), jumping (long, triple, high jump), hurdles, and a range of running events.
  • With each event, athletes earn points that contribute to end of season rankings. However, we also recognise individual efforts by counting the number of Personal Bests each athlete achieves throughout the season!
  • The youngest competition age group is 8 year olds. However, younger athletes (6 and 7 year olds) can join the "On Trackers" program and join the fun at the same time and venue.
  • The Eltham Lightning athletics club is part of the Diamond Valley Little Athletics Centre (DVLAC), which run competitions and training at Willinda Park Athletics Track in Greensborough.

Registration

  • Come along to the open registration day on Saturday 6th September and find us at the Eltham Lightning tent. The event runs from 10am to 12pm and kids are welcome to try out all the different events for fun.
  • All new members are eligible for a free 2-week trial.
  • Age group is by year of birth. Eg. if age 9 on 31st December, then the athlete enters Under 10’s.
  • Registration fees cover entry to both the Summer track-and-field season and Winter cross-country season. It also includes a free Eltham Lightning competition singlet.
  • Fees for 2025/26:
    • U6-7: $240
    • U8: $260
    • U9-17: $265
    • Discounts are available if registering 3 or more children
    • Eligible families can receive up to $200 to cover costs via the Get Active Kids Voucher Program.
  • Registration can be done in-person on registration day, or online via Little Atheletics Victoria (LAVIC) website.
    • Online registration will open late August.

Summer Season

  • Competitions run most Saturdays from 8:30am (or 8am start for long-distance events) and generally finish between 10:30am and 11:30am.
  • The season opens on 6th September with a fun Registration Day.
  • Official competition starts on 13th September and finishes in March.
  • Competitions are held at the Willinda Park Athletics Track in Greensborough, and run by the Diamond Valley Little Athletics Centre (DVLAC).
  • There are no competitions for two weeks over Christmas and New Years.
  • "Twilight" round: For one week, competition will run on Friday night instead of Saturday morning. This will be on Friday 31st October.

Winter Season

  • Registration includes entry into the cross-country winter season.
  • Winter season will run from April to July 2026.
  • The location rotates each week between several northern districts.
  • More information on 2026 winter season will become available closer to the season start.

Training

  • Training is run on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5pm to 6pm at Willinda Park.
  • Kids of all ages from all clubs are welcome to join.
  • It is not compulsory - kids may come to both, one, or no training sessions.
  • "On trackers" training is on Mondays from 4:30pm.

Uniform

  • We provide a free Eltham Lightning singlet once registration is paid.
  • Athletes can wear any plain black shorts. For safety reasons, shorts must not have open pockets. Brand logos may need to be covered to enter higher competition levels.
  • Athletes can wear any runners/jogging shoes. Younger athletes may like to wear 'waffles'. Spikes are not permitted for younger age groups.
  • Athletes must wear their personal athlete registration card on their chest during events.

Volunteering

  • Each week we rely on wonderful volunteers to help run athletic events. 
  • Eltham is responsible for providing volunteers to help with Shotput, Long Jump and Triple Jump.
  • We ask all parents to please participate. This might be as simple as raking the sand in the jump pit, measuring a jump or throw, returning implements after throws or writing down the results. There will be plenty of people to guide you on how to do each task.
  • A call out will be done each week asking parents to signup to an event. We generally ask parents to help with one event every 2 weeks. There is an online form to signup that will be sent out each week (via Signup Genius).

'On Trackers'

  • Under 6 (U6) and Under 7 (U7) athletes participate in the weekly ‘On Track’ program. This program is specifically designed for younger children with a focus on skill development and having fun.
  • The U6 session is between 10am-11am; the U7 session is between 9am–10am.
  • 'On Track' events take place in the center of the field at Willinda Park, at the same time as older age groups are competing around the track.
  • There are two Diamond Valley officials who run the program. Parents are able to enter the field with U6 and start of U7 season. As the season goes on they try to discourage parents being in centre field unless they're a listed parent volunteer.
  • Training for 'On Trackers' is Monday from 4:30pm to 5:30pm, at Willinda Park. Athletes from all Diamond Valley clubs train together.
  • There is no obligation to compete or train each week.
  • Registration fees for On Trackers is $240, and includes Summer and Winter (cross-country) season. Your child's age group is determined by their age on 31st December. If aged 5 on this day, they will be in Under 6.

Special needs

  • If your child has a Physical Impairment, Intellectual Impairment, Vision Impairment, Hearing Impairment or is a Transplant Recipient, please email our Inclusion Officer at inclusion@dvlac.com.au with your child's name, parent name and phone number.
  • The inclusion officer will contact you to discuss how we can best adapt events for your child to ensure your little athlete has the best experience possible each meet.
  • We will be implementing a method of identification on the athlete’s name patch to alert key volunteers at each event to the need for assistance. Be assured that this will not be obvious to other children.

More information