For Parents & Spectators

• Little Athletics is a family sport. The contribution of athletes and parents is equally important.
• Our focus is on improving individual performance and not on determining winners and losers. Honest efforts are more important than victory.
• Encourage children to participate if they are interested, if not do not force them. Encourage them to try again next time.
• If your child is having difficulty with some aspect of Little Athletics talk to a committee member or another parent. Athletes can quickly lose interest if problems are not resolved immediately.
• Recognize the value and importance of volunteer coaches & officials. They give their time and resources to provide enjoyment for the children and deserve your support.
• Guard against projecting your aspirations onto your child. Children have different abilities and will develop at different rates as the years go by.
• The best way to maximize your children’s performance is to ensure they learn the correct skills, ensure they enjoy what they are doing and, most importantly ensure they receive plenty of encouragement and support.
• Be a good role model for sports behaviour. Be courteous to athletes, officials and other spectators.
• Children compete for enjoyment. Discourage the “win at all cost” mentality.
• Make any new parents welcome on all occasions.
• Do not abuse any child, particularly your own.
• Reward the performances of all athletes with generous praise and applause.
• Never ridicule or yell at a child for making mistakes or losing a competition.
• Do not use bad language.
• Condemn unsporting behaviour and promote respect for all opponents.
• Parents are discouraged from judging/measuring performances of their own child.

For Athletes

• Play by the rules and compete for enjoyment.
• Be a good sport. Applaud all good results whether they are by your Centre, opponent or another Centre.
• Never argue with an official. If you disagree, ask your age group manager to deal with the matter.
• Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials or other athletes, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent is not acceptable or permitted in our sport. Do not use bad language.
• Treat all opponents the way you would like to be treated. Do not interfere, bully or take unfair advantage of another athlete.
• Cooperate with all officials and other participants. Without them there would be no competition.
• Control your behaviour on and off the track

At Albury Little Athletics we are always trying to improve the way we do things. The committee welcomes positive suggestions from parents and athletes that will make the season more enjoyable for all.