You! The People of RBLA

Community & Family

Our history boasts many long-term stalwarts, volunteering long after their children have outgrown the sport. Many athletes have returned with their children as second-generation Little A’s and numerous grandparents have returned with their grandchildren and picked up where they left off.

It is a hard task looking back over 40 plus years hoping to find and do justice to all the achievements, milestones and innovations that have impacted the direction our club has taken in 40 years, and to pay homage to those who have made significant contributions to the Centre. Not just past Centre Managers, Life Members and Committees but to the many families, parents and athletes who have been the essence of our club and truly embraced the Family, Fun and Fitness philosophy of Little Athletics.

We celebrated our Anniversary in January 2020, some 40 years since our Centre’s inception in January 1980.

Parents Roles and Obligations

Every Friday competition night we require the support of volunteers to make it all possible.

RBLA cannot maintain its standard of excellence without a team effort. Weekly competition is run entirely by the parents of the athletes. All parents are therefore required to pitch in to help. Where families consist of more than one child it is hoped that both parents, if in attendance are happy to lend a hand.

If Parents can assist with the following duties:

• Setup
• Sausage Sizzle
• Running Events
• Age Marshall
• Spiking, measuring, raking or retrieving
• Timing
• Recording
• Place Givers
• Canteen
• Pack Up

All help is greatly appreciated and it is what makes it fun for the kids!

This is all for you! We have events, social activities, BBQ’s, awards, Christmas Parties and champions! Every Friday night is competition night for our athletes. On your Marks…

We have codes and competition rules that you must follow to keep up with our commitment to our principals. We strongly advise downloading the Handbook and reading it in it’s entirety to get an understanding of your commitments as an athlete. If you are a Tiny Tot or need some help, parents please let your children know of the rules and obligations of them to ensure we can keep having a fun and safe time for all participants.

Officials – Each age group needs at least five parent helpers to properly run each field event. Only those parents who are helping (officiating) on a field event are permitted on the competition arena.

Coaching – Each Wednesday, free coaching is provided by accredited coaches and volunteers, however extra parental help is always welcomed. If you would like to assist, please make yourself known on training days

Friday night competition is run entirely by the parents of the athletes. Each season it is important that we educate as many parents as possible to become officials. Officials are required to oversee the rules, to ensure fair competition and to show inexperienced parents how an event is run. Becoming an official is not difficult. You may become an official in one or all events. Volunteering on a regular basis allows you to learn the basics of an event and accrue the required practical experience. Once you have acted as chief, spiked, measured, and recorded several times at centre level in a group of event disciplines higher qualifications are then possible which require the applicant to assist at regional and state carnivals.

Runaway Bay Little Athletics Life Members

Janelle Cross 1986
Fay and Terry Larkins 1989
Ruth and Kevin McGuigan 1990
Foloi Wall 2003
Leigh and Gavin Johnston 2006
Karen Clark 2017
Sean Sandford 2023