In the last three years across Australia, State and Territory Member Associations of Australian Athletics (AA) and Little Athletics Australia (LAA) have evolved under a range of governance and operational models, reflecting differing historical, operational, and strategic contexts. These models include full unification into a single entity (Athletics West, Capital Athletics), partnership arrangements (NSW), selective alignment across specific functions (Tas), and independent operations with minimal formal integration. This has created momentum for national unification. Further, the AA and LAA Boards have a shared vision to see the sport grow and succeed particularly with Brisbane 2032 on the horizon and a renewed interest in athletics. The work undertaken to align the National Championships in 2026 provided a practical example of what can be achieved by working together.
The Company of Little Athletics Australia and the LAA Board will continue to provide governance oversight of the transition throughout the implementation phase, working with Member Associations until the implementation has been successfully completed.
Within six months of the implementation of unification, a Little Athletics Trust will be established to hold any residual funds of LAA. Trustees will be appointed by LAA in consultation with AA with funds made available for future growth of Little Athletics
Little Athletics has a long and proud history as grassroots, volunteer-led foundation for sport in Australia, built on the belief that every child should be encouraged to Be Your Best. With a strong emphasis on Family, Fun, and Fitness, Little Athletics Centres and Clubs across the country have fostered inclusive participation, lifelong skills, and strong community connections for generations. This will not change. The programs delivered by Little Athletics Centres and Clubs will continue to build on the established strengths and values of Little Athletics. Under unification, Little Athletics will continue, via its centres and clubs, to deliver high quality athletics programs to children around Australia, and will continue to be known, promoted, and marketed nationally as Little Athletics.
There will be no changes to rules and specifications for the 2025/26 competition season beyond what has already been announced for the aligned national championships in Brisbane in April 2026 (i.e. the Junior Nationals and ALAC). Opportunities to refine and align rules and specifications will be explored in the future to improve transition across ages and experience. These will be guided by World Athletics’ technical specifications and rules as well as what is appropriate to continue to modify for younger children participating in the sport.
The most important change is the alignment of Junior Nationals and ALAC in April. These events are in the same place and run next to each other to allow greater opportunities to compete in both events and improve accessibility for families by avoiding having two competitions in different cities. Many States/Territories have (or are exploring) joint events and competition opportunities, and we are confident that unification will increase these opportunities into the future.
Yes. ALAC will remain as a key teams-based national competition. From 2026 ALAC will be aligned with the Australian Junior Championships which are being held in Brisbane.
Coles, as the key national partner of Little Athletics, will continue in its role as the Little Athletics National Naming Partner following unification. All current Coles-supported programs and initiatives will remain in place, including, but not limited to: Coles Banana Donations, Coles Little Athletics Tiny Tots (where offered), the Coles Little Athletics Community Fund, Coles Community Round, the Coles Australian Little Athletics Championships, the Coles Little Athletics Hall of Fame, and the Coles Centre of the Year Program.
No amendments are required to the Constitutions of AA or LAA as part of the unification process, nor are any changes required to the Constitutions of State and Territory Member Associations or their affiliated Centres and Clubs.
Under unification, AA will become the single national body for athletics in Australia recognised by World Athletics, the Australian Sports Commission, the Australian Olympic Committee, Paralympics Australia, Commonwealth Games Australia and Sport Integrity Australia. AA’s Constitution will continue to apply. AA will be responsible for strategic oversight of Little Athletics and ensuring the continued growth of this successful and much cherished athletics movement and program.
LA Member Associations of LAA that were not previously affiliated with AA will become Associate Members of AA. A Little Athletics’ experienced Director will join the AA Board, and the State/Territory Members will be represented in key forums, committees and programs.
There is no change to the way Centres and Clubs affiliate with their respective State and Territory Member Associations. Similarly, there are no changes to State and Territory Member Association structures, staffing, or the services currently provided to Centres and Clubs.
Upon unification LAA staff will be offered the opportunity to transfer to be employees of AA. In these roles they will continue the work of supporting Member Associations, Centres and Clubs to grow and advance Little Athletics. The CEO of LAA will remain an employee of LAA for a 12-month transition period. During this time, the LAA CEO will continue to work closely with the AA CEO and State and Territory Member Associations to support the implementation of unification and to identify and maximise the opportunities that unification presents.
Unification will see the sport grow and thrive in all parts of its operations. One major benefit of the unification will be improved integration and more seamless pathways that will attract and retain people in the sport and enable them to participate in ways that appeal to them. Higher participation will contribute to a greater pool of athletes that may go on to succeed in high performance, but the focus of unification is on bringing the sport together as one. Athletics will remain steadfastly focused on providing its participants, officials and volunteers a chance to be their best as part of a joined-up sport.
State/Territory Member Associations have unanimously supported this national unification. Each of these organisations is a separate independent body, so any decisions on state level unification is a matter for them. Similar unifications are not mandated or required within States, although AA and LAA would be supportive of such progress were it to occur.
Membership fees are applied by State and Territory Member Associations. Any existing national registration charges will remain the same, other than for CPI increases which occur from time to time. Several States have made excellent progress on providing greater streamlining of registration fees across Little Athletics and State Junior Athletics – for example in NSW under its partnership model.
LAA and AA have already taken significant steps to strengthen athlete pathways through increased collaboration. Building on this momentum, both organisations have been working closely to explore broader opportunities to strengthen and future-proof athletics in Australia. Following unification, a number of joint working groups will be established, drawing on the collective knowledge and experience across AA and LAA. These groups will focus on identifying and developing improved outcomes for athletes, with a particular emphasis on attracting, retaining, and supporting greater numbers of participants and volunteers across all levels of the sport.
Work will continue to explore greater alignment of age groups and specifications, building on progress already achieved at a national level through the aligned National Championships in April 2026, and on developments that have occurred to varying degrees across State and Territory Member Associations of both AA and LAA.
Little Athletics Australia Life Members and Hall of Fame Members will continue to be recognised as Little Athletics Life Members and Little Athletics Hall of Fame Members following unification. Members of the Little Athletics community will continue to be acknowledged and celebrated through existing and future recognition pathways, including Life Membership, Merit Awards, the Hall of Fame, and any other relevant awards categories established from time to time. All Little Athletics Australia records will continue to be formally recognised and maintained as Little Athletics records, preserving the history, achievements, and legacy of Little Athletics athletes.
LAA and AA have reached an agreement-in-principle to unify and deliver the sport under a single national body. AA and LAA will now work through final details over the coming weeks with a shared ambition to finalise the structure and implementation plans and to provide a further update by mid-February 2026.
