State & Region Relays

Here, we provide you with all the essential information you need to know about this exciting event for young athletes aged U9 and up

Event Details:

Region Relay Championships: This thrilling competition serves as a stepping stone for our athletes. It’s their chance to shine and potentially earn a spot for the State Relay Championships.

State Relay Championships: Teams who progress from Region, will have the privilege to compete in the State Relay Championships

Key Dates to Remember:

Saturday, 18th November 2023: Gippsland Relay Carnival (Venue: To Be Announced)
Saturday, 16th December 2023: LAVIC State Relay Championships (Venue: Lakeside Stadium)

Relay Events:

Athletes will be organized into teams of four runners, and each athlete can participate in a maximum of four events, including:

4 x 100m Relay (Boys, Girls & Mixed)
4 x 200m Relay (Boys, Girls & Mixed)
Swedish Medley Relay: 100m, 300m, 200m, 400m (Boys, Girls)

Athletes can join either single-sex teams or mixed-sex teams, comprising two girls and two boys. Our goal is to involve as many athletes as possible, with most athletes running in at least three events (and some in all four).

Training:

Participation in relay training is mandatory for all registered children. We encourage parents to facilitate team training sessions once the teams are announced. Training dates and times leading up to the Gippsland Relay Carnival will be provided soon.

Additional training sessions will be scheduled as we prepare for the State Relay Championships. If you have a passion for coaching and want to contribute, don’t hesitate to reach out to us via email. No prior relay experience is required; you can follow the guidance of experienced coaches and parent helpers.

Uniform:

Athletes are required to wear the official Berwick Little Athletics Uniform, which is available for purchase at the pavilion.

Registration:

To register for this exciting event, please visit the following link:

The entry fee is $?? per athlete, plus processing fee.

Berwick Relay team selection policy

Berwick LAC’s vision is to be the most family friendly, inclusive and encouraging sporting club in Victoria, allowing all children to reach their potential in athletics.

With this in mind, the club has developed the following policy which combines the objective of allowing athletes to reach their potential and encouraging participation and inclusiveness. Berwick LAC encourages all athletes to participate in relay events, regardless of ability. As selections are subjective, this policy aims to provide a guide which the panel will use to make the final decision.

Track & Field Relays

Berwick LAC will choose athletes based on the fastest available athletes in each age group at the end of week 4 of competition day (or week 5 in some seasons dependant on competition dates). Times must have been recorded at a scheduled Berwick LAC competition day.

Each age group will have ‘A’ teams which consist of 16 events i.e. 8 x 100m, 7 x 200m and 1 x 400m These are split into 5 teams of 4 x 100, 4 x 200, 4 x 100 mixed, 4 x 200 mixed and medley). The fastest two 100m runners & the fastest two 200m will be guaranteed 3 events in ‘A’ teams where possible. The fastest runner in 400m will take the medley 400m run. It is noted that the fastest runners in one distance may also be the fastest runners in other distances.

The remaining positions in ‘A’ teams will be filled by the next fastest runners available, however where the difference between athletes season pb times is considered low by the selection panel, positions will be shared to give more athletes opportunities to compete at State level. An athlete who is in the top 4 in 100m race times or top 4 in 200m race times will generally be in 2 ‘A’ teams.

The remaining teams will be filled with the following objectives (in priority order);

All athletes race in a minimum of three races
Berwick will get as many teams to State Relays as possible
Berwick have teams in all events
Athletes who consistently attend training get priority over those who have not attended.
Athletes who don’t have three races will/may be offered to Region for Region Teams subject to availability/rules

Note: athletes may need to run outside their age group to meet objectives 1, 2 and 3. Athletics Victoria allow the following;

U9-12 Can go up only 1 Age Group

U13-15 Can go up more than 1 Age Group

U8 – Can Not be promoted to U9

Athletes in teams that are considered to have potential to medal at State Relay Championships by the Selection panel are expected to attend a minimum of 3 training sessions (either club training sessions or sessions organised within the age group). Failure to attend the minimum training sessions may result in the Relay selection panel substituting another athlete (in consultation with the age group manager).

Athletes who enter will be deemed fit to run unless the parent advises the child is injured and withdraws. If an athlete withdraws prior to Region Relay race day, a replacement athlete will be sourced. Teams in the age group may be changed as a result. Where a replacement cannot be found, the team that had the athlete withdraw will be scratched, even if they are the ‘A’ team.

Teams will not change between Region Relays and State Relays unless agreed in advance with the relay manager, age group manager and both parents. Where an athlete withdraws after Region event, the selection panel will choose a suitable replacement at their discretion.

Parents must also agree to complete a parent duty if they are rostered to one at either Region or State relays. There may be occasions where some parents have duties at both events.

Process

A relay selection panel from the Berwick LAC committee will consist of 4 to 6 members. A minimum of one Executive member of the Committee will be a member. The panel will select teams based on the entrants and times available. Athletes who have not registered and paid by the final cut off date, risk missing out on competing in relay events. The selection panel may not select teams that involve their own child to avoid conflicts of interest.

Once teams are announced, running orders will be determined by the age-group manager (taking into consideration the strengths of each athlete).