State Relay Championships


One of the most fun and enjoyable events of the season, the State Relay Championships gives athletes the chance to join forces with their clubmates and take on a variety of track and field relays. It’s all about team spirit and community, and parents are also invited to join in the fun!

Plympton Flyers State Relay Championships Policy

It is essential to acknowledge that all parents assisting in the running of, and selection of relay teams are volunteering their time and experience to deliver a great experience for all our athletes.

Aim

To provide all athletes the opportunity to represent Plympton Flyers Little Athletics Club (PLAC) in a team based track & field competition. To enjoy their involvement and achieve competitive results.

Eligibility

All U8-U17 PLAC registered athletes are eligible to compete.

Events

The Championships include the following events:

  • Shuttle relay (4x70m): U8
  • 4 x 100m relay: U9–U17
  • 4 x 200m relay: U9–U17
  • Swedish relay (1x100m, 1x300m, 1x200m & 1x400m): U9–U17 (mixed)
  • Field Event relay: (High Jump, Long Jump, Shot Put, Discus) U9–U17
  • 4x100m Mums relay
  • 4x100m Dads relay
Rules

Relay competitions are conducted under the rules as set out by Little Athletics SA (SALAA), details of which are contained in the SALAA Competition Rules(LR7).

Team Composition

An athlete may compete in a maximum of 3 events comprising:

  • Two track events and one field event; or
  • One track event and two field events

The field relay team may consist of a maximum of four athletes (one athlete per event) and a minimum of two athletes (two events per athlete)

Each age group may enter up to three track teams and one field team. Typically, the four fastest athletes form the A team, provided there are enough competitors; the next four fastest make up the B team, and the following four compose the C team.

Relay Selection

Selection of relay teams is a challenging task. Parents will first be advised by email their child athlete has been selected to represent Plympton at the State Relay Championships and to confirm their availability.

By accepting selection, parents are agreeing to make their athlete available for relay day and the minimum required scheduled training sessions.

Athlete team selection will then be decided by the relay selection committee, with input from Age Group Chaperones and Coaches. The decision of the selection committee is final.

Factors taken into consideration for relay selection:

  • The Athlete must be a fully paid member of Plympton Little Athletics
  • Athlete’s history of performance at Plympton Little Athletics in previous State relay competitions
  • Athlete’s season personal best and season average in the following track events: 70m, 100m, 200m, 400m
  • Athlete’s season personal best and season average in the following field events: High Jump, Long Jump, Shot Put, Discus
  • Athlete’s relay skills, including baton passing and receiving
  • Athletes who compete weekly and attend training
  • Athlete’s attendance at relay training sessions, including general relay training and running order training
  • Athlete’s attitude and training performance

 

Roles and Responsibilities

Team Manager

Each relay team must have a Team Manager.

The Team Manager’s responsibilities will include serving as the primary contact for the teams they manage, should any team changes occur leading up to Relay Day.

Team Managers will also be responsible for communicating with the Relay Day Coordinator should any changes occur in their team.

On competition day, the Team Manager escorts the team(s) to the marshalling area 30 minutes prior to the race start.

Parents and Athletes

By agreeing to selection, parents are agreeing to make their athlete available for relay day and the minimum required scheduled training sessions.

If an athlete would like to compete but cannot attend training, they can still be involved, but may not be prioritised for an A team.

Late withdrawals can affect the entire relay team and may mean other athletes miss out on the opportunity to compete.

Athletes must adhere to Plympton Flyers’ uniform policy on the day of the State Championship. Not wearing the full correct uniform disqualifies the whole team.