The Region Relay Championships are held in February for U9-u12 only, where teams have the opportunity to qualify or be progressed into the State Relay Championships in March. U13-U16 will compete directly in State Championships without any qualification required.

Relay registrations are now open for athletes aged u9-u16. If you think your child may be interested, please check the dates below prior to registering;

Regional Relays

• Sun 28th Feb - Gippsland Relay Championships (U9-12 Only) – Edwin Flack Reserve

State Relays

• Saturday 27th March - LAVIC State Relay Championships - (U9-12 Only) – Casey Fields
• Sunday 28th March - LAVIC State Relay Championships – (U13-16 Only) – Casey Fields.

Relay Events:

Athletes will be placed in teams of 4 runners. Athletes can compete in up to a maximum of 4 events:

•              4 x 100m (Boys, Girls & Mixed)
•              4 x 200m (Boys, Girls & Mixed)
•              Medley 100m, 300m, 200m, 400m (Boys, Girls)

Athletes can compete in single sex teams or mixed sex teams. A mixed sex team is made up of 2 girls and 2 boys. We are keen to have as many athletes run as possible and will do our best to ensure everyone runs in at least three events (some athletes will run in four events).

Training

All children who enter the relays are expected to attend relay training. There will be group training, once teams are announced, parents are encouraged to get athletes to train together as a team where possible. Training dates and times are listed below leading up to the GCR event are listed below;

•              U9 - U12 Sunday 17th January 9am
•              U9 - U12 Tuesday 26th January 5pm
•              U9 - U16 Sunday 31st January 9am
•              U9 - U16 Sunday 7th February
•              U9 - U16 Sunday 21st February

Further training will be scheduled in March leading up to State Relay Championships.

If you are interested in helping with the coaching, please send us an email – you don’t need to know anything about relays, just follow the lead of other coaches and parent helpers.

Uniform

Berwick Little Athletics Uniform is to be worn. This uniform can be purchased from the pavilion.

Entry

Entry fee is $10 per athlete plus Eventbrite processing fee, to register please go to the following link;

https://berwickrelays2021.eventbrite.com.au

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);  

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).