Little Athletics in Australia began in Victoria in 1964. It was at that time a little more than an informal weekly competition held at an oval in Geelong. Over the next few years it grew in both popularity and participation, and in 1967 the Victorian Little Athletics Association was formed.
Little Athletics in Western Australia started at Perry Lakes in February 1968 after Mr. Robin Johnson witnessed Little Athletics in action in Victoria. During that first season 200 athletes participated in just seven competition meets. The following season saw athlete numbers grow to over 1000, so a number of smaller competitions were established at various metro centres.
In October 1970, Ron and Joy Hardman along with a dedicated and enthusiastic group of parents, established the Belmont Little Athletics Centre (“BLAC”) and conducted the first competition meet at Forster Park in Cloverdale. A total of 947 athletes from 11 Clubs formed from local and surrounding schools competed in this inaugural competition.
In 1973, after three seasons at Forster Park, BLAC moved to its current home, the Gerry Archer Athletics Track. The establishment of this facility was a direct result of the foresight of local Belmont Councillors Fred Rae and Gerry Archer who could see the benefits of having a dedicated athletics venue in the City of Belmont.
In 2008 the clubrooms were refurbished and upgraded thanks to the ongoing support of the City of Belmont and additional funding from the Department of Sport & Recreation. In the 2009/2010 season BLAC celebrated its 40th season of Little Athletics and inducted its first Centre Patron, Mr. Fred Rae.
At the completion of the 2012/2013 season the Gerry Archer Athletics Track underwent a transformation. The Gateway Project was just starting and required the widening of the road reserve for Leach Highway and Abernethy Road. The entire track was relocated, grandstand and seating rebuilt and a new equipment shed erected. It was not until January 2014 that the Belmont athletes returned to the venue.
There are six affiliated clubs which make up the Belmont Centre – Carlisle/Rivervale, Forrestfield, High Wycombe, Kalamunda/Lesmurdie, Kewdale and Kelmscott. At the completion of the 2020/2021 summer season there has been over 19,500 athletes who have enjoyed Little Athletics at the Belmont Centre during its 51 seasons.
Inaugural Clubs
Belmay 1970/71 – 2007/08
Belmont Park 1970/71 – 1974/75
Canning Districts 1970/71 – 1976/77 (renamed to Forrestfield)
Carlisle 1970/71 – 1972/73 1975/76 – 1995/96 (Merged with Rivervale)
Cloverdale 1970/71 – 1999/00
High Wycombe 1970/71 – current
Kewdale 1970/71 – current
Lathlain 1970/71 only
Notre Dame 1970/71 – 1972/73 & 1975/76 – 1989/90
Redcliffe 1970/71 only
Rivervale 1970/71 – 1995/96 (Merged with Carlisle)
Tranby 1970/71 – 1984/85
Whiteside 1970/71 – 1984/85
New Clubs
St Norbert’s 1973/74 – 1978/79
Forrestfield 1977/78 – current (Formerly Canning Districts)
Kalamunda/Lesmurdie 1980/81 – current
Carlisle/Rivervale 1996/97 – current (Merger)
Victoria Park 2012/13 – 2020/2021
Willandra 2014/15 – current (Transferred from Dale Centre)
Kelmscott 2019/20 – current (formally Willandra)
Other Facts Of Interest
Belmont LAC Started with U8-U13’s 8 athletes were awarded the first ‘6 year’ medallions at the centres 6th birthday in 1975/76.
U14’s introduced 1982/83
U15’s introduced 1985/86
U7’s introduced 1986/87 (introduction of ‘9 year’ award 9 years later)
U16’s and 17’s introduced 1997/98
U6’s (Flying Bees) introduced 1999/00 (12 year award now possible)
Belmont Little Athletics Centre started at Forster Park from 1970/71 until 1973/74.
Season 1974/75 started at current grounds on a synthetic track. The synthetic track was replaced with grass during the 2002/03 season which forced the comp to the bottom oval.
2003/04 saw the comp move back to the new grass track.
The start of the 2013/14 season was held at Ern Clark, Cannington while the oval was being realigned due to the Gateway project.
Pennant winners (age group winners) was first introduced in the 1977/78 season.
1989/90 season – 20th anniversary. The Pavilion was renamed the Ron and Joy Hardman Pavilion in honour of life members.
Structure of Little Athletics
National Body – Australian Little Athletics (ALA)
This Committee is formed from the Chairperson/President of each affiliated State or Territory Association, three of which are elected into positions for terms of two years – President, Administration and Finance Director, Competition and Standards Director.
State Association – Athletics West (AW)
This Board of Management (BoM) is elected by the affiliated Centres in each state or territory for two year terms. There are eight positions in total and these positions are responsible for conducting and organising all state competition and events, sponsorship for state events, education of coaches and officials, coordinating registrations and supporting and guiding Centre administrations. It should be noted that each of these positions is a voluntary unpaid position. The Executive Officer and their assistant are not on the LAWA BoM and are the only paid positions in the association.
Centre – Belmont Athletics Centre (BAC) – Name changed removing ‘Little’ 2023/24 season
The Centre committee is made up of volunteer parents who are elected by the affiliated Clubs. They are normally parents of athletes at the Centre and are elected for terms of one year. The Centre committee is broken up into an Executive Committee and Non-Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is charged with the administration of the Centre while the Non- Executive Committee deals more with weekly competition and running of events.
Clubs – Carlisle/Rivervale, Forrestfield, High Wycombe, Kalamunda/Lesmurdie, Kewdale & Kelmscott
Each of the six clubs affiliated with the Belmont Centre elect a committee from the parents of athletes registered with that club at the club’s AGM each year. The club committee is responsible primarily for arranging training, maintaining records of their athlete’s participation and results, accreditation of coaches and registration of athletes.