Competition offered at Dunbar Park for our 6s to U20s athletes operates according to the Little Athletics NSW Rules of Competition.
Each week athletes arrive and meet their team and Age Manager. The Age Manager, and any parents assisting them, will take the team around to their events for the morning. 6 events are offered each week.
Ryde Athletics Centre offers a 2 week program cycle for athletes, which means that each event for each age group takes place at least once every 2 weeks. The program is a mixture of short and long-distance track events, as well as field events. Most athletes are to arrive at 8:15am for warm-up, with events starting at 8:30am.
For Program Week 1, 11s and older start their 1500m at 7:45am, and 14s and older start their Discus at 8am.
For Program Week 2, 13s and older start their 3000m at 7:45am, and 8:15am is the start time for both the 14G Discus and the 15s and older 300m hurdles.
We also have a wet weather program for days when the track is able to be used but the weather is inclement and athlete/helper numbers are small.
In the event of the wet weather program being utilised, the program that was scheduled will be postponed until the following week.
The full program can be viewed here:
2025/26 DUNBAR PARK PROGRAMS
Age managers weekly program (Start times)
Participation in all events is encouraged but NOT enforced. It is always the athlete’s choice to compete or not. Not everybody does all events or attends all weeks! If you can’t attend a week, that’s fine – we’ll see you next time.
We do ask however, in the interests of safety, that you advise your Age Manager if you need to leave early. As long as we have enough helpers to keep the events moving, we complete competition well before noon.
Some age groups finish earlier than this, and some that do Javelin and Race Walking may finish slightly later.
Tiny Tots Program
If your child is a Tiny Tot, they will participate in play activities, mainly in their own area. Tots usually spend some time on the track where they run, have relays, and long jump into the sandpit to get them used to the track, running in lanes, and queueing for their turn, amongst other things. The activities are designed to develop some of the gross motor skills and co-ordination used in later years for athletics.
A parent of the Tot stays with them and helps with the activities. The Tots’ program starts at 8.30 and usually finishes by 9.30. No times or places are recorded for them.
What do I do as a parent?
Parents are required to stay each Saturday and help out on the oval as an official/helper or alternatively can help with the BBQ or Canteen. Ryde Athletics Centre can only continue with the support of the parents involved in the morning activities, and this is why we need your help. Our Volunteers Coordinator can help you choose which event to help with if you are unsure.
Children must not be left unattended at Dunbar Park. A parent or guardian must remain at the grounds at all times.
