United National Pathway For Young Athletes | Australian Athletics and Little Athletics Australia To Align National Junior Champi

In an historic step toward aligning the pathway for athletics in the nation, Australian Athletics (AA) and Little Athletics Australia (LAA) will stage the 2026 Australian Junior Athletics Championships (AJAC) and the Coles Australian Little Athletics Championships (ALAC) side-by-side for the first time, creating the largest celebration of youth/junior athletics ever held at a national level.

Traditionally hosted as separate championships conducted by their respective national bodies, 2026 will see both events run consecutively at the same venue. The aligned championships will break new ground for athletics in Australia, establishing a clearer pathway for emerging athletes on the road to Brisbane 2032 and beyond.

The championships, to be hosted mid-April in Brisbane, will offer young athletes, parents, coaches, officials, and supporters a more integrated event experience while reducing travel costs and maximising the event atmosphere for our budding young athletes.

AA is also delighted to announce that the AJAC will be supported by the Queensland Government which has been a strong supporter of athletics events in recent years. The AJAC forms part of the Chemist Warehouse Summer Series.

This progress is more than just coordinating dates and locations. It has also involved AA, LAA and their respective Member Associations agreeing to program changes that reduce the existing overlap of having two separate events. In broad terms, ALAC will focus on teams-based competition up to ages 12 and 13, while the AJAC component will focus on individual events for ages 13 and above.

AA, LAA and their respective Member Associations are working together to finalise specific dates, operations, and logistics of the new coordinated approach, including technical regulations and selection processes which will be made public in the near future. We appreciate the Athletics community’s patience as we work towards announcing some of these details in the coming months as we head towards the 2025/26 season.

Australian Athletics President Jane Flemming OAM OLY highlighted the significance of the milestone.

“This is a landmark moment for athletics in Australia. This new approach will not only create a better experience for young athletes and their families – we’re also showcasing a united sport with a clear, cohesive pathway,” Flemming said.

“We’re stronger together. This collaboration reflects our shared ambition to elevate athletics and create more meaningful opportunities for young Australians to stay engaged and inspired throughout their sporting journey – including the chance to compete as a team and have fun and build lifelong memories along the way.”

The concept is equally endorsed by Little Athletics Australia President Sherrie Boulter who noted:

“This is a huge step in the right direction for Athletics. For the first time ever, all junior athletes will compete in aligned National events, removing duplication and providing clearer pathways in our sport whilst still retaining and building upon the unique teams-based aspect of ALAC.”

“It is an exciting time. There is a renewed sense of working together, collaborating at all levels with a united focus on participation, retention and performance, strengthening Athletics across the country.”

Athletics South Australia’s President Jane Russo and CEO Shane Fuller welcome today’s announcement by Australian Athletics and Little Athletics Australia.

"After being consulted in the recent past we endorse this athlete-first approach to the National Championships and feel it is a step forward in our goal to provide a clear and logical pathway for athletes throughout their life in the sport," they said.

Following the success of the 2024/25 domestic season, Australian Athletics is separately exploring options to optimise the 2026 Open National Championships in the lead up to the 2026 Commonwealth Games and will announce dates and location in due course.

The Australian Junior Athletics Championships is supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland’s Major Events Program and Brisbane City Council, through Brisbane Economic Development Agency.

Australian Athletics and Little Athletics Australia have developed an FAQs document which can be viewed here.