Championship Pathway FAQ's

1. Next best 8 qualification opportunities for 13–15s have been expanded to include:
   • Region Championships
   • Any State or WA permit meet in NSW
   • Any State or WA permit meet in Australia (by application
2. Exemptions for exceptional circumstances are now available for progression from Zone to Region, and to a certain extent, from Region to State (read the exemption clause in the Entry regs carefully)
3. The roll-down system is now included for 9s –12s (Region to State only). It was already in place for 13–15s. For clarity, if an athlete does not accept their position, the next eligible athlete will be invited.

Excitingly, the next best 8 qualification opportunities for 13–15s have been expanded to include:

• • Region Championships
  • Any State or WA permit meet in NSW
  • Any State or WA permit meet in Australia (by application)

The expansion into any State of World Athletics permit meet aims to offer more qualifying opportunities for 13s-15s across a broader season timeline, avoiding concentration of events in early season when athletes may not yet be at peak performance. 

No. Qualification to State via the Zone/Region pathway is a method of the process but not the only method of qualification. 

The system acknowledges the coexistence of two models (LANSW and ANSW), and particularly for these age groups, recognises that there are a range of meaningful competition opportunities outside the traditional Zone–Region pathway. Events such as Treloar Shield and specialist series are valuable and engaging options for many athletes.

To clarify, automatic progression is distinct from the next best 8 model. Athletes may choose to pursue one or both methods.

Naturally, athletes who attempt both methods are likely to have a greater chance of qualifying.

Athletes can use the National Qualifications Opportunities page to see what competitions are considered State & World Athletics Permit. Events for the coming season will be updated progressively as Dates, Venues, and Events are still being finalised.

Please also note the period for which the events are considered available in the Entry Regulations (7.3.2): "events conducted in NSW between 1st October 2025 and 11:59 pm on the Sunday of the final Region Championship."

National Qualifications Opportunities page

Athletes in the 16s, 17s, and Under 20 age groups will enter the State Championships directly.

All other junior athletes must follow the standard progression pathway, except for the following events, which are not offered at Zone or Region level. Eligible athletes may enter these events directly by the nominated closing date.

The pathway for Para (Multi-Class) begins at the Region Championships. Some Zones offer a participatory opportunity at Zone, but athletes wishing to enter the pathway must directly enter their Region Championship.

Para progression,

o    9s-10s & 11s-12s: progress from Region to State (top 2, next best 8 at Region)

o   13s-14s: Top 2 at Region plus next best 8 based on 13s-15s rules in the Entry Guidelines

o   15s-16s & Under 20 - Direct entry to State

It should also be noted, athletes nominating to compete in Para events at the Region Championships may also choose to compete in able-bodied events at the Zone, Region, and State Championships. However, athletes are not permitted to compete in both the Para and able-bodied version of the same event (e.g., 100m able-bodied and 100m Para).

Athletes born in 2010 or earlier enter State Championships directly under separate guidelines.

Athletes registered with more than one club may choose to represent one club for individual events and a different club for relays at the Zone Championships. However, they cannot compete for more than one club in either individual events or relays

See Appendix 1 in the Entry Guidelines document via the link below to see the Event Grid at Zone & Region

Championship Pathway

The list of Zones and Region allocations are available on the website here.

The dates of the Zone and Region Championships will be available in mid-August. Once published, they will be available at the below pages on the wbesite

HART Sport Zone Championships 

Coles Region Championships  

Under the partnership, all clubs/centres are now eligible for all competition properties.

Clubs/centre are no longer distinguished by their affiliation to Little Athletics NSW or Athletics NSW. Athletes from all clubs/centres can enter the competition pathway and the Zone & Region Championships (provided they are age-eligible).

They can, but this is a decision for Zone Coordinators/Committees. Zones are best placed to determine what’s needed in their area (e.g. whether athletes require more competition opportunities).

For athletes in these age groups who are allowed to compete in their Zone or Region Championships, should note that it is not a progression and athletes will need to directly enter each competition. 

In exceptional circumstances only, please read the entry regulations via the link below for further details on the circumstances for which exceptions will be provided.

Championship Pathway