NSW Athletics Supports Unified Junior National Championships Pathway

NSW Athletics welcomes today’s announcement by Australian Athletics (AA) and Little Athletics Australia (LAA), on the historic alignment of the Australian Junior Athletics Championships (AJAC) and COLES Australian Little Athletics Championships (ALAC), commencing in 2026. 

For the first time, the two national junior events will be staged side-by-side in Brisbane, providing a clear pathway and connected experience for athletes and families. This shift reflects a shared commitment to streamlining the pathway for emerging athletes.

ANSW Chair Matt Whitbread welcomed the announcement:

“This is a significant and progressive step forward for Athletics in Australia and one that reflects the collaboration and innovation we’ve been championing in NSW.

By aligning our junior national events, we are providing a clear single pathway for our emerging athletes. For NSW athletes, this means a simple journey to a unified Australian Championships event where they will compete in an environment that truly reflects the unity of our sport.”

The announcement further reinforces the shared purpose underpinning the NSW Athletics partnerships between Athletics NSW and Little Athletics NSW, focused on uniting the athlete pathway and supporting long-term participation, development and performance across the state.

The new format will see the team ethos of ALAC integrated with the individual championship experience provided by the AJAC with a clear transition as athletes continue on their Athletics journey.

Chair of Little Athletics NSW, Costa Zakis added:

“This announcement is more than just a calendar change – It’s a cultural shift. A unified national championship provides our NSW athletes with a clear, connected and inspiring journey from Little Athletics through to the elite junior ranks. At the same time, it safeguards the unique team-based identity of Little Athletics, which is so central to our community.

For families across NSW, this alignment offers a more streamlined and enriching experience, and for our athletes, it represents a powerful symbol of what lies ahead. It’s an exciting time to be involved in our sport.”

The aligned championships will streamline travel and logistics for families, enhance the event atmosphere and support a single athlete journey as we look ahead to Brisbane 2032.

More information will be shared with the NSW athletics community in the coming months as planning for the 2025/26 season continues.

You can read the statement and find FAQs from Australian Athletics and Little Athletics Australian here.