Region & State Events
Take your athletics beyond Centre competition
For athletes who want to experience more competition, Little Athletics offers a range of opportunities beyond our regular Cranbourne competition program.
Throughout the year, Cranbourne athletes can represent the Centre at Region and State Track and FIeld Events, Region and State Relays, State Combined Events, Cross Country Championships and Winter Track & Field events.
These competitions give athletes the opportunity to compete against athletes from other Centres, experience different venues and challenge themselves at the next level.
Participation in Region and State events is optional. Athletes do not need to be Centre Champions or the best in their age group to get involved — there are opportunities throughout the season for athletes of a wide range of abilities.
2026/27 Key Dates
The major Region and State dates currently scheduled for the 2026/27 season are:
Dates and venues can occasionally change, so families should always refer to the latest CLAC and Little Athletics Victoria communication before each event.
GCR Region Relay Carnival
Saturday 21 November 2026
TBD
State Relay Championships
Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 December 2026
Lakeside Stadium
State Combined Event Championships
Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 January 2027
Lakeside Stadium
GCR Track & Field Carnivals
Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 February 2027
TBD
State Track & Field Championships
Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 March 2027
Lakeside Stadium
State Cross Country Relay Championships
TBD
TBD
State Winter Road
Walking Championships
TBD
TBD
GCR Cross Country Carnival
TBD
TBD
State Winter Track & Field Championships
TBD
TBD
State Cross Country Championships
TBD
TBD
Region Track & Field Carnival
Represent Yourself and Cranbourne
The Gippsland Country Region Track & Field Carvial is one of the major events on the Little Athletics calendar and provide athletes from across our Region with the opportunity to compete against one another across a full range of track and field events.
The Championships are open to eligible athletes from U9 and above.
Athletes nominate the events they wish to contest, subject to the event limits and eligibility requirements applying to their age group.
Region Championships are also the pathway to the LAVic State Track & Field Championships.
Performances and placings at Region determine which athletes progress to State, with progression criteria varying depending on the event. Some events may also require athletes to achieve a qualifying standard.
Full qualification and progression information is communicated by Little Athletics Victoria and CLAC prior to the Championships.
GCR Junior Carnival
A Region experience for our youngest athletes
Our U6–U8 athletes don't have to miss out on the fun.
The Gippsland Country Region Junior Carnival is held alongside the Region Track & Field Championships and provides younger athletes with an opportunity to participate in their own special competition.
The Junior Carnival focuses on participation, enjoyment and giving our youngest athletes a taste of a larger athletics carnival while mixing with athletes from other Centres throughout the Region.
The Gippsland Country Region has traditionally been unique in offering this opportunity for its junior athletes.
Previous Junior Carnivals have included athletics events along with additional activities and plenty of fun throughout the day.
Further information is released closer to the Region Track & Field weekend.
State Track & Field Championships
Compete on the State stage
Athletes who successfully progress from their Region Championships earn the opportunity to represent Cranbourne at the Little Athletics Victoria State Track & Field Championships.
The State Championships are conducted across a nominated weekend and bring together some of the leading Little Athletes from across Victoria.
Athletes may compete in up to the maximum number of events permitted by LAVic, provided they have successfully progressed in those events through their Region Championships.
For many athletes, reaching the State Championships is a fantastic achievement in itself.
Whether an athlete is chasing a medal, a Personal Best or simply enjoying their first State experience, wearing the Cranbourne uniform on the State stage is something to be proud of.
Region Relays
Athletics is even better as a team
Relay season is one of the highlights of the Cranbourne calendar.
Unlike most athletics events, Relays give athletes the opportunity to compete as part of a team, representing Cranbourne alongside their teammates.
Eligible athletes are placed into teams and compete at the Gippsland Country Region Relay Carnival, with successful teams having the opportunity to progress to the State Relay Championships.
Relay events can include 4 x 100m, 4 x 200m and Swedish Medley Relays, with Boys, Girls and Mixed team combinations depending on the event and age group.
Mixed relay teams consist of both male and female athletes.
CLAC aims to provide as many eligible athletes as possible with the opportunity to participate, subject to available team combinations, athlete numbers and competition regulations.
State Relay Championships
Teams that successfully progress from the Region Relay Carnival have the opportunity to represent Cranbourne at the LAVic/AV State Relay Championships.
The State Relay Championships bring together qualifying teams from throughout Victoria for one of the biggest team-based events of the season.
There is nothing quite like seeing four Cranbourne athletes working together, wearing the blue, white and gold and racing for their Centre.
Relay team selections, training requirements and competition information will be communicated by CLAC during the season.
State Combined Event Championships
The ultimate all-round athletics challenge
Combined Events give athletes the opportunity to test themselves across a range of different athletics disciplines rather than specialising in a single event.
Depending on the athlete's age group, a Combined Event generally consists of five to seven individual events, with points awarded for each performance.
Those points are then added together to determine the athlete's overall Combined Event score.
Competitions involving five disciplines may be completed in a single day, while age groups contesting additional disciplines may compete across two consecutive days.
Combined Events reward versatility and consistency.
An athlete does not necessarily need to win individual events to perform strongly overall — every run, jump and throw contributes towards the final score.
Specific events and entry requirements vary by age group and are published by Little Athletics Victoria.
Winter Track & Field
Something different during the winter months
Little Athletics doesn't completely disappear when the summer Track & Field season finishes.
LAVic's Winter Track & Field series provides eligible athletes with an opportunity to continue competing during the cooler months.
The series traditionally includes qualifying competitions followed by a State Winter Track & Field Championship.
Rather than following a normal Saturday athletics program, Winter Track & Field uses a Combined Event-style format where athletes contest a nominated group of events and accumulate points across their performances.
Programs can include different or less commonly contested events, making the series a fun way for athletes to try something different while maintaining their fitness and skills during winter.
Competition opportunities and qualification requirements are released by LAVic prior to each winter season.
State Cross Country Relay Championships
Three athletes. One team.
The LAVic State Cross Country Relay Championships provide a different take on traditional Cross Country competition.
Teams consist of three athletes, with each athlete completing a section of the Cross Country course before handing over to their next teammate through the designated transition area.
Unlike Track & Field relays, athletes do not carry a baton.
Distances vary depending on the age group, with younger athletes completing shorter legs and senior athletes completing longer distances.
The event combines the endurance of Cross Country with the excitement and team atmosphere of relay competition.
CLAC will communicate team nomination and selection information prior to the event.
Region & State Cross Country
Take on the best distance runners in the Region and State
Our winter Cross Country season also provides athletes with opportunities to compete beyond the regular Casey Cross Country program.
Eligible Cranbourne athletes can participate in Region Cross Country competition, with athletes having the opportunity to progress to the LAVic State Cross Country Championships under the applicable qualification requirements.
State Cross Country brings together athletes from throughout Victoria across challenging outdoor courses featuring grass, hills, loops and natural terrain.
Cross Country Championships are about much more than simply speed — athletes need endurance, determination and the ability to handle whatever the course and conditions throw at them.
State Road Race Walk Championships
Little Athletics Victoria’s State Race Walk Road Championships provide eligible U9–U17 athletes with the opportunity to continue race walking competition during the winter season.
Athletes compete within their age and gender groups, with performances judged under official race walking rules.
Medals are awarded to the top three athletes in each eligible age group and gender.
Entry information, distances, venue details and competition requirements are released by LAVic prior to the event.
Representing Cranbourne
Region and State competition is an opportunity to proudly represent Cranbourne Little Athletics.
Athletes attending these events are expected to wear the approved Centre uniform and comply with all relevant LAVic competition and uniform requirements.
Families should ensure they understand event-day requirements including call-room times, marshalling, uniforms, footwear, parent duties and Team Manager instructions before attending.
Our Region & State Team Managers will communicate important CLAC information before major championships.
Parent Duties at Region & State Championships
Region and State Championships rely on volunteers from participating Centres to help deliver each event.
As a condition of entry, families registering an athlete for Region or State competition acknowledge that they may be required to complete an allocated parent duty on behalf of Cranbourne Little Athletics.
Duty allocations are provided to Centres based on athlete entries, and CLAC will communicate any required roles, reporting times and instructions before the event.
If your family is allocated a duty, it is your responsibility to ensure that duty is completed.
Failure to complete an allocated Region or State duty may result in consequences for your athlete/s at future Cranbourne championship events, including eligibility for future entries or selections.
If you are unable to complete an allocated duty, please contact the relevant CLAC Team Manager or Committee member before the event so alternative arrangements can be discussed where possible.
When our athletes compete at Region and State level, our families also play a part in helping those championships run successfully
.
Questions About Region or State?
Major championships can seem a little overwhelming the first time you attend — particularly with entries, qualifying, call rooms, duties and competition rules.
Don't be afraid to ask.
Our Committee and Region & State Team Managers are available to help families understand what they need to do.
Important information will also be communicated through CLAC social media and other Centre communication channels leading into each event.
From Casey Fields to the State stage.
Whether it's your first Region Carnival, your first relay team or you're chasing a State medal, representing Cranbourne at a major event is something to be proud of.
Wear the blue, white and gold with pride.