Athletics — the fundamental sports of running, jumping, and throwing — are among humanity's oldest competitions and Australia's most widely participated sporting activities. Millions of Australians run regularly, though many never join athletics clubs. Track and field clubs develop the full range of athletic disciplines from sprinting to pole vault to shot put. Junior athletics is a gateway to lifelong physical activity. Grant funding supports athletics clubs, track and field infrastructure, junior development, para-athletics, and the events and programs that build athletic communities.
Australian athletics landscape
Challenges for athletics clubs
Australian Sports Commission / Sport Australia
Community sport grants.
State sport agencies
Athletics development funding at state level.
Local government
Track maintenance and facility grants.
Athletics Australia
National governing body:
- Community athletics grants
- Junior athletics development
- Para-athletics programs
- Women in athletics
State athletics associations
Track and field club operations
Junior athletics
Road running and events
Para-athletics
Women's athletics
Masters athletics
Track and field facilities
Little Athletics is one of Australia's most important junior sport programs:
- Operates through thousands of clubs across Australia
- Serves children aged 5-15 in a non-competitive, participation-focused environment
- Introduces children to the full range of athletic disciplines
- Foundation for elite athletics pathways
- Strong volunteer culture (mostly parent volunteers)
Grant funding for Little Athletics clubs — equipment, facilities, program costs — has wide community support and accesses sport funders through state and national Little Athletics organisations.
Facilities last generations
Track and field infrastructure is expensive but long-lived. Applications for track resurfacing or facility improvements produce lasting community benefit.
Little Athletics priority
Junior athletics programs — particularly Little Athletics — develop lifelong physical activity habits. Applications for Little Athletics are well-positioned with sport and health funders.
Para-athletics inclusion
Para-athletics programs include athletes who cannot participate in many other sports. Applications for para-athletics equipment and programs address genuine inclusion.
Throwing infrastructure
Throwing facilities (discus cages, shot put circles) are expensive and often neglected. Applications for throwing infrastructure address a gap that limits athletes' development in field events.
Tahua's grants management platform supports athletics funders and community sport organisations — with participant tracking, event reach data, program measurement, and the reporting tools that help athletics funders demonstrate their investment in Australia's track and field and running communities.