UWALAC Winter Program

UWALAC Winter Season

Welcome to the UWALAC Winter Season. Our winter programme focuses on keeping you and your children healthy and active.

If you want (your child) to run a XC race organised by Athletics West we will prepare them for it, but the focus is on extending the fun and community feeling of the summer season into the winter season. Training starts in Term 2 and runs for 10 weeks (U12 to U18).

WINTER REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN VIA RESULTSHQ PORTAL

Groups

We will split the children up in 3 groups:

  • U7 – U9: focus on building confidence, strength and stamina – yes, we will be running as well, but within the boundaries of each year group.
  • U10 – U18 social: focus is on keeping the children engaged by providing them with the ability to train, have fun and stay connected to their mates. Yes, there will be XC training, but the coaches will keep the social element clearly in mind.
  • U12 – U18 competitive: focus on getting these children ready for the best performance they can bring in XC and other races. If you (or your child) join this group, we expect 100% focus on the training and commitment to getting the best out of themselves.

Coaches

The head coaches for these groups are:

  • U7 – U9: TBA
  • U10 – U18 social: TBA
  • U12 – U18 competitive: Coach Sarah Hynes

All three head coaches are looking for at least one assistant coach, so when you sign your child up for the winter season be prepared to be asked to help as an assistant coach.

Location and volunteers

The coaches will be running the training at Perry Lakes (so not at McGillivray Oval!) and because of this we will require parents to volunteer just as during the summer season.

A rotation will be provided on a later date, but every parent will have to volunteer at least one training session to keep it safe for our younger athletes. Parents/carers will also be asked to select a roster position when registering for events and also help out at the UWALAC event (date TBC). Please be advised that parent runners are required especially during the darker months. Bring your wet weather gear, water bottles and plenty of enthusiasm.

Sessions

  • The U7 – U11 will be training on Thursday; 4:30PM till 5:30PM (or earlier when it gets too dark at Perry Lakes)
  • Both Sarah and Jason’ groups (U12 to U18) will be training on Tuesday and Thursday; 4:30 till 5:30PM, but please be mindful that the U10 and U11 will only train on Thursday.

Please bring with you to the training session: good humour, a water bottle, towel and a warm jacket. We will only cancel a session if there is a lightning storm expected to take place during most of the session.

Competition

  • The U7 will have 1 XC competition (organised by UWALAC on a date later to be announced) event.
  • U8 – U18 can, but don’t have to, compete in any XC event organised by Athletics West. Athletes will need to register for each race via the Athletics West website, no later than the Thursday before the event.
  • We are also planning to offer the U8-U18 children the option to join us on some “park runs” across the region. Parents must be prepared to run with their child though, as the park runs have their own regulations.
  • We are currently investigating if there are other events we can offer to the children. We will inform you (and your child) about this later in the season.

Cost

If you are a UWALAC summer athlete the cost of the winter programme is included in your registration fee. For existing members, the Winter Season is a nomination event that you action in your family profile under the nomination button.

Are you coming to us for the first time? We charge you a registration fee of $150.

If you are new member for the winter season and decide to continue with us for the summer season, we will refund the club portion of the winter fee. This will be applied as a discount (being $50) on your summer registration fee. The rest of the fee is for the Athletics West registration for the Winter season, which includes insurance.

As a new member, you will need to set up your ResultsHQ profile. If you have any issues when registering, please contact us on contact@uwalac.com.au

Athletic West Competition Information:

Visit the Athletics West winter webpage for the event calendar. Note: it has not yet been updated for the 2026 season. Please check back regularly to check if race venues or other information has changed.

In case of inclement weather, please check the Athletics West Facebook page.

Here is some other helpful information:

• Athletes need to be at the start line 5 minutes prior to the scheduled event start time.

• Parents will be asked to select a roster position for each event, at the time of registrations.

• Winter competition rules can be found in the Athletics West Rules of Winter Competition. Note: it has not yet been updated for the 2026 season.

Distances

• U8-U9 – 1000m

• U10-U11 – 1500m

• U12-U13 – 2000m

• U14-U18 – 3000m