About
Illawong LAC

WELCOME TO ILLAWONG LITTLE ATHLETICS CENTRE (ILAC)!

On behalf of everyone at Illawong Little Athletics, we’d like to give a big warm welcome to all our families, both returning members and especially our new ones, for the 2025–2026 season. We’re incredibly excited to be celebrating our 50th Anniversary this year, and we’ve got a fantastic season ahead filled with running, jumping, throwing, and plenty of family fun.

Whether this is your first season or you’ve been with us before, we encourage all families and visitors to read this guide carefully. It outlines who we are, how we operate, what to expect each Friday night, how to get involved, and how to make the most of your child’s experience.

🤝 VOLUNTEERING – THE HEART OF ILAC

ILAC runs entirely on volunteers. Every person you see helping out, from the President to our age group assistants, is giving their time freely to keep our club running smoothly. That’s how we’re able to offer such an affordable season:

$175 for registration + $45 for uniform = around $11 per week for 20 weeks of athletics!

Without volunteers, this simply wouldn’t be possible.

Volunteering at ILAC isn’t just expected, it’s ESSENTIAL. But more importantly, it’s fun and rewarding! It might mean helping set up the track, cooking in the canteen, raking the sandpit, measuring a throw, or simply returning a shot put. Every little job helps, and anyone can do it!

If you’re ever unsure how you can help, just ask an age manager or committee member. We’ve all been new at some point, and we’re always happy to show you the ropes.

Please note:

For safety and fairness, children cannot compete without a parent or guardian present and participating in some way. We understand there may be exceptions from time to time, and we’re happy to make arrangements if needed. However, if you're a family that prefers not to volunteer at all, we kindly suggest that ILAC may not be the right fit for you.

🚀 PATHWAYS FOR ALL ATHLETES

Think your child has to be a star athlete to enjoy Little Athletics? Think again!

At ILAC, we cater to all abilities and all goals. Whether your child is quick off the mark or just learning how to jump into a sandpit, there’s a place for them here. Confidence grows with time, and you’ll be amazed at the progress children make across a season, both in skills and self-belief.

For those who do show a strong interest or talent in athletics, we provide access to qualified event coaches and training sessions throughout the week. Our website lists their contact details and training times.

You’ll also see a range of exciting opportunities on our calendar, including:

Zone, Regional & State Championships

State Relays

Cross Country & Road Walks

National-level and even international competitions like the Trans-Tasman Series

Plus, ILAC is a proud feeder club for the Illawong Revesby Workers Senior Athletics Club, meaning athletes aged 12+ can transition seamlessly into senior competition while remaining part of our club community.

🏃‍♀️ OUR MISSION

The mission of Illawong Little Athletics is simple but powerful:

FAMILY, FUN, and FITNESS.

We aim to promote the sport of track and field in a way that supports all children, no matter their ability, to be active, confident, and part of a supportive community.

We hope this guide gives you a helpful introduction to how we run and what to expect. If you’re looking for more details, please check out our FAQs page on the website or speak to a committee member at the clubhouse.

We can’t wait to see you at the track and share a truly unforgettable 50th anniversary season with you!

Warm regards,

The ILAC Committee

Our
History

It was more a case of “If you build it, they will come. Prior to 1976 there were no sporting facilities available for children in the Illawong and Menai areas. At this time, not only was there no organised sport, there was no high school and only two public schools, one at Illawong with approximately 130 pupils, and one at Menai with approximately 30 children. The Illawong School P and C Committee worked with the Education Department to install a small oval in the bush area behind the school. When the oval was finished, the P and C Committee called interested parties to a meeting in April 1976 to form a sports club. The newly formed Illawong Sports Club was instrumental in getting sporting clubs and facilities into this rapidly growing area, firstly a softball group and a netball group along with an existing gymnastic group. With the coming of the summer months, and with discussions with Little Athletics NSW, the first executive committee of Little Athletics was formed. Fast forward 28 years, Sutherland Shire Council and Waste Service NSW drew up plans to redevelop the old tip site at Lucas Heights, transforming the area into a major regional sporting facility. Work began in 2000 with the area being treated, filled and compacted with 850,000 tonnes of clean fill. On the 4th September 2004 Illawong Little Athletics and Seniors made their third move in three decades from Buckle Reserve to The Ridge Athletics Track. In January 2006 Illawong Little A’s was able to host its first ever Zone Championship which was a big task for the Centre but it also allowed us to showcase our new facility and was a huge success.
Committee
Name
Role
Mobile
Email
Courtney Johnson
President/ Board Representative
N/A
Samantha Lai
Secretary / Board Representative/ Zone Delegate
N/A
Nicole Moffatt
Registrar/ Health and Safety Officer
N/A
Imran Musa Mior Musa
Treasurer
N/A
Vacant
Marketing Officer / Sponsorship
N/A
Julie Purdon
Canteen Coordinator
N/A
Vacant
Canteen
N/A
N/A
Troy Leedham
Timing and Data
N/A
N/A
Bryan Nouwens
Timing and Data
N/A
N/A
Kane Abela
Equipment Officer
N/A
N/A
Erin Abela
Equipment Officer
N/A
N/A
Werner Schwartz
Coaching Co-ordinator
N/A
N/A
Carly Bartlett
Zone and Region Delegate
N/A
N/A
Vacant
Announcer
N/A
N/A