Monash Memo - articles - 21 November 2001

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Athletics program on track for success

A new athletics skills program created by Monash lecturer Dr Justin O'Connor is set to become part of athletics programs in schools across Victoria.

Dr O'Connor, from the Faculty of Education at Gippsland campus, developed the On Track program in conjunction with the Victorian Little Athletics Association (VLAA).

Launched last week at Westgarth Primary School by Victorian Minister for Sport and Recreation Mr Justin Madden (pictured far right), the program aims to simplify the teaching and learning of athletics skills for teachers, parents and children.

"On Track is a sequential program that seeks to establish the fundamental skills of athletics prior to asking children to perform like Olympians," Dr O'Connor said.

Speaking at the launch, VLAA chief executive officer Ms Lisa Hasker said traditional coaching methods had centred on the adult version of athletics skills, which were often daunting for young children to learn and difficult for teachers to teach.

"On Track is a very flexible teaching tool. It can be integrated into any school curriculum with ease, catering for all primary school age groups," she said.

"By using an extensive range of fun activities, we hope to teach children the correct athletics skills and techniques, drawing on their natural enjoyment of exercise."

The program, which begins with basic motor skills for five-year-olds and progresses through to more complex athletic extension skills, has been endorsed by the Australian Council of Health and Physical Education and the Department of Education.

It has been piloted at several primary schools and Little Athletics centres throughout Victoria, with coaching workshops scheduled to be held around the state throughout 2002.