Junior Development Squad

The Junior Development Squad (JDS) gives U12 – U17 athletes an opportunity to develop additional skills and improve technical competencies through participation in coaching and training sessions with some of Victoria’s leading coaches. Training with other keen and enthusiastic squad members is both fun and motivational and helps develop new friendships based on an enjoyment of athletics. The emphasis is to provide a friendly and supportive environment.

The program will consist of several squad training days at various venues throughout the season. There will be 4 – Track & Field days and 1- Cross-Country / Strength & Conditioning Day.

Each year a set of JDS qualifying standards are developed which reflects the performances of the athletes that were achieved throughout the season.  The standards are adjusted each year, to ensure the athletes are being compared to their peers, rather than against previous athletes.  This allows JDS to maintain a consistency of performances and competency from the athletes, in which all athletes who are eligible and qualify, can join, rather than setting a maximum number of members.  To assist this process, the athletes must achieve 2 qualifying performances.

The qualifying performances must be achieved at certain events to ensure the quality and accuracy of the results.

The athletes can achieve the qualifying performances at any of the following.

1. Little Athletics Victoria, Centre, Open Days, Region, State & National events.
2. AV Shield, AV Junior Championships, National T&F Championships.
3. SSV / APS / GSV, Region & State Championships.

• Performances at Schools District and Division carnivals are NOT accepted.
• Multi-Class athletes should contact the LAVic Office for qualification requirements.
• Multi-Class athletes will be accessed on a percentage of the Baseline tables.
• Performances on a grass track requires conversion by LAVic Office, prior to registration, if the performance is close to the qualifying standard, contact with the LAVic Office must be made prior to registration for approval.

The JDS registration process will require athletes to complete the online registration, confirming their eligibility against the qualifying standards, selecting their coaching rotations according to the selection criteria, and paying the JDS Joining Fee – $50 plus GameDay admin fee.  Once the registration is checked for eligibility and confirmed, a confirmation of registration will be sent.  This confirms that the athlete has joined JDS, they will be sent the JDS t-shirt to the address in the online database.  Please double check your address in the database is correct prior to registering.

Please do not register unless you have checked the qualifying standards and have qualified. Athletes that register without qualifying, will receive a refund minus a $15 administration charge.

Once your joining fee has been approved you will be invited to complete a JDS Squad Fee registration, this is a $90 plus GameDay admin fee.

Both fees are required to be paid to be eligible to attend any JDS activity.

The JDS registration portal will be available early August, the standards can be checked to confirm qualification prior to registration.  The Standards and the Registration link is contained within the Information Pack. JDS registration portal closes on 30th September 2022 at 11:59am (midday), prior to JDS Day 1.