15 Sep WPA Little Athletics take centre stage in Atlantis
By Adnaan Mohamed
CAPE TOWN: The next generation of Western Cape athletics will take centre stage in Atlantis on Saturday when Velocity Athletics Club hosts the Western Province Athletics Little Athletics meeting at Wesfleur.
The meeting, scheduled for 19 September, is expected to attract 282 young athletes, with competition running from 08:00 to 12:55.
For many of the competitors, the event will provide an early introduction to competitive athletics while allowing developing athletes to test themselves across a range of disciplines.
The programme caters for athletes from the Boys and Girls Under-7 categories through to Under-13, with events designed to develop speed, endurance, hurdling, jumping and throwing skills.
The Under-13 programme offers the broadest range of competition, including the 100m, 200m, 800m and 1500m, race walking, hurdles, discus, shot put, javelin, high jump and long jump.
Combined events will also give some athletes the opportunity to compete across several disciplines.
The Under-11 categories feature 80m and 100m sprints, 1200m, 70m hurdles, shot put, turbo javelin, high jump and long jump.
For the Under-9 athletes, the programme includes 60m and 80m sprints, 600m and turbo javelin, while the youngest competitors in the Under-7 categories will contest the 60m, 80m and 400m.
The breadth of the programme reflects the developmental purpose of Little Athletics, where young competitors can experience different disciplines before specialising as they progress through the sport.
It is also an important part of the athletics pathway, giving youngsters an opportunity to become familiar with competition, officials, starting procedures and the discipline required on the track and field.
With photo-finish timing in place, performances will be recorded accurately, adding a competitive edge to an event where personal improvement remains an important measure of success.
For Velocity Athletics Club, hosting the meeting provides an opportunity to bring organised youth athletics to the Atlantis community and expose young athletes to a competitive environment.
The event also highlights the depth of emerging talent within Western Province athletics.
At this stage of their development, the stopwatch can tell only part of the story. A personal best, a first podium, a successful jump or a completed race can be the small milestone that keeps a young athlete coming back for more.
The meeting will take place at Wesfleur, Anna Avenue, Atlantis, on Saturday.
With hundreds of young athletes expected to line up across the morning, the focus will be on participation, development and giving the next generation an opportunity to find their place in athletics.
For some, Saturday could be another race. For others, it could be the first step on a much longer journey.
Photos: Courtesy of Rashied Isaacs
Event: WPA Little Athletics
Organiser: Velocity Athletics Club
Venue: Wesfleur, Atlantis
Date: Saturday, 19 September 2026
Time: 08:00-12:55
Athletes: 282
Timing: Outdoor, photo-finish timed
Contact: Emil van Wyk (WPA Track &Field Chairperson) 0721343229 on or Lee-Shay Willemse 0812566725 (Velocity AC)
Click here to register: WPA Little Athletics 4
