School Sport Unit

Section 5.2 – Athletics State Championship Rules – boys and girls

 

Amended May 2026

5.2.1

Refer to General state championship rules.

(a) Each association is eligible to enter three (3) competitors per event. Additional entries are considered where special circumstances occur refer to 5.2.23 Additional entries.

(b) All competitors must compete in designated association uniform.

5.2.2 Championship Pathways

Events within these Athletics Championship are conducted across two (2) pathways: Open-class and Multi-class.

For the purposes of these Championships, Open-class and Multi-class are considered the same event. Therefore, athletes cannot compete in Open-class and Multi-class events of the same distance or type.

The Open-class pathway is for students who:

• do not meet the minimum impairment criteria for multi-class classification; or
• opt to compete without adaptations or disability-specific classification.

The multi-class pathway is for students with an eligible classification (including autism, deaf and hard of hearing, intellectual, physical, transplant or vision) who elect to compete within classification-based events.

For more information on classification refer to 5.2.4(c).

5.2.3 Open-class age divisions and events

(a) Open-class age divisions:

• • • • • 8 years, 9 years, 10 years, 11 years, 12 years, 13 years
        • Junior: 8 years, 9 years, 10 years
        • Senior: 11 years, 12 years, 13 years.

A competitor whose significant birthday occurs during the current year is eligible for that age event only.

No competitor shall enter both junior and senior events, nor in two age events, including relays.

(b) Open-Class events:

Track

• • • • • • 100 Metres: 8 years, 9 years, 10 years, 11 years, 12 years, 13 years
          • 200 Metres: Junior, 11 years, 12/13 years
          • 800 Metres: Junior, 11 years, 12/13 years
          • 1500 Metres: Junior, 11 years, 12/13 years
          • 4 x 100 Metres Relays: Junior, Senior, Nigel Bagley, Norman & Elizabeth Austen

Field

• • • • • • High Jump: Junior, 11 years, 12/13 years
          • Long Jump: Junior, 11 years, 12/13 years
          • Shot Put: Junior (2 kg), 11 years (2 kg), 12/13 years (3 kg)
          • Discus: Junior (500gms), 11 years (750gms), 12/13 years (750gms)

Open-class events are conducted in boys divisions and girls divisions.

5.2.4 Multi-class age divisions and events

(a) Multi-class age divisions:

• • • • Junior: 8 years, 9 years, 10 years
      • Senior: 11 years, 12 years, 13 years

A competitor whose significant birthday occurs during the current year is eligible for that age event only.

No competitor shall enter both junior and senior events.

(b) Multi-class events:

Track

• • • • • • 100 Metres: Junior, Senior
          • 200 Metres: Junior, Senior
          • 800 Metres: Junior, Senior

All Multi-class track events will be conducted as timed finals.

Field

• • • • • • Long Jump: Junior, Senior
          • Shot Put: Junior, Senior
          • Discus: Junior, Senior

Multi-class implement weights vary pending classification and age. See athletics appendix for more details.

Multi-class events are conducted in boys divisions and girls divisions.

(c) Each athlete in multi-class events must have a current sporting classification (national, provisional or review status).

The verification of classifications will be done against the Australian Athletics Classification Masterlist and in conjunction with Deaf Sports Australia, Paralympics Australia, Sports Inclusion Australia and Transplant Australia.

Athletes who do not have a classification prior to competition will be ineligible to compete at the NSWPSSA Athletics Championships.

Physical Impairment classifications requiring review may be conducted at the state championships (if classifiers are available). Should a student’s classification be deemed ineligible at this time, he/she can still participate, but receives no percentages and will not be eligible for placings, medals, records or team selection.

If a student’s classification changes during the championship, as a result of a classification review, the new classification will be used from that point in time for all future events contested. If an event has already been completed, the former classification will be used to determine its results, placings and team selection.

(d) Classification is done by specific governing bodies. The classification categories and governing bodies are as follows:

 

(e) Placings for athletes in multi-class events will be determined using the School Sport Australia Track and Field Baselines for the year of competition. Each athlete's performance will be compared to the Baseline for their respective classification to determine a percentage. All results in each multi-class event will be converted to a percentage and the largest percentage wins, second largest second etc.

(f) Guide runners are only permitted for athletes with T11 or T12 classification. Guide runners are optional for T12. It is the responsibility of the athlete to provide their own guide runner and tether.

(g) Wheelchairs and Race Running Frames are considered personal equipment and must be supplied by the athlete. These must comply with the WPA Rules.

5.2.5 Starting and lane draw

(a) Lane draw: In the first round of 100m, 200m and 800m events, the lane draw order shall be drawn by lot. 1500m events will be seeded based on entry times. For semi-final and final rounds, competitors shall be ranked in accordance with their positions and times in the previous round. (See World Athletics Technical Rule 20.4). Competitors must occupy the arranged positions regardless of any withdrawals.

(b) Method: The method of starting for 100m, 200m and relays shall be "On your marks – set – gun". For the 800m and 1500m the method shall be "On your marks – gun".

(c) Starting blocks may be used, at the discretion of the athlete, in all laned track events, except where this contravenes any rule(s) made by the venue management on the use of starting blocks. Only starting blocks supplied by the venue are permitted to be used. Competitors may use a crouch start (with or without blocks) or a standing start. No other starting positions are permitted. Athletes wearing spiked shoes for a crouch start MUST use blocks, refer to 5.2.11(c).

(d) 800 metres: The start for the heats and finals of the 800 metres will be in lanes with the heats having up to two (2) competitors per lane.

(e) 1500 metres: A pack start will be used for 1500 metre races.

(f) False starts: Any athlete making a false start shall be warned. Any athlete(s) making further false starts in the race shall be disqualified from the race. If the disqualification is in the heat, the athlete will be advised of their disqualification but allowed to complete the race.

5.2.6 Placegetters

(a) At the completion of each race competitors must return to the finish line.

(b) Photo-finish and electronic timing will determine all placings and times.

(c) Should photo-finish equipment malfunction then placegetters shall receive from the chief judge tokens denoting place gained. These must then be taken to the track recorder.

5.2.7 Progression and Finalists

Semi-finalists and finalists for track events will be determined in the following manner (this may be altered at the discretion of the championship director should the circumstances arise):

(a) 100 metres: Heats to semi-finals 1st, 2nd, 3rd from each of the heats plus the next fastest times to complete the field of twenty (20). Semi-finals to finals 1st, 2nd and 3rd from each semi-final plus the next fastest times to complete the field of ten (10).

(b) 200 metres: Heats to finals 1st place from each heat plus the next fastest times to complete the field of nine (9).

(c) 800 metres: Heats to finals 1st place from each heat plus the next fastest times to complete the field of nine (9).

(d) 1500 metres: Will be run as timed finals, with the field split into two races.

(e) Relays: Heats to finals 1st place from each heat plus the next fastest times to complete the field of nine (9).

(f) Where semi-finals and/or finals must be abandoned, placings will be determined by the times recorded in the previous round.

5.2.8  Officials on duty

Only the officials on duty at the time of the event and competitors shall be allowed on the enclosure. At the conclusion of the event competitors must leave.

Note: Parents, coaches and unauthorised persons are not allowed on the field of play. Once competitors are in the hands of the officials controlling the event, they shall not receive any coaching or advice.

Penalty: Disqualification of the competitor involved.

5.2.9 Referee

Rules to be observed shall be in accordance with the World Athletics Technical Rules except where stated otherwise. The referee shall be the sole arbiter in points under dispute.

5.2.10 Protests

As per World Athletics Technical Rule 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6 with the following variations:

1. Protests concerning the status of an athlete to participate in a competition must be made, prior to the commencement of such competition, to the championship management. Once the championship management make a decision, there shall be a right of appeal to the Jury of Appeal.
2. Any protest shall, in the first instance, be made orally to the referee by athlete concerned or the team manager (who shall be a teacher), within fifteen (15) minutes of the completion of the event.
3. The relevant team manager, who must be a teacher, may make a written appeal to the jury if dissatisfied with the referee's decision. The appeal may only be submitted on the supplied protest form and must be submitted within fifteen (15) minutes of the announcement of the referee's decision.

The Jury of Appeal shall be appointed by the championship director at the Technical Meeting.

5.2.11 Relays

(a) The following relay events will be held: Junior Boys, Junior Girls, Senior Boys, Senior Girls, Nigel Bagley Trophy, Norm and Elizabeth Austen Trophy.

(b) Team eligibility

(i) Each school may enter one relay team in each of the Junior Boys, Junior Girls, Senior Boys and/or Senior Girls relay events.

(ii) A boys team must consist of 4 boys from one school.

(iii) A girls team must consist of 4 girls from one school.

Or

(iv) An Association may nominate a composite team in the BOYS and/or GIRLS relays. A composite team may be entered from a Zone providing the total enrolment of the schools involved does not exceed 250 (K-6) students. Schools choosing this option may not enter the Nigel Bagley or Norm and Elizabeth Austen relays.

Or

A school may enter only one relay team via the following options:

(v) The Nigel Bagley Trophy: The Nigel Bagley Relay must include students from schools with a total enrolment of more than 25 students but not exceeding 54 students. The combination of boys and girls in each team is to be decided upon by the individual school. All students in the team must be enrolled at the same school. The classification of the enrolment will be determined by the February staff return.

(vi) The Norm & Elizabeth Austen Trophy: The Norm & Elizabeth Austen Relay must include students from schools with a total school enrolment not exceeding 25. The combination of boys and girls in each team is to be decided upon by the individual school. All students in the team must be enrolled at the same school. The classification of the enrolment will be determined by the February staff return.

Note: The following is a summary of part of World Athletics relay rules and athletes should be aware of the complete rules. Relay batons will be provided.

(i) Relays shall be run on a circular track (4 x 100 metres).

(ii) A team shall consist of 4 runners and a baton shall be carried in hand.

(iii) The baton shall be passed within the takeover zone. The takeover zone shall be 30 metres long. Receiving athletes must start within this zone and have full control of the baton when leaving the zone.

(iv) All runners must remain in their allotted lane until all teams are clear of the takeover zone.

(v) If the baton is dropped it shall be recovered by the athlete who dropped it. If it drops out of the team's lane the athlete may leave the lane provided they don't lessen the distance covered and no other athlete is impeded.

(vi) Check-marks. An athlete may place one check-mark (to assist the baton change over) on the track within his/her own lane, inside or outside the takeover zone. Athletes may use adhesive tape, maximum 5cm x 40cm, of a distinctive colour which cannot be confused with other permanent markings. No other check marks may be used.

5.2.12 Equipment and footwear

(a) Competitors must use the equipment provided by the association or the venue.

(b) All competitors must wear footwear. Spiked shoes are only permitted in 100m, 200m, Relays, Long Jump and High Jump events. Spikes are not permitted in 800m or 1500m events.

(c) Athletes wearing spiked shoes during a crouch start MUST use starting blocks. Athletes in spikes may alternatively use a standing start.

(d) When spiked shoes are worn the maximum length for all track events and Long Jump is 7mm. For High Jump it is 9mm.

(e) Relay batons shall be 32mm x 290mm

5.2.13 Field events

(a) In all field events, except the High Jump, each athlete shall be allowed three trials and the eight athletes with the best valid performances shall be allowed one additional trial.

(b) In the event of a tie in a field event, except for high jump, the second best performance of the athletes tying shall resolve the tie. Then, if necessary, the third best, and so on.

(c) In all field events, except high jump, each athlete shall be allowed one minute to complete his/her attempt once called up by the official responsible for the event.

(d) In multi-class long jump events, athletes qualifying with distances of less than 1.5m, will be required to jump from an alternate take off board, 30cm from the pit edge.

5.2.14 High jump

(a) Competitors may have three (3) attempts in rotation at each height. Three (3) consecutive failures regardless of the height at which any of such failures occur, will disqualify the athlete from further jumping except in the case of a tie for first place.

(b) The period allowed for a trial shall be: more than 3 competitors –1 minute, 2 or 3 – competitors 1.5 minutes, 1 competitor – 3 minutes. Consecutive trials – 2 minutes.

(c) If an athlete returns from another event re-entry shall be at the existing bar height.

(d) In the event of a tie the best record on count back, in accordance with World Athletics Technical Rule 26.8, shall decide the place winners.

(e) Starting heights for High Jump shall be:

 

(f) Bar rises shall be 5cm until a maximum of six (6) competitors remain then 3cm. If the field comprises of less than eight (8) competitors the increments are at the discretion of the chief judge in consultation with the field referee. After an athlete has won the competition, the height or heights to which the bar is raised shall be decided by the athlete, in conjunction with the chief judge or field referee.

5.2.15 Qualifying distances/heights/times

These will be determined by the convener each year.

5.2.16 Most Outstanding Association

The following criteria will be used to determine the most outstanding association at the NSWPSSA Athletics Championships. These points apply to both open-class and multi-class events and will contribute to the overall point score for each association.

Track events

• • • 100 metres, 200 metres, 800 metres, 1500 metres and field events:

1st place	12 points
2nd place	10 points
3rd place	8 points
4th place	6 points
5th place	2 points
6th place	1 point

• • • Relay events

1st place	24 points
2nd place	20 points
3rd place	16 points
4th place	12 points
5th place	8 points
6th place	4 points

5.2.17 Most Outstanding Athlete in Open-class Events

The following criteria will be used to determine the most outstanding athlete, in open-class events, at the NSWPSSA Athletics Championship.

Points will be allocated to competitors who finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in their respective events. The points awarded will be:

1st Place	12 points
2nd place	10 points
3rd place	8 points

Plus, an additional 10 points for having set a new record or an additional 5 points for equalling a record. The establishing of a new record or equalling of a record to earn points may occur in heats, semi-finals or finals. Points are only allocated once per event upon conclusion.

5.2.18 Most Outstanding Athlete in Multi-class Events

The following criteria will be used to determine the most outstanding athlete in multi-class events at the NSWPSSA Athletics Championship.

Points will be allocated to competitors who finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in their respective events. The points awarded will be:

1st Place	12 points
2nd place	10 points
3rd place	8 points

No additional points for records will be awarded for multi-class events.

5.2.19 School of the Meet

The School of the Meet Cup will be awarded to the school that achieves the most points at the NSWPSSA Athletics Championship.

5.2.20 Discus – safety issues

For discus activities the following safety strategies must be employed

(a) All discuses, must be of a rubber compound not wooden/metal.

(b) Ensure discuses being returned to the throwing area are carried.

(c) Protective cages or improvised barriers are recommended (eg. fence, cricket nets, hockey nets). Ensure other students are behind protective cages/barriers, well clear of the wire.

(d) Where no protective cage/barrier is available, ensure other students are at least 20 metres behind and to the non-throwing side.

5.2.21 Selection of state teams

The state team selection committee will consist of three officials as appointed by the NSW athletics convener and NSWPSSA executive. With the exception of years when the Pacific School Games are to be contested, where specific selection criteria apply, the following procedures for representation at the School Sport Australia Championship shall apply.

(a) All athletes selected to represent the NSWPSSA at the School Sport Australia Championships must be turning ten (10), eleven (11), or twelve (12) in the year of competition.

(b) The first four placegetters in Open 100 metres events and first three placegetters in all other events will be considered for selection into the NSWPSSA representative team according to the selection standards set by the NSWPSSA.

In the case of a tie for the third place, the championship director shall determine selection for the third position using the following criteria:

(i) Field: the tie will be resolved at the event.

(ii) Track: Times from the previous round will be used to split athletes for team selection (semi-finals for 100m, heats for 200m and 800m). If the tie is still not resolved heat times will then be used for 100m.  If results are unable to be determined through this method, then a run-off will be held. Should a tie occur in 1500m, then a run-off will be held on Day 2 of the championship, at the convenor’s discretion. 

(c) All additional selections including the tetrathlon will be determined by the state representative selection committee, taking into account performances from association, zone/district, school championships and the NSWPSSA Championships in the year of competition only.

(d) Subject to the availability of placegetters and time constraints, the selection committee may choose the next most worthy athlete to replace any athlete unable to take his/her place.

(e) Tetrathlon (100m, 800m, Long Jump and Shot Put): Only athletes who compete at the NSWPSSA Track and Field Championship, in the current year of competition, may apply for selection in the tetrathlon to represent NSWPSSA at the School Sport Australia 12 Years and Under Track and Field Championship. Nominations must be submitted by the close of Day 2. The NSWPSSA selection committee will review all applications and inform successful athletes in due course.

5.2.22 Management structure

The NSW track and field team selected to compete at the School Sport Australia Championship will be entitled to the following supervision
ratios:

• A Manager in Charge (MIC) plus 7 team managers will be elected each year as a minimum. The following NSWPSSA teacher supervision ratio to athletes will be limited to: Open-class 1:25, Multi-class 1:15. If the NSW team selected exceeds these ratios, then positions for additional team managers will be advertised.
• The team management structure and assigned roles will be delegated by the MIC upon appointment of the NSW Track and Field team management at the beginning of each year.

5.2.23 Additional entries/special consideration

To be eligible to compete at the NSWPSSA Athletics Championships, students must have qualified for their association's team by competing at their respective athletics competition and finishing in either first, second or third position overall in a specific event.

Special consideration may be granted for additional entries in the year of competition by the convener and executive committee using the appropriate form, no later than ten working days prior to the championships.

A special consideration application may be submitted on behalf of a student who was unable to compete at their association's competition due to competing at a higher level NSWPSSA sanctioned event which was held on the same date. Associations must provide a student's zone results and compare these to their final association results. If comparative, then the application may be submitted for consideration, however, if the zone result does not equal or better the association's results, no grounds for submission would be valid.

Illness, injury or vacation will not be considered for special entry.

Special entry will not be permitted for students who tie for third place in field events - long jump, high jump, shot put and/or discus. Associations need to ensure they have stringent measures in place to complete correct and thorough count backs to split decisions.

Other extreme circumstances may arise periodically and cause associations to request special entry considerations. Each application will be considered separately by the convener and executive committee.

Application Form for Additional Entry at the NSWPSSA Athletics Championship

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