WHAT IS AAU TRACK & FIELD?

The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is one of the largest youth sports organizations in the United States. In track and field, AAU sanctions hundreds of local, district, regional, and national meets each year — including the pathway to the AAU Junior Olympic Games.

For Stride Nation Elite athletes, AAU membership is required before competing in sanctioned meets. Parents register athletes directly at aausports.org, select track & field as the sport, and add Stride Nation Elite as the club. Membership is annual and must be current at check-in.

AAU age divisions are based on the athlete's age on December 31 of the competition year — not grade alone. This keeps competition fair and aligns with national qualifying standards.

Benefits for families include a structured meet calendar, insurance coverage through membership, and a clear pathway from local meets to district, regional, and national championships.

If you're new to youth track, start with our Parent Guide for a full overview of costs, meet days, and registration — then follow the four-step Join page to get your athlete meet-ready.