What’s happening?
Australian athletics champions are returning to their roots, inspiring young athletes by visiting Little Athletics Centres across the nation as part of the Coles Community Round, which runs from 6 to 19 November.
The initiative will see stars like Paris gold medallists Nina Kennedy and James Turner, along with Olympic and Paralympic champions such as Matthew Denny, Kelsey-Lee Barber, Jaryd Clifford, and Sally Pearson OAM, visiting over 60 centres.
They’ll provide training tips, nutritional guidance, and participate in fun, banana-themed races with the kids. The Coles ambassadors will also distribute new equipment funded by the Coles Little Athletics Community Fund.
Why it Matters?
For many young athletes, Coles Community Round offers a rare opportunity to connect with sports heroes who began their journeys in grassroots athletics.
“Paris was such a rollercoaster ride, and it’s always humbling to go back to community clubs and see the pure joy these kids have for track and field,” shared Jaryd Clifford, who will visit Diamond Valley Little Athletics Centre.
“It’s a reminder that athletics is first and foremost about having fun and being the best athlete you can be, rather than medals and accolades.”
By The Numbers
- $2.5 million provided by Coles in sports equipment grants to Little Athletics Centres since 2017.
- 5 million bananas donated to help fuel young athletes and promote healthy eating.
- Nearly 300 Centres across Australia are hosting events for Coles Community Round this year, the highest participation to date.
Zoom in
Jaryd Clifford, a dual World Champion and world record holder, will be making his first community appearance since his achievements at the Paris Paralympics, where he narrowly missed adding to his Tokyo medal haul.
Clifford shared, “Coles Community Round is such a great opportunity to return to where it all started for myself and many other athletes.”
Zoom Out
Coles Little Athletics Australia CEO, Myles Forman, reported a record interest in this year’s round, attributed to the high calibre of ambassadors participating.
“Coles Community Round has been a feature of the Little Athletics calendar over the past four years… it’s pleasing to see its popularity continue to grow,” said Forman.
Nearly 300 centres will host events as part of this year’s initiative.
Local Impact
The ambassadors’ visits are set to bolster the excitement and motivation of young athletes across Australia, fostering the next generation of track and field stars while celebrating the values of fitness and community.
For the full schedule of ambassador appearances, visit the Little Athletics Australia website.
