By Brendan Rees
Cranbourne’s Little Athletics were inspired to go for gold after rubbing shoulders with an Australian Olympian.
More than 100 new little athletes attended a ‘come and try night’ on Friday 29 September at the Casey Fields Athletic Track with Olympic long jumper Brooke Stratton – who finished seventh at the 2016 Rio de Janerio Olympics and narrowly, missed the final at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing – dropping in to provide a clinic for the little future stars.
Cranbourne Little Athletics Centre secretary Nina O’Dea said it was an exciting atmosphere with children sampling an array of track and field events including 100, 800, and 400 metre sprints, shotput and long jump.
“Brooke Stratton demonstrated and held a short long jump clinic for the athletes and was gracious in her time and support for the club. We look forward to an ongoing partnership with her as the season progresses.”
Ms O’Dea said many of the children and their parents were excited to see how the track and field events unfolded, and it gave them all a taste of what was to come when the season begins next Saturday 7 October.
“The coaching team at Cranbourne Little Athletics were on hand to help guide and teach the skills of the events to the little athletes, and it was wonderful to see many of the athletes walking away from their event with giant smiles with their achievements and sharing that with their family.”
She said people inquiring about their Multi Class Team for athletes with an intellectual or physical disability was “explosive,” despite just a week remaining before the season starts.
“This was a new concept to Little Athletics in Victoria last season, and was a huge success, so we will be continuing and expanding this area of our club this season starting 7 October.”
“We have doubled our numbers since last season, and hope to introduce athletics disciplines to children with all abilities across the season.”
Ms Stratton made her first junior international team in long jump at the age of 16.
“It’s great to be down here and seeing so many young kids enjoying themselves. At the end of the day that’s what’s it’s all about when you’re young – come out here and have fun with your friends,” she said.
“I think it’s really important to have people like myself down here inspiring the young kids because I was in their position when I was young. I was inspired by Cathy Freeman to get to that Olympic level. I trained my butt off from when I started in under-six at Nunawading Athletics Club. I’ve been doing it ever since and I love it and that’s why I’m still doing it.”
Little Athletics is open to athletes from Under 6 to Under 15s.
Kids compete in their age group and gender for a set program each week that will consist of a minimum of four and often five events. Each program is made up of a combination of running, throwing and jumping events. Registration is still open for the next season. Registrations are available online at www.lavic.com.au. For more information visit www.cranbournelac.com.au or email cranbourne@lavic.com.au.
