Little Athletics is off to a running start

ONE hundred and forty-two kids from Leongatha, Wonthaggi and surrounding areas hit the start lines for the first Little Athletics program of the season on Saturday. 

All the kids get a chance to try each of the athletic disciplines. 

They get to run over various sprint distances, jump in long jump, triple jump, high jump and hurdles, and try their hand at throwing in shotput and discus.

With five different events each week, over a three-week cycle, the kids get a feel for what they are good at, what they like and what they can achieve in each field.

Little Athletics also has an on-track program for the little ones under six and now goes up to cater for the under 17’s cohort, with all ages in between.

Everyone gets to compete in their respective age and gender groups and the aim of the game is for the kids to try and beat their personal best each time. 

“I think they just get love getting out there and running and jumping, throwing, and the aim is to do well and win the race, but it’s definitely not what we focus on,” Ben Cruickshank, President of Leongatha Little Athletics said.

“It is setting a PB, so getting a personal best.”

As the program cycle runs over three weeks, the athletes won’t be able to achieve a personal best until the fourth week, because they’ve got to have a result for the season down.  

“The thing I love about it is that the athlete that either jumped in fifth (place) or threw fifth or ran fifth place, they’re the ones running around with their hands in the air because they might have got their personal best when no one else did,” Ben said.

Focusing on achieving a personal best helps to make the athletics all-inclusive and while some of the kids love burning down the main straight in the sprint, everyone can be involved and find something they are good at, commented Ben.

Many new faces and members have joined the Leongatha Club this season and it’s also great for the parents because the event is very labour intensive - with an official at each station – so parents can get involved, rather than just watching. 

The Little Athletics season runs up until Christmas, breaks in January, and then runs until the end of March. 

Children can still be signed up as trial members at Leongatha and Wonthaggi Little Athletics. 

They are welcome to try it out for two weeks, before a financial commitment is needed.

For more information go to: lavic.com.au or Leongatha or Wonthaggi Little Athletics Facebook pages for direct queries.