Tara Murray
Craigieburn Little Athletics Centre has received a boost after receiving a funding grant from Coles.
Centre president Brooke Johnson said the new equipment which will be purchased with the grant will improve experiences of athletes and volunteers.
“It will mainly help look after the safety of the young athletes,” Ms Johnson said.
“For many, the equipment can be a bit daunting to start with, so it will help with more user-friendly equipment to help introduce them to the events before they have to compete.
The money will go towards flexible high jump bars, foam discus and hot puts and items such as line marking tape, tables and chairs.
Ms Johnson said the funding was even more important this year, with COVID-19 meaning they are unlikely to be able to do much fundraising.
She said they were hoping the centre, which has been about for nearly 50 years, could start its new season in November if restrictions are eased.
“Last year we had 130 registererd athletes from under-6s through to under-16s,” she said.
“We missed out on the last couple of weeks of last season, we didn’t get to have our championship day.
“We’re ready to go and organised for this season. It all depends on Daniel Andrews. It’s just about trying to get kids outdoors again.”
Ms Johnson said they were always looking for new members, volunteers and sponsors.
The centre was one of 158 sports clubs across Australia to share in $521,000 for equipment from the latest round of the Coles Little Athletics Community Fund, which was established two years ago to support little athletes hoping to follow in the footsteps of champions like Sally Pearson.
