Michaela Meade
Northern Stars Little Athletics Club hopes the Tokyo Olympic Games will inspire more kids to give athletics a try.
Many of the athletics events on display at the Olympics are available for young hopefuls to try at Northern Stars.
Committee member Paul McCallum said that Northern Stars offers a new experience every time.
“Each week athletes get to compete in four to five events – long jump, discus, shot put, triple jump, javelin, high jump, 100 metre to 1500 metre races, race walking – all these events that we’ve been watching on TV competed in at the Olympics,” McCallum said.
“[We are] a fun, family friendly club run by dedicated volunteers for over 35 years, that welcomes and caters for girls and boys aged five to 15 years of all abilities and disabilities.
“The Northern Stars Little Athletics Club believes that enjoyment, personal development and personal bests, family, fun and fitness are the most important aspects of Little Athletics and that winning is not everything.”
McCallum said that while every child gets a chance to celebrate their own personal wins, there have been a few past members at Northern Stars who have excelled on a larger stage.
“Recent successes of Northern Stars athletes at Victorian State Championships included 12 of our athletes competing at a state level,” he said.
Three past members won medals at the state level, including Hayley Sposato (2021 Gold Medal State Champion under-14 girls’ High Jump), Kirra Wright (2021 Vic State Silver Medal in the 100 metre and Long Jump Multi Class), and Matilda Simcox (2021 Vic State Bronze Medal in the under-11 girls Walk).
Northern Stars Little Athletics Club competes at the Whittlesea City Little Athletics Centre in Epping.
Details: www.facebook.com/northernstarslittleathletics/
