Olympian inspires juniors to pick up javelin

Mackay juniors were treated to a super star coaching clinic at the weekend when Olympic javelin thrower Josh Robinson visited the region.

North Mackay Little Athletics centre manager Tristan Bone said it was the first time the juniors had been exposed to this level of coaching.

"The kids are very excited to have an Olympic athlete come up,” Bone said.

Robinson took his time posing for photos for his young fans and it was difficult to see who was more excited.

"I still remember when Olympians came to visit me in primary school, so I hope these kids remember me for the same reason,” he said.

Robinson gave the Mackay juniors a master class in javelin throwing. But the one thing he wants them to take away is a love of sport.

"Not just athletics but sport in general,” he said.

"The kids up here have so much enthusiasm got getting outdoors, it's great.”

Robinson said it was surreal being a role model and someone junior athletes looked up to.

"I don't make the world a better place, I just throw sticks,” he said.

"But to see some of theses kids look up to me as an Olympian, it puts me back in my place too. It makes me feel like I have done something to hopefully inspire someone else to try javelin.”

He said it was great to be able to give back to the sport that has presented him with so many opportunities.

"I gave a pin to a volunteer in Rio and you could see him tear up,” Robinson said.

"It's those times you realise you can actually affect people in a positive way.”

Growing up, Robinson said he was always a competitive kid who played all kinds of sport.

He started out playing cricket as a fast bowler and didn't pick up a javelin until he was in Year 8.

"My dad showed me which was the front and back and I haven't looked back since,” he said.

He has been recovering from surgery on both his ankles since competing in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

While he said he would have loved to compete in the World Cup next month, he is focussing all of his energy on the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Story of the Torch

Robinson said he found a Portuguese website that was auctioning off the Olympic torches after the Rio Olympics.

He managed to get one and knows of only two in all of Australia.

He said it sits on his shelf at home to remind him of how hard he persevered in order to compete in Rio.

Members Associations

Memberships

Partners

© 2024 Little Athletics Australia Limited
(ACN 632 256 181).
All rights reserved.

Coles Little Athletics Australia acknowledges and pays respect to all traditional custodians of the lands of which we work, run, jump and throw throughout Australia. We pay respect to elders both past, present and emerging.

We are committed to a positive future for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and to honor their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this country and recognize the role and value of culture.