Young Territory athletes were given new equipment to get a running start on athletics as part of a national initiative.
Last week Coles delivered the Northern Territory’s first order of sports equipment to Darwin Athletics Club, part of a donation of more than $800,000 in sports gear to hundreds to Little Athletics clubs across the country. Funds were raised through the sale of Coles Community Chiller Bags.
Olympian Sally Pearson delivered javelins, shot-puts, discuses and training aids to the Darwin Athletics Club, which received a $3600 grant.
“I’ve seen quite a bit of talent here over the last few days which is good,” Pearson said.
“Being active is something really special and this equipment is only going to help them improve or even boost participation even more.”
She had advice for the Territory’s aspiring sportspeople.
“For the junior athletes coming through it’s more about giving every event a go and seeing where their talents really lie or their passion really lies and really being apart of the whole sport,” she said.
“When you’re younger it’s all about learning it and getting stronger and getting better at each one.”
Athletics NT board president James Sheridan was excited by the possibilities the equipment gave athletes.
“It gives the club and athletes opportunities to have great equipment, to hone their skills and have fun and develop,” he said.
“The whole concept behind Little Athletics is getting involved and being with friends and those who want path- ways. It’s catering for all.”
Coles regional manager Daniel Clegg was thrilled to help deliver the equipment.
“I’m immensely proud to be working with Little Athletics Australia and having the absolute pleasure to distribute funds to our community,” he said. “Being part of the community we operate in is really important to Coles ”
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.
Little Athletics Australia
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