Nina Kennedy recently made headlines after breaking the women’s national record in the pole vault when clearing 4.82m, but breaking records is something that dates back to her days at Perry Lakes Little Athletics (now known as UWALAC).
Falling out of love with gymnastics after doing it from shortly after she learnt to walk, Kennedy’s decision to have a go at Little Athletics when aged 11 now reads as the inception of one of Australia’s top medal hopes at the Tokyo Olympics.
A quick glimpse at the record books is enough to indicate that a young Kennedy was an immense talent, with the Western Australian holding club records in the long jump, 100m, hurdles and even the shot put at one point.
The sport aligned with Kennedy’s driven nature, possessing a thirst for winning that was quenched weekly as she appeared destined to become a decathlete after dominating most events.
But when probed to reflect on her greatest takeaway from Little Athletics, the Australian record holder replied without hesitation – “enjoyment”.
“I begged mum to take me to Little Athletics in Under 11’s and I just loved it so much. I was outside, I was with my friends, and I was doing something I was naturally good at,” she said.
It’s a mindset that hasn’t changed for the soon-to-be Olympian, whose experience in Little Athletics was the first step on a pathway that has led to the upper echelon of her discipline on a global scale.
The versatile junior was not afraid to put her hand up for any event, getting her start in pole vault at the age of 12 and making an impression not long after. Kennedy proceeded to finish in second place of the open aged competition at the Australian Track and Field Championships as a 14-year-old.
Having little to prove at the Little Athletics level after establishing herself as one of the nation’s best pole vaulters, Kennedy still pursued regular competition in the Perry Lakes program out of pure enjoyment all the way through to 2013 – the same year she finished 5th in the final of the IAAF World Youth Championships in Ukraine at 15-years-old.
Kennedy continued her trailblazing run in the following years, finishing 4th at the 2014 IAAF World Under 20 Championships before setting a new world junior record in 2015 – raising her personal best from 4.40m to 4.59m in the one competition.
Picking up a Commonwealth Games bronze medal along the way, the 24-year-old national record holder is only weeks away from her Olympic debut - where she will fulfil the childhood dream hatched at Perry Lakes all those years ago.
“My goal is to make the final and then to place as high as I can and a medal would be a dream come true,” she said.
But the reigning Australian champion has a simple message for Little Athletes around the country.
“Do it if you enjoy it. If you’re having fun and you’re with your friends then you should stick at it because who knows where it could take you,” she said.
Nina Kennedy is Australia’s pole vault sensation who once believed she was a shot put and hurdles champion, making her a prime example of the great things that can happen when you #HaveAGo.
To find more about the Australian Olympic Committee’s #HaveAGo campaign and to get involved in athletics, visit https://www.athletics.com.au/have-a-go/
By Lachlan Moorhouse
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.
