For the next five-weeks Coles Little Athletics Australia will be announcing four NEW inductees into the prestigious Coles Little Athletics Australia Hall of Fame – 2021. As well as the 2021 Coles LAA Official of the year.
All inductees and the Official of the Year will be formally recognised at the 2022 Australian Little Athletics Championships.
TRACK & FIELD - James Turner
Our first inductee into the Track and Field Category is Paralympian and World Para Athletic Champion – James Turner.
James Turner started his athletics career as an under 12 Athlete with Forster Tuncurry Little Athletics.
Over the years he won numerous medals at Little Athletics State Championships, and the medals didn’t stop.
James came away from the Rio Paralympics with yet another Gold medal, where he won in a world record time and by over 7 seconds in the T36 800m.
Continuing his winning from, he took home Gold in 200m, 400m & 800m at the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships, where he backed this up also winning Gold in the T36 100m and 400m – both breaking world records at the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships.
At the most recent Tokyo Paralympics 2020, Turner came home with yet another Gold and a new games record for T36 400m, and a silver 100m.
Congratulations on all your achievements James.
TRACK & FIELD - Nicola McDermott
Our second inductee into the Track and Field Category is Tokyo 2020 silver medallist – Nicola McDermott
Nicola started athletics as an under 8 in 2004 with Gosford Little Athletic Club on the Central Coast of New South Wales.
The following year in under 9, she was introduced to High Jump and in 2007 as an Under 10, claimed Gold at the LANSW State Championships in a jump of 1.36m.
Nicola still holds several Gosford Little Athletics High Jump Records, as well a host of Gold medals as she won the jump in 2007,2011 & 2012 at the NSW State Track & Field Championships.
Over the years Nicola has continued her outstanding form where her results have landed her to represent Australia at 2014 World Junior Championships, compete at the 2015 World University Games, and debuted at World Championships in 2017.
Nicola won her first Diamond League Competition in Belgium in September 2020.
In 2021 Nicola broke the Australian Record at the Australian Track & Field Championships, where she also donated her Coles prize to her Little Athletics Centre – Gosford.
Nicola went on to come away from Tokyo 2020 with a silver medal, as well as an Australian National & Oceania Record of 2.02m. This performance made her the first Australian to win a women’s jump medal since 1964.
Congratulations on all your achievements Nicola.
VOLUNTEER CATEGORY - Nicole Lopes
Our third inductee into the Volunteer Category is Little Athletics Victoria Volunteer – Nicole Lopes.
Nicole has been a Little Athletics Victoria for over 21 years, starting in 2000 at Waverley LAC as an assistant age group leader. Nicole has a vast list of roles at Centre, Regional, State & National levels.
From age group leader, to relay coach, to Championship Team Manager. To Meet Manager at various regional events, as well as a key official – at centre, regional and State Level, to Meet Manager Chief at the 2014 ALAC.
Nicole was awarded LAV Life Governor for the 2020/2021 season, and husband Stephen Lopes was awarded LAVIC Life Governor in 2016, making the Lopes’ the 5th husband & wife combination to have earned LAVIC Life Governor Awards.
Nicole & Steve were also awarded the first recipients of the SMR Life Memberships in 20/21.
We thank Nicole for all her outstanding contributions to the Little Athletics over the years.
VOLUNTEER CATEGORY - Heather Mitchell
Our fourth inductee into the Volunteer Category is Little Athletics New South Wales Volunteer – Heather Mitchell.
Heather Mitchell is a long standing and life member of Port Hacking Little Athletics where she first attended with her children on its open day.
Heather has held many roles at centre, zone, state & National level. From her first involvement at Port Hacking, to becoming delegate to the zone, various Competition Management roles, Centre Officer for Officials, Team Manager, Secretary, President (22 years) and Championships Officer until 2019, and LANSW Technical Advisor for 16 years. As well as being a part of the Trans-Tasman Committee since 1984.
Heather’s most significant contribution to the sport has been in race walking, most notably as a Walk’s Judge and Officials educator.
Heather has been awarded LANSW Merit Award in 1993, Life Membership in 1998, has been on the LANSW Board, and part of the LANSW/ANSW Joint Officials Committee.
More recently – Heather joined the LAA Board as well.
We thank Heather for her enormous commitment to Little Athletics over the years.
OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR - Brett Gillow
Our 2021 Coles Little Athletics Australia Official of the Year is Little Athletics Tasmania Official – Brett Gillow.
Brett’s involvement with Little Athletics has spanned over 29 years, first as an athlete, then as a parent. Centre Committee member and LATAS Board member. He is former President, Education & Publicity Officer of the South Launceston LAC, where he served on the committee for a total of 10 years.
Brett volunteers and officiates at all state meets in Tasmania, working on both the administration of the events, as well as a field & track referee as required.
Each season LATAS conduct three regional All State Meets and three Championship events. Brett was present at all three meets in the 20/21 season, travelling right across the state as his own expense to assist in the delivery of these events.
Brett has made an excellent contribution to Official’s education in Tasmania, regularly facilitating Officials courses at Centres, on top off regularly mentoring Officials at State events. He offers his incredible guidance and support as they progress at Centre Level to State Level.
In 2020 LATAS Board bestowed a Distringuished Service Award on Brett for his contribution to Little Athletics in Tasmania.
We thank Brett for all his amazing contributions to the sport of Little Athletics.
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.
