Athletics season kicks off
BY JEM ANSHAW
What kid doesn’t love to run, jump and throw things from time to time?
With the new season Little Athletics season set to start in Muswellbrook, it is time to get them in on the action.
At Little Athletics kids get to take part in running events, shot-put, discus, long jump, high jump and javelin, alternating activities each week.
Club president Jason Martin said that while results are recorded the competition is more focused on beating personal bests, rather than winning.
“We find that most kids just like to have a good time with their friends, but they do want to know how they went, asking ‘what was my time, was that better than last week?’, so they do get engaged with that,” he told The Hunter River Times.
“You can have that opportunity to go to Regionals or State, but if you don’t want to do that you can just have a bit of fun with your friends, it’s however you want to go, how hard you want to push.”
During the off season the committee have been busy organising a new shipping container to store current and additional gear to help the kids develop their skills.
Registrations for Muswellbrook Little Athletics are now open, with the season set to kick off next Tuesday at Weeraman Fields.
Martin said that last year they had around 160 participants and are hoping to match or improve on that this season.
There will be a few changes this year in an effort to take some weight off the limited committee, the main one being the need for nominated helpers for each age group.
These helpers will only need to help guide the kids through the events and record scores, but are required to have a working with children check.
NSW Government covid restrictions also apply, with full vaccination required for everyone over 16 at this point in time.
For more information look up Muswellbrook Little Athletics Centre on Facebook.