Kids invited to get on track, and field

YOUNG athletes from throughout the region are being invited to take part in a come and try day for the local branch of the Corio Little Athletics Centre.

The session will take place at the centre’s regular training grounds at Goldsworthy Reserve in Corio on Friday, 23 September.

Golden Plains is one of five affiliates of the Corio Little Athletics Centre, and president of the local offshoot Heather Parkinson said the day will introduce kids to their offerings.

“They can come along and give our different events a try, and get a feel for what this involves,” she said.

“We have track events like 100 metres and 1500 metres and hurdles, and we have field events like long, triple and high jumps and then throws like shotput, discus and javelin.

“The great thing about it is if a child tries one thing and doesn’t like it then there might be another event that they’re more likely to take to.”

The come and try session is open for children in under 6s and under 17s levels, and the competitive season begins on Saturday, 1 October.

Members of the Golden Plains Little Athletics Club will compete every Saturday at the reserve in the leadup to regional and state events under Little Athletes Victoria.

Ms Parkinson said their come and try day attracts an average of 25 athletes to the local group, and that for many of them the friendships they form are the most important part.

“There’s the obvious benefits of keeping them active and participating in something but really the friendships are just fantastic,” she said.

“It gives them a different friendship base outside of school with kids that might have similar interests to them, so it’s all a real confidence builder as well.”