![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/02\/Surf-Coast-Little-Aths-group-with-Libby-Coker-1024x613.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nThe fledgling Surf Coast Little Athletics group has welcomed $1000 of seed funding allocated by Federal Member for Corangamite Libby Coker.<\/p>\n
The club, which is currently based at Torquay P-6 Primary College on Grossmans Road, hit the ground running last November when more than 400 children attended the launch day.<\/p>\n
The funding will be used to buy much-needed equipment and was a welcome boost for founding president Claire Osborn who has been a driver behind the establishment of the club.<\/p>\n
Ms Osborn said Little Athletics was fabulous for children to develop foundation skills and to network.<\/p>\n
“The last couple of years with COVID many community activities have been cancelled. This is a good healthy way for kids to get back involved again,” she said.<\/p>\n
“It has been wonderful to see the community backing the club. We now have an amazing foundation committee with lots of enthusiasm.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ms Coker – herself a former ‘Little Aths’ participant – attended a Surf Coast Little Athletics meet on Saturday (January 29) where she chatted with the children and parents, before presenting the $1000 of seed funding.<\/p>\n
The MP praised Ms Osborn who she said had worked hard to build the club up from nothing, with the help of a team of parent volunteers.<\/p>\n
“The fledgling club has only held six Saturday morning athletic meets so far, yet there is already 100 paid-up members. That speaks volumes about the need in the community,” she said.<\/p>\n
“I took part in ‘Little Aths’ as a child and it was great fun – good to keep active and connect with other kids. It was also a way for parents to meet and develop lifelong friendships.<\/p>\n
“For a rapidly growing area like Torquay, it gives young families who move into the area a place to connect.”<\/p>\n
Ms Coker said she was thrilled to announce seed funding for the club which was growing rapidly and played an important role in the community.<\/p>\n
“It’s important to encourage positive initiatives like this. Seeing the enthusiasm of the kids and parents was wonderful,” she said.<\/p>\n
“The club is already growing rapidly so it may soon need a new home. I know that it aims to have its own facilities ultimately.”<\/p>\n
People interested in finding out more about the Surf Coast Little Athletics Club can head to the club’s website.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The fledgling Surf Coast Little Athletics group has welcomed $1000 of seed funding allocated by Federal Member for Corangamite Libby Coker. The club, which is currently based at Torquay P-6 Primary College on Grossmans Road, hit the ground running last November when more than 400 children attended the launch day. The funding will be used […]<\/p>\n