Friendships formed on development tour

BACCHUS Marsh Little Athletics Centre’s Mathilde Grant has been in New Zealand taking part in the North Island Colgate Games in Hastings.

The trip was part of the Little Athletics Victoria 2025 Development Tour for under-14 and under-15 age groups.

Grant, who specialises in discus and shotput, said that although she did not perform as well as she hoped, it was a great experience in a new place.

“I had an event every single day for three days and I didn’t do as well as I hoped but it was a different environment,” she said.

During the tour, Grant formed friendships with athletes from around the state.

She said that was one of the highlights.

“I want to get to states [competitions] so I can see my friends again from the tour,” she said.

Despite the event being a competition, Grant’s mother Alli Grant said it was great to see the sportsmanship between the group.

“The sportsmanship I saw… really lovely to see a group of kids from all over Victoria who had never met each other before encouraging each other,” she said.

“For a group of 13- and 14-year-olds that were away from home and away from their families, they made me proud as a Victorian team that they carried themselves so well.”

The tour cost $4000 and Grant received support from various sources including the Member for Eureka Michaela Settle, the Community Bank Bacchus Marsh, and her great grandmother.

“I am really grateful and really proud that I could go because I had the support from Bacchus Marsh,” she said.