Coastal Districts Athletics Club wins both boys and girls junior Bay Sheffield sprint titles
An athletics club in Adelaide’s west is establishing itself as a breeding ground for young sprinting talent after taking out both boys and girls Bay Sheffield crowns.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Tomas Semmler claims the Bay Sheffield Gift
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
A desire to get fitter, shake off injuries and try a new sport has paid dividends for Aidan Konopka – winning the junior boys Bay Sheffield sprint in December after less than three months of competition.
Aidan, 15, pulled off his stunning victory after being convinced by good mate Charlie Hildyard (the 2018 Stawell under-18 800m winner) to come out to the Coastal Districts Athletic Club where Charlie’s dad Luke Hildyard was coach.
After competing at four lead-in meetings, beginning in October, the PHOS Camden footballer headed to the Bay Sheff meeting with confidence. There, he won his heat and semi-final before taking out the 120m final in 13.064 seconds off 9.75m.
Aidan, of Novar Gardens, said it had been a whirlwind few months.
“Basically I had injuries and just wanted to get fit and try something new,’’ Aidan said.
“I am good mates with Charlie at Sacred Heart College and he suggested I try athletics at his club.
“One thing led to another and I gave it a go.
“It's been great.
“For the time being I’m not sure where athletics will go for me – it’s just a week by week process.”
Not content with one Bay Sheff junior winner Coastal Districts, based at North Brighton, also produced the girls’ winner.
Katie Woodmore, 16, claimed the victory, while clubmate Max Disbury took out the 14-year-old sprint.
Katie, of Hallett Cove, and a Year 11 student at Woodcroft College, said she had been more settled in her routine this past season.
“I have been running for a couple of years but this season has been much better compared to my first season with my training, handicaps and results,” Katie said.
“I would have been happy just to make the semi-finals so to win was a real surprise.
“The atmosphere at the Bay was so amazing.
“We have a great club with everyone so supportive.’’
The talented volleyballer is hoping to make the trip to Stawell at Easter when Coastal competes there.
Another Woodcroft College student, Cloe Griffiths, won the women’s 70m event at the Bay.
Coach Hildyard, an athlete who has been involved in coaching for 15 years, said all athletes played a big part in each other’s success.
“At Coastals we encourage all members to support each other; this is evidenced at every meet and in training where our young athletes cheer each other on, genuinely wanting success for every Club member,’’ Hildyard said.
Coastal Districts, established in 2009, has 55 registered athletes.
The club won 25 races in 2019 (160 overall), including three at the Bay Sheffield Carnival and two at the Stawell Gift meet.