Allora right behind its first Olympian

Allora community come out to support its first Olympian

Rio Olympian Matthew Denny, girlfriend Mia Cunningham and Allora Sports Museum president Perry Cronin after the presentation to Denny from the Allora community. Picture: Gerard Walsh

ATHLETICS: Coach Grahame Pitt paid tribute to the work ethic of Matthew Denny at a function to wish Allora's first Olympian all the best at Rio de Janeiro.

Pitt and his squad of throwers from Toowoomba joined with a large contingent of Allora residents to wish Matthew all the best.

He recalled the time when Matthew was last in a throwing event at the state school championships.

"His mother Karen asked me to coach him and I had a lot of athletes at the time and said 'just one session'," Pitt recalls.

"I recall his love of training and his desire to learn."

During the first session, Pitt said he was impressed, not by the potential, but the work ethic of the athlete from Allora.

Pitt brought his 2009 diary to the function and read his notes from that Tuesday which included comments that Matthew was too tall in the circle and landed flat footed.

One session became two and next Saturday, athlete and coach will be on the plane with the Australian team to a pre-Olympic camp in the US and then Rio de Janeiro.

On Saturday, the Allora community and his many supporters contributed to a ring which was presented to Matthew by Allora Sports Museum president Perry Cronin along with a copy of his selection letter and air ticket to the Olympics which were framed and presented to the athlete.

Cronin paid tribute to Matthew and the support of his parents and pointed out Rio was only the beginning.

Pitt said it had been a privilege to work with Matthew.

"He has a wonderful support system from his parents."

Soon after joining the Pitt squad, Matthew started winning medals at state and national level.

He was supported on the night by five of his siblings, extended family and girlfriend Mia Cunningham, who is eighth in Australia in open ranks in javelin.

MC for the evening was close family friend and former top rugby league player John Cowley who is one of the first to congratulate Matthew when he reaches another milestone.

Cowley pointed out that in addition to securing a spot in the Olympic team with a qualifying throw in discus beyond 65m, the Allora thrower is national discus and hammer throwing champion at the age of 20.

Matthew's father John Denny spoke at the function and barbecue to express his gratitude for all the support to his youngest son, especially coach Pitt.

John recalled putting down a throwing circle at the family property at Allora and noticed this week that the date of construction on the throwing circle was July 30,2011.

"Exactly five years after we constructed the circle, Matthew will fly out to the Olympics," John said.

Matthew said he would always be the thrower from Allora.

"I remember everyone who has encouraged me along the way to the Olympics," he said.

"I am part of the best throwing group in Australia," he said.

Matthew will compete in discus throwing at the Olympics on August 12 (Rio time) and hopes to finish in the top 12 and compete in the final the next day.

The constant theme on Saturday night was that Rio was only the beginning.

Olympic 1984 hurdler Don Wright was at the function to support a fellow track and field competitor.

■ SOUTHERN Downs fans have the chance to support Allora Olympian Matthew Denny as he fine tunes his training for the trip to Rio de Janeiro next month.

Denny is the first Olympian from Allora and the second in the sport of athletics from the Southern Downs.

Athletics will be part of the second week of the Olympics after swimming takes a lot of the focus in the first week.

To support Denny, make a deposit online to WCU Account

BSB 817001

Acc No. 100003882

Acc Name Matthew Denny To Rio

or make a deposit at WCU branches in Palmerin St, Allora, Killarney and Inglewood.