Mt Druitt Little Athletics has finally received much-needed new high jump flop bags

Mt Druitt athletes welcome new flop bags making their sport much safer

Members of Mt Druitt Little Athletics celebrating the club's new high jump flop bags.

Mt Druitt Little Athletics sports stars are jumping for joy this week after receiving new high jump flop bags.

The $6640 bags were purchased thanks to a Stronger Communities Grant from the Federal Government and months of fundraising efforts by the club, which included raffles, barbecues and a colour run.

Club president Ronald Pollett said: ”The flop mats that we have been using up until now are over 20 years old and they are showing their age.

“About 10 years ago, with the introduction of the under-17s age group, Little Athletics NSW changed the standard size for high jump bag sets to 5m x 3m, meaning both our sets were too small.

The club hopes that the bags will not only make high jump safer but also attract new athletes to Mt Druitt Little Athletics.

“It wasn’t unusual to see the odd athlete clear the bar and then roll straight off the edge of the bags, especially when the under-17 age group were jumping.”

Pollett said he was hopeful that the new bags would make the high jump safer and attract new members.

“The new high jump set’s modern design, larger landing area and cool mesh cover should help make high jumping much safer,” he said.

“We also hope that they will encourage more athletes, who may have been put off by the old bags ... to high jump more confidently.”