More than 35 Australian Little Athletics centres share in $150,000

More than 35 Little Athletics centres from across Australia will share in $150,000 for essential equipment upgrades thanks to the latest round of grants from the Coles Community fund. See who gets what.

Start of the Little Athletics Track and Field season at Landy Field. Picture: Alan Barber

Grassroots Little Athletics centres from across Australia have been handed a major funding boost ahead of the 2023/24 season thanks to the latest round of grants from the Coles Community Fund.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE WHICH CLUBS WILL GET A SHARE

Forty centres from Headland in Western Australia to West Bundaberg in Queensland will share in over $150,000 to purchase a range of essential equipment to support aspiring athletes and volunteers.

Since November 2018, Coles has provided more than $2.4 million in grants for new sports equipment to 469 Little Athletics centres across Australia.

Funds for Round 8 have been raised through the 2023 Coles Little Athletics Banana A-Peel (3 - 9 May 2023) with Coles donating 10 cents of every kilogram of Cavendish bananas sold at its supermarkets to the Coles Little Athletics Community Fund.

Coles ambassador and dual Paralympic medallist Jaryd Clifford said having the right equipment for young athletes is vital in helping them to achieve their best and strive for the next level.

“As a former Little Athlete, I know how important grant programs like the Coles Little Athletics Community Fund are to grassroots centres,” he said.

“Grants like these mean volunteers can focus on helping athletes succeed rather than having to spend their time and energy on fundraising to buy essential equipment,” he said.

Coles General Manager Corporate and Indigenous Affairs Sally Fielke congratulated the latest round of grant recipients.

“Coles is proud to continue our support of grassroots Little Athletics this season through initiatives like the Coles Little Athletics Community Fund, banana donations and the Little Athletics Banana A-Peel,” she said.

“We know the positive impact that Little Athletics has in local communities across Australia and that’s why we’re delighted to provide over $150,000 in funding from the latest round of the Coles Little Athletics Community Fund.”

Coles Little Athletics Australia CEO Myles Foreman said the grants will make a huge difference to volunteers and athletes alike.

“The Coles Little Athletics Community Fund has provided grassroots Little Athletics with much needed financial support over the past five years,” he said.

“These grants have played a vital role in making volunteering easier for parents and helping young athletes to ‘be their best’ by having appropriate and safe equipment for all ages and abilities. It’s made a genuine difference in communities across Australia, and we hope Coles customers can continue to support the Fund by buying a bunch of bananas or two during this year’s Little Athletics Banana A-Peel.”

The announcement of the latest grant recipients also coincides with the launch of the Coles Little Athletics Banana A-Peel starting on National Banana Day on Wednesday, 18 October, with funds raised during the appeal to go towards the next round of Little Athletics grants.

From Wednesday 18 to Tuesday 24 October, Coles, with the support of its Aussie banana growers, will donate 10 cents of every kilogram of Cavendish bananas sold to the Coles Little Athletics Community Fund up to a maximum of $150,000 to help even more centres buy new equipment.

The next batch of eligible Little Athletics Centres can apply from August 2024 for round 9 of the Coles Little Athletics Community Fund.

Originally published as More than 35 Australian Little Athletics centres share in $150,000