NSW Little Athletics: NRL guns, Olympians, cricketers who competed, kids to watch at states

James Tedesco, Nicola McDermott, Payne Haas, Mike Whitney - all athletes who starred at NSW Little Athletics in the past. Now meet a new generation of rising stars racing this weekend.

Some of the NSW sporting greats who started in Little Athletics.

It’s a sporting event that has featured future rugby league stars, Olympians and Australian cricketers and netballers in the past. Now a new generation of rising stars will contest the NSW Little Athletics state titles this weekend.

It’s also been a breeding ground of Australian sporting talent for more than half a century with top NRL players and Olympians among the graduates of Little Athletics programs across the state.

LITTLE ATHLETICS DAY 1 STANDOUTS

In it’s 51 year history, more than half a million athletes have participated in NSW Little Athletics Associations.

NSW SPORTING GREATS WHO STARRED IN LITTLE ATHLETICS

According to track and field athletics historian David Tarbotton the likes of Tokyo Olympians Nicola McDermott, Rohan Browning, Jessica Hull and Bendere Oboya, Games walkers Jane and Natalie Saville, cricketer Mike Whitney, Australian netballers Gabi Simpson, Kim Green and Sue Kenny and NRL stars like Craig Wing and John Sutton from the Rabbitohs all competed at past meets.

Rugby league players who all did Little Athletics in NSW.

Triple Olympian Melinda Gainsford-Taylor, whose children now compete, also cut her teeth in Little Athletics along with hurdler Michelle Jenneke, Olympic champion Chloe Esposito Olympic cyclist Ashlee Ankudinoff, Matilda Alanna Kennedy and past and present NRL players like Chris Lawrence, Jamal Idris, Luke Rooney Beau Champion and John Sutton.

Even Penrith coach Ivan Cleary competed, winning a state long jump title as an U9 and U10 young gun.

Grace Krause from Temora after winning the 200m sprint final at the NSW Juniors.

NSW LITTLE ATHLETICS YOUNG GUNS TO WATCH

Now its time for a new generation to shine.

This weekend 2567 kids will compete across 300 plus events on Saturday and Sunday at Sydney Olympic Park.

These are some of the young guns to keep your eye out for.

Chelsy Wayne Discus Wollongong City U15B

Grace Krause 200m, TJ & LJ Temora U15G

Maiya Hewitt TJ, LJ, Kiama U13G

Delta Amidzovski 100m Hurdles & LJ Wollongong City U17G

Marnie Laurence 60m hurdles, 70/100/200m sprints, Eastern Suburbs U10 Girls

Daniel Okerenyang at the NSW All Schools carnival.

Daniel Okerenyang LJ & TJ Kooringal Wagga U15B

Billy Blair 100m Hurdles, 100m sprint, 200m sprint Balmain U15B

Trent Alley 800m, 200m hurdle, 80 metre Hurdle Port Macquarie U13B

Jack Proudford 100m, 200m, LJ Hills District U13B

Isaac Beecroft from Quakers Hill in the steeplechase at the NSW Juniors.

MORE ATHLETICS

THAT’S A WRAP: NSW JUNIORS

TOP SHOT: GALLERY FROM NSW JUNIORS

YOUNG STARS ON THE RISE IN NSW

THE ART OF LITTLE ATHLETICS

OLYMPIAN ROSE DAVIES SURVIVES PUSH AND SHOVE

Isaac Beecroft Quakers Hill U15B

Uchena Egbu LJ, 300m Hurdle, 110m Hurdle Canterbury U17B

Kobe Stewart Long distance events Bankstown U14B

Cody Hancock 100m, 200m Raymond Terrace U17B

Holly Rea 100m, 200m Wollongong City U15G

Cooper Dabin Discus, Shot Put Wagga Wagga U13B

Tickets HERE

Read more from AMANDA LULHAM HERE

Originally published as NSW Little Athletics: NRL guns, Olympians, cricketers who competed, kids to watch at states