Coles awards $250,000 to Little Athletics centres

Coles has awarded $250,000 in grants to 72 Little Athletics Centres through its Little Athletics Community Fund to support the purchase of essential items such as high jump mats, defibrillators, and laptops.

The announcement aligns with new figures from Little Athletics Australia showing a 16 per cent rise in participation over the past year, driven largely by a 33 per cent increase in the Tiny Tots program for 3 to 5-year-olds.

Over the last five seasons, total participation has expanded by over 40 percent, involving more than 96,000 children and 74,000 community volunteers, coaches, and officials, positioning Little Athletics as one of the country’s most widely supported junior sports programs.

Australia’s strong performance at the Paris Olympics notably contributed to the surge in participation, marking the third-highest post-Olympic boost in 40 years, following the London 2012 and Sydney 2000 Games. Looking ahead to the upcoming home Olympic Games, Coles has extended its partnership with Little Athletics for three years to further back the program.

As part of its renewed partnership with Little Athletics, Coles launched two initiatives to help grassroot clubs and centres: the annual Banana A-Peel fundraiser, where 5 cents from every kilo of Cavendish bananas sold at Coles until October 21 goes to Little Athletics Australia, up to a maximum of $150,000; and the updated Coles Little Athletics Tiny Tots program for children aged three and above.

Brandon Starc, three-time Olympian and Coles ambassador, visited Parramatta City Little Athletics to unveil a new high jump mat purchased through a $5,000 grant from the Coles Little Athletics Community Fund. The Australian high jump record holder and Commonwealth Games medallist expressed his enthusiasm for the continued development of Little Athletics.

“Little Athletics is where so many Australian champions get their start, and it’s fantastic to see Coles backing kids from their very first steps on the track. As a father myself, I’m starting to think about which sports to get my kids involved in and Little Athletics is of course on top of the list because both my wife and I have experienced it and know the value and impact it has on kids’ health and social skills,” said Starc.

Myles Foreman, CEO of Little Athletics Australia, stated that the sport is set for stable advancement, citing recent achievements on and off the track and field.

“Grassroots Little Athletics Centres are the heartbeat of our sport. The sustained upward trend in participation over the past five years is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our 74,000 volunteers across the country, as well as the ongoing efforts of our State and Territory Member Associations who deliver quality programs to thousands of young athletes,” said Foreman.

“Last season’s increase in registrations was further boosted by the inspiring performances at the Paris Games, igniting enthusiasm among young athletes and their families. We are hopeful that this momentum will continue following the recent Athletics and Para-Athletics World Championships, where more than 70 former Little Athletes competed on the world stage — including gold medallists Nicola Olyslagers and James Turner.”

Jace Armstrong, Acting Group Corporate and Indigenous Affairs Officer at Coles, highlighted the company’s pride in its enduring partnership with Little Athletics.

“Coles’ partnership with Little Athletics is built on mutual values and goals to help kids and local communities thrive and grow. Since 2017, Coles has donated more than 6 million bananas and over $2.8 million in sports equipment grants to help kids stay fit and be active. We’re excited to play a role in fostering the next generation of Australian athletes for another three years,” said Armstrong.

Alongside its national partnership with Little Athletics Australia, Coles also has partnered with Football Australia’s MiniRoos and the AFL’s Healthy Kicks to promote healthy habits and choices for children.