Williamstown Little Athletics Centre is gearing up for its 47th season.
It’s one of the oldest clubs in Victoria and shows no signs of weakening, with more than 300 youngsters enrolled in track and field this summer.
“We were the ninth of 104 centres to be created in Victoria,” WLAC president John Gilbert said.
“We started way back in 1967, so we’ve got a good history of little athletics in Williamstown.
“Our role is to provide athletic events to the children aged five to 15 and help with the transition from little athletics through to seniors.”
Gilbert has enjoyed an 11-year association with Williamstown, starting when his two children began competing.
His passion for the club has led to his holding various positions on the committee. He’s in his third year as president.
“It’s one of those sports where parents can really be close to their kids, watch them compete and develop and take an interest in their sport, rather than just dump them off and go for a coffee, read a newspaper and pick them up at the end,” Gilbert said.
“It’s pretty enriching in terms of being involved in their kids’ development and seeing them learn and improve, and be on hand when they produce a good result.”
Little Athletics clubs rely heavily on volunteers, especially parents.
“We depend on the parents each week to successfully run the program,” Gilbert said.
“The duties aren’t too onerous. We’re talking about raking the sand in the long jump pit, measuring distances and starting and recording times.”
Williamstown’s home base is the Newport Park Athletics Track, by the picturesque Strand.
Gilbert says the club is served well by an all-weather synthetic track kept in good nick by the local council. “We’ve got some great facilities.”
While there’s a focus on fitness and fun, the club always encourages its young members to aim for regional and state competitions.
There’s also a major focus on helping the kids in the older age groups make the jump from little athletics to senior competition.
“We need to focus on both the younger ones from five or six through to 10 or 11, but also the older ones just before they turn to senior athletics,” Gilbert said.
“It’s a different sort of competition in seniors and it can be a little bit intimidating.”
The Williamstown centre will hold a come and try day on Saturday from 8.30am.
