Little Athletics win big from inaugural Coles Australian Record Challenge

Little Athletics Centres were the big winners from the inaugural Coles Australian Record Challenge at the 2021 Australian Track and Field Championships in Sydney last week. 

Coles will donate a total of $22,000 to record breaking athletes and Little Athletics centres after 11 Open age national records were broken in Paralympic and Olympic events.

All bar one of the records were broken by Para-athletes, with the noteable expection of Nicola McDermott who became the first Australian female to jump two metres on her way to the women's high jump national title.

The 2018 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist nominated Gosford Little Athletics on NSW's Central Coast to receive $1000 from the Coles Australian Record Challenge.

"Gosford Little Athletics is where I was first introduced to high jump when I was eight years old and I'm so happy I can show my appreciation of their support by nominating them to receive $1000 from the Coles Australian Record Challenge," she said.

Gosford Little Athletics President Stu Farrant said the centre was extremely proud of Nicola and grateful to be acknowledged by her with the $1,000 bonus.

"Nicola is a wonderful role model for our little athletes as a former member and also as someone we get to see train at Adcock Park. She's always positive and friendly and says hi to our kids," he said.

"We're so grateful she's nominated us for the $1,000 Coles gift card and can't wait to stock up our canteen next season."

Coles General Manager Corporate Affairs Sally Fielke said she hopes the Coles Australian Record Challenge will help elite and budding athletes alike to chase their dreams.

"Coles is thrilled to donate $22,000 from the first-ever Australian Record Challenge at the 2021 Australian Track and Field Championships to give both Aussie athletes and community Little Athletics centres a boost," she said.

"We wanted to acknowledge the role that Little Athletics centres play in developing Australian record holders and do something special for athletes at this year's National Championships after the cancellation of the 2020 event and all the challenges associated with COVID-19."

Coles is the major partner of Little Athletics Australia and community partner of Athletics Australia. In addition to the Coles Australian Record Challenge, Coles has donated over 3.6 million bananas and provided more than $1.6 million in grants for sports equipment to Little Athletics centres across Australia since 2017.

Inaugural Coles Australian Record Challenge Recipients:

By Coles Media
Posted: 28/4/2021