The Fenton foursome: Maddison, Stefanie, Brittany and Chris Fenton have enjoyed stunning success at Narre Warren Little Athletics Club over the years.By Marc McGowan
NARRE Warren Little Athletics Club is nothing less than a second home for the Fenton family.
Father Steve, mother Kerry and their children Brittany, 16, Stefanie, 13, Maddison, 10, and Chris, 8, live for the sport and have made the club their own by breaking records, dominating competition and always being available to lend a hand.
The Hallam family is a big advocate for health and fitness and believes athletics is the perfect tool to achieve both.
“I certainly like the fitness side of it,” Steve, who is the president and one of the coaches at Narre Warren, said.
“What is it? Healthy body, healthy mind? It has got to help them.”
Steve’s countless hours of toil at the club resulted in him being awarded the adult clubperson of the year for a second time last month.
“I’m certainly proud of it. Some people don’t think much of it, but I do. I certainly do appreciate them saying, ‘hey, thanks for helping’,” Steve said.
The junior Fentons’ impact on the sport has not been restricted to Narre Warren, with all of them bar Chris, who is too young to compete at state level, taking home medals at Victorian Championships.
Brittany, who finished her Little Athletics career this year and is looking forward to continuing her sporting association with the Berwick City Soccer Club, won two bronze medals in recent years after many attempts at state competitions.
“I’d been working so hard,” she said.
“Ever since I could do it at state I’d done it and the first year I won a medal was great. I loved it.
“I went into shock – it was awesome. It was the best feeling ever.”
Not surprisingly, athletics is the prime discussion point at mealtimes, and Stefanie revealed another source of motivation she has for doing well.
“It’s pretty good because with training we all know our own strengths and there is a lot of encouragement as well,” she said.
“And also, you have to be faster than your older sister. You have to beat her!”
The sibling rivalry is also evident between Maddison and Chris, who strive to knock each other off on a weekly basis.
“(Being able to do athletics with my family) is alright, but when I run Chris beats me!” Maddison said.
Chris, who has shown a penchant for distance running and streeted his rivals by more than a minute in the 1000 metres on the weekend, is hoping to use his athletics skills for a lofty goal in the future.
“I like seeing my friends and getting fit. I want to play football for Essendon,” he said.
Kerry, who is the duty and publicity officer at Narre Warren – and the family’s pasta cook on Friday nights – also participated in the sport and encouraged her children to get involved.
“I’m very proud of my children. They’re all really good kids and they try really hard,” she said.
“They train really hard and they’re all happy and healthy.”
As with any successful combination there has been plenty of help along the way.
Whether it is Steve’s boss Paul Bonner giving him time off work, Brittany’s coach Brian Harrington helping her master the racewalk, Stefanie’s mentor John Eden teaching her the right technique for her throwing events, or the ongoing support of friends the Burren family, there are many facets to the Fentons’ accomplishments.
In the end, however, it may be three small words that have played the most important part in the family’s triumphs.
“We have a motto in this family and I certainly try to encourage other kids to have it as well – try your best,” Steve said.
“If you’ve tried your absolute best and you’ve come first, that’s great. If you’ve tried your best and come fourth, fifth or even last, that’s fine.
“That’s certainly a strong motto that we live by here.”
