Casey Little Athletics star Matthew De bruin, 12, won a silver medal in the School Sports Australia Track and Field Exchange last month, adding to his family’s lengthy list of sporting triumphs. Picture: Luke Plummer.By Paul Pickering
STRIDING in the footsteps of his father and coach, Casey Little Athletics prodigy Matthew De bruin last month raced to a silver medal in the School Sport Australia Track and Field Exchange in Launceston.
Matthew, who celebrated his 12th birthday on Monday, was a member of the Victorian medley relay team that placed second in the under-12 division.
The Pakenham resident also finished a commendable eighth in the multi-event competition, which pits athletes against each other in the 100m, 800m, long jump and shot put.
Reflecting last week on his trip to the Apple Isle, Matthew said the relay medal was an unexpected bonus for the Victorian team.
“I was a bit surprised in the relay, but we were really happy with the result,” he said.
As impressive as Matthew’s results were, it is likely that the omission of his favourite event from the competition schedule may have taken away the young athlete’s best chance at individual gold.
Matthew became a state champion hurdler last year, but safety concerns about the event now dictate that the hurdles is no longer included in national junior competition.
Nevertheless, Matthew’s success at the Launceston meet continued a family tradition of sporting excellence.
His father and coach, Wayne, was a state champion athlete and still holds a triple-jump record at the Dandenong Districts Little Athletics Club.
Meanwhile, Matthew’s brother and sister – Cameron, 6 and Danielle, 13 – are also tearing up the track at Casey Little Athletics in Berwick.
So for Matthew’s mum, Jackie, who was an elite dancer and baton twirler, athletics has become a special activity for the De bruins to share.
“I’m the number-one fan of them all,” she proudly proclaimed.
Jackie said she still laughs as her husband and kids file through old shoeboxes of results and photos from Wayne’s junior athletics days, comparing times and accolades as they go.
“Sometimes Wayne will (jokingly) say, ‘You’re still not quite as fast as me when I was 10 and 11’,” Jackie said.
And while they are aware of the athleticism that Matthew and his siblings have inherited, Jackie and Wayne are keen to make sure sport is always a passion rather than a chore.
“Sometimes kids can be pushed a little too young,” Jackie said.
“We don’t want him to burn out, we want him to still enjoy the process.”
But it seems Matthew can put his parents’ minds at ease.
“I enjoy doing all the running, it’s just fun,” he said.
