By Russell Bennett
Berwick Little Athletics’ stars of today have the world at their feet and gave a glimpse recently into just what they could produce in the years to come.
More than 60 teams from the Edwin Flack Reserve-based club took part in the Gippsland regional relays held late last month in Moe and came away with an astonishing medal haul.
All up, 66 teams from the club took home a combined 55 medals from the event – 32 gold, 13 silver, and nine bronze medals from 62 total races.
A whopping 37 of those teams have made it to the state championships, held this weekend – 16 December – at Lakeside Stadium at Albert Park.
The events at the regionals were a combination of relays and medleys with any one athlete unable to enter into more than three events.
The haul from the regionals is testament to not only the club’s star athletes, but also the seemingly endless hours of tireless work put in by the club’s volunteers, and also the expert coaching that the athletes have received.
New to Berwick Little Athletics in 2017 was twice-weekly coaching provided by Jason Hodson – an AIS-accredited coach. He has also guided several assistants at the club in providing the best possible tutelage for the athletes, and the coaching sessions have been introduced at a price that is affordable to all members.
Coming up early in the new year, on 3 February, Berwick Little Athletics will hold its first ever open day – with any registered Little Athletics Victoria members (regardless of region) invited to come along.
This year marked the dawning of a new era for the club, with its rebranding from the former ‘Casey Little Athletics’.
At the relaunch of the club back in August Berwick Little Athletics president Dan Langelaan said the event was “a significant milestone” in its history.
“We’re very fortunate to have this athletics centre and to be part of it and there’s a lot of people who’ve put in a lot of work to make it what it is,” he said.
“Similar to the City of Casey with their aspirational vision of being the most liveable city, we’re going to be the most family-friendly, encouraging and inclusive sporting club. That’s what we’re trying to do and we’re both aiming high.”
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/BerwickLittleAthletics
