Nina Kennedy Inspires WA Little Athletics Centres During Coles Community Round

Australia's most decorated pole vaulter, Nina Kennedy, spent the weekend connecting with athletes and families across Western Australia as part of the annual Coles Community Round celebrations.

A two-time Olympian, Olympic and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, World Champion, Diamond League Champion and Australian record holder with a best of 4.95m in the pole vault, Kennedy took time away from her busy competition schedule to give back to the grassroots athletics community as a proud Coles Ambassador.

Over the course of the weekend, Kennedy visited Baldivis Athletics Centre on Friday evening before making appearances at Ridgewood Athletics Centre and Hamersley Athletics Centre on Saturday morning.

Baldivis Welcomes Nina Under Lights

Athletes and families at Baldivis embraced the occasion, with many dressing in red to celebrate Coles Community Round.

Brayden Smith, Centre & Schools Coordinator at Athletics West, attended the visit and highlighted the excitement surrounding the evening.

“The centre had plenty to celebrate, announcing its 2026/27 Centre Captains and recognising athletes' achievements with the presentation of numerous record certificates by Nina.

Throughout the evening, she spent time with athletes at their events, doing handstands, signing shoes, and even joining in the Discus and High Jump competitions.

To commemorate the visit, President Jodi Retallack, the committee and the centre captains presented Nina with a centre shirt and a bouquet of flowers as a thank you for taking the time to visit the centre and their athletes."

Nina was equally impressed by the atmosphere.

"The setup in Baldivis was fantastic. I loved seeing families lined up along the 100m straight on picnic rugs enjoying the evening together."

Early Start, Big Smiles at Ridgewood

Saturday began bright and early at Ridgewood Athletic Centre, but that didn't stop athletes and parents lining up for photos, autographs and the opportunity to meet one of Australia's sporting superstars.

Hosted by Ridgewood President Matthew Vine, Kennedy participated in a Q&A session where athletes learned more about her journey to the top of world athletics.

One of the highlights of the morning came when Kennedy jumped into the Girls U7 mini hurdles event, much to the delight of the crowd, even setting herself a personal best along the way.

Memorable Moments at Hamersley

The final stop of the weekend was Hamersley Athletics Centre, where Kennedy once again proved why she is one of Australia's most admired athletes.

Zoe Bowen, General Manager of Community at Athletics West, praised Kennedy's commitment to making every athlete feel valued.

"Nina visited Hamersley on Saturday morning and was incredibly generous with her time, creating a fantastic atmosphere for athletes, families and volunteers.

She spent time signing posters, shoes, t-shirts and other memorabilia, while also taking plenty of photos with the kids. The athletes were excited to have the opportunity to meet an Olympian, and Nina made a point of ensuring everyone felt included and valued throughout the visit.

Nina was highly engaging with both athletes and committee members, asking questions about their involvement in athletics and taking the time to answer questions about her own journey.

The Centre Captain and President Rayno Raats interviewed Nina, covering topics such as her training, competition experiences and future goals, including whether she hopes to compete at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

A particularly special moment was when Nina posed for a photo with Rosco, one of Hamersley's only athletes to have competed every year. This season marks Rosco's final year of competition, making it a memorable occasion for both the club and the community.

Nina's warmth, enthusiasm and willingness to connect with people left a lasting impression on everyone who attended."

Celebrating Community

Athletics West would like to sincerely thank Coles for their continued investment in athletics communities around Australia. Through the Coles Community Round initiative, centres received community activation packs featuring a Coles Banana marquee, Coles Banana tablecloth, chef hats and posters ready for autographs.

Most importantly, the initiative gave hundreds of young athletes the chance to meet an Olympic champion, ask questions, share experiences and create memories they will remember for years to come.

For many young athletes across Baldivis, Ridgewood and Hamersley, meeting Nina Kennedy was a reminder that even the biggest dreams in athletics can start at the local track.