SEVEN WA CENTRES SECURE FUNDING THANKS TO COLES COMMUNITY FUND

Aspiring athletes and community volunteers will benefit from $250,000 in grants this season from the Coles Little Athletics Community Fund as the Little Athletics WA Program records a spike in participation numbers. 

Last month, Coles announced the 72 grassroots Little Athletics Centres across the country, who will share in $250,000 to purchase much needed sports, safety and volunteer equipment, including high jump mats, defibrillators and laptops with seven WA clubs and centres among the lucky ones selected as worthy recipients of the funding. 

Broome, Albany, Swan Valley, Bayswater, Eastern Hills, Inglewood and Melville will recieve over $25,000 between them, enabling each to make important upgrades to their equipment. 

Albany Athletics will use their grant to buy a new PA system, starter’s microphone and training hurdles, which Centre Vice President Bec Gleeson said will help volunteers to deliver a fun, safe and quality program to young athletes.  

“This grant is going to have a huge impact at our Centre this season. An effective PA system and starter's microphone are essential for our regular competitions, but also for the upcoming Athletics West Country Championships which we’re excited to be hosting in January. With over 300 athletes expected to compete, this new equipment is crucial to ensure all athletes, volunteers and spectators have a memorable experience in Albany,” she said. 

“Furthermore, the new lightweight, collapsible training hurdles will enable us to offer flexible hurdle training year-round so that our athletes can prepare for our weekly centre meets and regional and state events.” 

Swan Valley Athletics will use their grant to buy new measuring tapes, high jump stands, discuses and starting blocks. 

“As we are a smaller club, finance is very tight, and we have been putting off equipment upgrades for a number of seasons,” said Centre President Paul Murphy.  

“With this grant, we’ll be able to replace damaged and deteriorated equipment, thus providing a safer experience for our athletes and volunteers alike. The new equipment will enable our athletes to remain competitive when they get to the next level and help our Centre to build up our older age groups.” 

Broome Athletics Club will use their grant to buy much-needed equipment which will support the increase in participation of Little Athletes in Broome. 

“Our registrations have increased by 70% over the past 4 years, requiring new equipment to run events simultaneously and more efficiently. With the new discuses, shot puts, javelins, hurdles, and starting equipment, we can run more events at once, give every athlete the chance to participate fully, and help our coaches develop each athlete’s skills,” she said. 

Athletics West CEO Vince Del Prete said the sport is well positioned to maintain its growth with recent successes on and off the track and field.  

“Athletics West has been buoyed by the many successes of our senior athletes on the world stage like Nina Kennedy and Kurtis Marschall in recent years. However, junior and Little Athletics is where it all starts and plays a vital role in the success of our sport. That’s why we’re delighted that Coles has provided more than $236,000 in equipment grants to our clubs and centres over the past eight years,” he said. 

Athletics West would like to extend our thanks to Coles and their ongoing contribution to the sport of Athletics in Western Australian.  

READY TO START SOMETHING GREAT?  

The 2025-26 Season will see Athletes emulate the heroics of our green and gold stars and it’s bound to be a massive one. So - whether you are looking for a new personal best, want to support your child's Little Athletics WA journey or are looking for the edge come next footy season, this summer ‘Great Starts Here!  

Find out more about the 2025-26 Summer Season HERE! 

To stay up to date with all the athletics action follow Athletics West’s Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok pages.  

For more information about how you can get started in athletics, contact Athletics West on 08 6272 0480 or email admin@athleticswest.com.au. 

Additional reporting by Coles. 

Posted 4 October 2025

Updated 5 October 2025