STROUD is now home to a large and energetic Little Athletics group, bringing sport and enjoyment to a new generation of kids from the town and surrounding areas.

At the inaugural “Come and Try Day” held on Monday 21 October, 99 kids were recorded as showing up, in what proved to be an awesome event for the country town.

“The event was a huge success, made possible by the overwhelming support and dedication of our community,” Tara Davis, President of the new Stroud Little Athletics, told News Of The Area.

“A heartfelt thank-you goes out to all the volunteers, organisers and families who contributed their time and effort to make our day run successfully.

“It was inspiring to witness our community come together, creating a positive and energetic environment that promotes the health, fitness and wellbeing of our children.”

The following week, on Monday, 28 October, similar numbers were also present, sealing the commitment by kids and families, and setting the stage for a new local frontier in kids’ health and physical fitness.

Tara and her new vice-president Leeah Holstein, were able to kickstart the sports group by contacting MidCoast Council and Little Athletics NSW.

“There was only physical culture and taekwondo locally for young children,” Tara said.

“We have to drive 30 – 40 mins away to do any activities with our children, including sports like soccer, football and futsal.

“Kids have come in to participate from Booral, Stroud Road, Dungog, Clarence Town, even Bulahdelah.

“We were fortunate enough to be able to contact an old club at Dora Creek that shut down a few years ago; they donated their old equipment to us, and on the “Come and Try Day”, Booral PS lent us their resources.”

Sports encompass 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, and 800m running, as well as hurdles, shot put, discus, high-jump, and soon there will be vortex for the littlies, and javelin for the older kids.”

The new Stroud Little Athletics program runs every Monday night from 5:30pm at Stroud Showground, and relies on the parents to help out in roles including running each group in the events, measuring and recording results, and more, making it a community-driven event.

By Thomas O’KEEFE