JIMBOOMBA Little Athletics centre has been given a funding boost to keep it in the fast lane for its upcoming season.
The $1,300 funding relief from Coles comes amid research from the Australian Sports Foundation in July which found that more than 16000 local sports clubs were at risk of closing due to reduced revenues and increased costs arising from COVID-19.
The Little Athletics centre in Glenlogan is one of 158 grassroots sports club across Australia to share in $521,000 for sports equipment from the latest round of the Coles Little Athletics Community Fund.
The centre's manager Monic Hamilton said the grant would help get its athletes and volunteers back on track after a tough year.
"We will be able to purchase equipment such as shot puts, foam javelins, discuses, and a first aid kit to ensure all our little athletes can have fun safely and to the best of their abilities," she said.
Commonwealth Games high jump champion and Coles ambassador Brandon Starc is among the Aussie athletes who have been affected by disruptions and restrictions caused by COVID-19.
"As a former little athlete, I know how much new equipment means to kids who are starting out their athletics careers. It gives kids a chance to compete and train at their best and reach their full potential," he said.
Coles state general manager Jerry Farrell said, Coles had raised more than $314,000 in Queensland and $1.68 million nationally for local sports clubs through the Coles Little Athletics Community Fund in just two years.
Funds for the grant are raised through the sale of specially marked chiller bags designed by Aussie kids, with ten per cent of every bag sold directed to the fund.
