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Australia’s latest World Athletics Champion Nina Kennedy headlines a group of 13 past, current and emerging Australian track and field stars who will be making special appearances at Little Athletics centres over the next two weeks for Coles Community Round.

Nina Kennedy (WA, pole vault) will be joined by current dual Para-Athletics World Champion James Turner (ACT, T36 400m & 100m), reigning Diamond League champion Matthew Denny (Qld, discus) and Australian track and field royalties Sally Pearson OAM and Richard Colman AM in visits to grassroots clubs and centres across Australia to share training and nutrition tips with aspiring athletes.

With five Paralympic and Olympic gold medals and 15 World Championships between them, the Aussie stars are set to be hit among the next generation of track and field athletes.

The appearances are part of Little Athletics Australia’s Coles Community Round where kids and families participate in activities such as dress ups, banana relays and shopping basket races. Coles team members from stores across Australia will also be supporting their local Little Athletics centres with banana donations and visitations.

Nina Kennedy, who has recently re-signed as a Coles ambassador alongside Sally Pearson OAM, Matthew Denny, Kelsey-Lee Barber (Qld, javelin), Brandon Starc (NSW, high jump) and Jaryd Clifford (Vic T12/13 middle/long distance) said she was looking forward to sharing tips and insights with young athletes.

“I’m so excited to get out to grassroots Little Athletics centres over the next two weeks for Coles Community Round to see and meet Australia’s future athletes,” she said.

“Having started my career in Little Athletics, I know how important the Little Athletics program is for kids coming through the ranks. I also know how special it is for kids to see their idols and role models in real life so I hope I can inspire even just one athlete to perform a personal best or to take the next step in athletics.”

Coles Little Athletics Australia CEO Myles Forman said nearly 300 centres will be taking part in Coles Community Round this year.

“Coles Community Round has gone from strength to strength since it was introduced nationally in 2021, with nearly 300 centres already signed up for this year’s round,” he said.

“We’re delighted to be able support Coles Community Round by sending seven of our Little Athletics Australia ambassadors – James Turner, Richard Colman AM, Nana Owusu (Vic, sprints), Jordi McMillan (SA, sprints), Jackson Mellor (Tas, discus & hammer throw), Emelia Surch (Qld, long jump & hurdles) and Sophie White (WA, hurdles) to regional and metro centres over the next two weeks.”

“The Little Athletics Australia Ambassador program is all about inspiring and guiding young athletes across Australia and Coles Community Round provides a great opportunity for our ambassadors to do just that.”

In addition to supporting Little Athletics through Coles Community Round, Coles has donated more than 3.9 million bananas and distributed over $2.4 million in sports equipment grants to grassroots Little Athletics clubs and centres since 2017.

Coles Community Round will take place from Wednesday, 8 November to Tuesday, 21 November. The Coles and Little Athletics Australia ambassadors who will be making appearances at local centres during Coles Community Round are:

*Indicates locations where other local athletes/centres will be involved

NB. Athlete appearances are correct as of Wednesday, 8 November 2023, however all athlete visits listed are subject to change if affected by weather, COVID, illness or travel or other events.