STRONG family links and the leadership of some dedicated working mums highlight the tremendous value of the Rosewood Branch Little Athletics.
Rosewood Branch centre manager and registrar Kyrlie Thomson was delighted to see a number of family combinations compete at last weekend’s Met West Regional Championships.
They include her children Lilly and Cameron, who joined siblings Christopher and Elizabeth Meuleners, Mia and Jackson Carlyle, and brothers Thomas and Jack Berry.
The centre manager is particularly proud of how three generations have supported the club which has been in the Rosewood community for 35 years.
“It’s just giving them [young people] an outlet,” Thomson said.
“Kids love athletics and it gives them an opportunity to meet new friends and a bit of friendly competition.
“It is a valuable club run by pretty much women.”
Joining Thomson on the female leadership team are Samantha Berry (secretary and recording officer), Jo Patterson (treasurer), Louise McNamara (grounds and equipment) and Donna-Maree Fritz (canteen).
“We are working mums and life gets a bit tricky in trying to fit these things in and organise all these things but somehow we seem to make it work,” Thomson said.
Thomson is in her first season as centre manager having been registrar for three years.
The Rosewood Little Athletics centre was formed in 1986 by a small group of parents who saw a need in the community.
The first season began in 1987 when the centre had limited equipment and a small number of children.
“The early days were challenging, and all funds came from fundraising for equipment, trophies and all the other items needed to run a centre,” Thomson said.
“The centre had no storage facilities so everything was kept at a parents house and meetings were held there too.”
The Rosewood Primary School oval was used as a first base before the Rosewood State High School oval became an important place to train.
The centre returned to the primary school for a time before securing the current location – back at Rosewood State High for the past 12 years.
Ipswich City Council built a shed for the centre to use.
A Tiny Tots program has run for about 20 years, providing an important start for children to learn athletics from the age of three.
The Rosewood centre offers events for athletes from Tiny Tots through to 17.
“This is unique to the area and makes little athletics a true family fun and fitness sport,” Thomson said.
The latest two-day regional championships were staged at Bill Paterson Oval at Limestone Park last weekend.
Among other athletes joining the Thomson, Meuleners, Carlyle and Berry siblings were Chelsea Brown, Joshua James Heron, Briarna Garrad and Ava Seccombe.
Medal-winning under-10 long jumper Ava is among the athletes hoping to compete at the state championships in Townsville in March.
