ACTIVE twins Charlotte and Tiana Parsons are at an age where spending time with friends is just as important as developing new skills.
That’s why the West Moreton Anglican College siblings are eager to enjoy their remaining years in Little Athletics before deciding what events to specialise in.
The former Thagoona-based girls qualified in 800m for the first time at the 2023 national titles in Brisbane. They had previously competed at a number of state championships.
Although it can get hectic meeting the training and competition demands, mum Kristie is pleased the girls are members of the Ipswich Little Athletics Centre and Ipswich and District Athletics Club.
“We have been competing in both for three or four years now,” Kristie said.
“It’s a lot. At this time of the year it’s very busy.
“Every weekend, we seem to be at a competition somewhere.”
Keeping up with schoolwork also provides time management challenges.
However, Kristie knows how important sport is for the girls having competed in Little Athletics in her youth.
“They enjoy their running so while they enjoy it, we’ll keep going,” she said.
“They are very similar.
“They have very much the same interests, which is sometimes difficult to find that individuality but they feed off each as well.
“They help and support each other.
“They do other sports as well as running. That helps as well.”
The twins, who are finishing year 10 at the college, have also shared in school premierships successes in netball, touch football and cross country.
Charlotte was born first.
The girls are currently focusing on the 400m, 800m and 1500m having started athletics aged nine.
Training regularly with coach Brad Robinson, Charlotte and Tiana are looking to add the 400m hurdles to their competition list as they get older.
The former Walloon Primary School students have enjoyed most success in the 800m, where they qualified for the national championships.
“They are naturally competitive but it is helpful doing most of their training together,” Kristie said.
Among major forthcoming events are the Queensland Allschools titles and state relay championships before another round of state and national events.
Kristie also plays an important role on the Ipswich Little Athletics Centre committee as a club and regional recorder having moved to Bundamba after previously living at Thagoona for 15 years.
As a supportive mum, Kristie wants the twins to keep working together and appreciating the value of teenage sport before pursuing older goals.
“I think they will probably stay until the end of Little Athletics,” she said.
“It’s fun and social … all their friends do athletics as well.
“There’s four girls that train together. It’s a nice little team that we’ve got going and they really enjoy hanging out with their friends as well.”
