National under-16 long jump champion Aiden Hinson on Saturday made the first jump on Western Port Little Athletics Club’s new long jump track to open the season.
The club member took to the air after Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor Kate Roper and Flinders MP Greg Hunt cut the ribbon to declare the runway open.
Mr Hunt also tried the jump and was quickly followed by club member, Kayla Trezise.
The new track – step up from the old asphalt runway – was paid for by the the shire, the federal government and Western Port Secondary College.
“Aiden has shown how Western Port Little Athletics Club can train national champions and these new long and triple jump runways will provide fantastic facilities for the future,” Mr Hunt said.
At recent inter-school district athletics competition 20 Westernport Little Athletics Club members qualified for the divisional competition.
New members aged 5-15 can attend track-and-field events on Saturday mornings during the October to March athletics season. Events include the 100 metres, 200 metres, 400 metres and 800 metres. There is also the long jump, triple jump, high jump, discus, shot put and javelin, as well as the walk and longer distance running races.
The club has a grass running track and discus nets were installed in 2015.
Junior athletes take part in up to five events from 8.45am-11.15am Saturdays. The under-9s and older also take part in regional relay championships, regional track and field events and have the opportunity to qualify for state track and field events.
Details: westernportlac.com.au
First published in the Western Port News – 9 October 2018
