More than 100 Little Athletics centres across Australia will receive grants from Coles to fund “vital” sports equipment.
According to Coles, the latest round of funding brings the retailer’s allocation of sports equipment grants to over $2 million in three years.
The funding, says Coles, comes at a time when community sports clubs continue to feel the effects of Covid-19. This is particularly the case in NSW where the start of the new season has been postponed.
This year’s grants have been funded through the sale of Coles’ reusable community bags designed by Aussie kids and the sale of bananas sold at Coles’ supermarkets on National Banana Day in May.
Helping the next generation of Olympians
Coles Little Athletics Australia President Andrew Pryor says the grants will help Little Athletics centres to develop the next generation of Olympians as the sport builds towards Brisbane 2032.
“We are entering a very exciting period for Little Athletics following the success of Tokyo 2020 and as we set our sights on Brisbane 2032,” he says.
“Around 75% of the Australian track and field team who competed in the Tokyo Olympics and a further 23% of para-athletes in the Paralympics, had their start in Little Athletics. That’s why support like this from Coles is so important.”
Promoting healthier, happier lives
Coles CEO Steven Cain says the Coles Little Athletics Community Fund is just one way the retailer is supporting local communities and helping young Australians to live healthier, happier lives.
“We know it’s been a very challenging 18 months for communities across Australia who thrive on grassroots sport,” he says.
“Little Athletics plays a vital role in not just producing elite athletes like our Coles ambassadors Sally Pearson and Brandon Starc, but also by encouraging kids to be active and healthy. We want to be better together with the community and we’re proud to support community sport by providing over $2 million in sports equipment grants to Little Athletics centres in three years.”
In addition to providing more than $2 million in equipment grants, Coles has donated more than 3.6 million bananas to Little Athletics centres since 2017.
For details of successful recipients visit www.coles.com.au/littleathleticsfund.