Australian athlete Nina Kennedy has thrown her support behind the Coles Little Athletics Banana A-Peel.
Ms Kennedy, fresh off a stellar 2024 international season which included gold in Paris, has shared her journey from Little Athletics to the Olympics with over 500 aspiring athletes in Melbourne this week. This was alongside former athlete and London Olympic champion Sally Pearson, Paris bronze medallist Matthew Denny, Tokyo bronze medallist Kelsey-Lee Barber and triple Olympian and Australian high jump record holder Brandon Starc.
The visit to local Little Athletics centres coincided with the launch of the Coles Little Athletics Banana A-Peel, a one-week fundraising campaign for Little Athletics Australia starting on National Banana Day (16 October), running until 22 October. For every kilogram of Cavendish bananas sold during the week, Coles, with the support of its Australian banana growers, will donate 10¢ to Little Athletics Australia, to a maximum of $150,000. Funds raised will go towards the Coles Little Athletics Community Fund to help grassroots clubs and centres purchase new sports equipment.
Ms Kennedy encourages customers to support the Coles Little Athletics Banana A-Peel to help nurture the next generation of Australian athletes.
“Little Athletics has played a huge part in the development of many Australian athletes, including myself, to become Olympians and the best athlete they can be,” she says.
“I remember my time in Little Athletics fondly – it was where I learnt all the skills of track and field and where I made lifelong friends and memories. I also remember how much new sports equipment was valued by athletes and parents and that’s why I’m backing the Coles Little Athletics Banana A-Peel. Funds raised will help provide a safe and enjoyable experience for young athletes.”
More than 480 Little Athletics centres have received sports equipment grants from the Coles Little Athletics Community Fund since 2018, including 43 centres from the most recent round of funding. The 43 centres will share in $150,000 to buy new equipment.