REDLANDS Little Athletics athletes are off to a flying start to the year following the club’s success at the State Relay Championships in December.
Redlands Little Athletics manager Rodney Clarke said the club had gone into the championships expecting ten medals, but had walked away with 16.
“The club won six gold, four silver and six bronze medals across both track and field,” Mr Clarke said.
“Our under 12 high jump girls also set a new Queensland State Relays record.”
Two club members also headed to New Zealand last month on the Little Athletics Queensland development tour.
The trip— which Mr Clarke said was designed to give older athletes the opportunity to compete against international teams— saw club members Jessica Hoban and Lauren Toovey taking part in competitions on the north and south islands over ten days.
“(The girls) thoroughly enjoyed the event and had a great time meeting Little Athletics Queensland friends they usually competed against and forging good relationships,” Mr Clarke said.
On January 27, the club held its annual club carnival at Sheldon College.
Mr Clarke said just under 400 athletes from clubs as far as Bundaberg and Toowoomba competed at the event.
“Our club has gone from 202 registrations last year to 280 this year,” Mr Clarke said.
“We’ve grown massively and I think that’s reflected in our performance.”
About 90 club athletes are now training to head to Townsville in March to compete in the regional athletics championships.