Little Athletics has been running for 30 years in Rochester, and given its reliance on volunteers, departing president Mel Haines fears the body won’t be able to continue operating without more hands on deck.
“Volunteering obviously takes time and takes effort, but it’s ultimately for the kids,” she said.
“The reward that you see on their faces when they make it down a 100m straight, or they've struggled for a couple of times they’ve done it and then they finally get it and they can make it down the straight — the reward that you get from that is why I do what I do.“
Little Athletics is organised for kids participating at under-six level all the way through to under-17s, as they try out various events including sprints, high jump, long jump, javelin and discus.
Haines has been involved at the club for the last 16 years, but has decided to step away from her role as president.
She believes it has a unique draw for all kids in the region. This season there were 48 athletes and in some years it has fielded more than 100.
“I guess the thing about Little Athletics is it encourages all abilities and ages to participate,” Haines said.
“It’s very inclusive for all ages and abilities and that’s, I think, a really important aspect for kids, particularly with the amount of things they’re doing these days.”
All kids currently involved in Little Athletics and any new interested parties could miss out altogether moving forward without more assistance provided.
Volunteering involves attending monthly committee meetings to discuss plans for the season, which runs from October until the end of February, with a Christmas break.
But what does a Little Athletics volunteer look like?
“People who are enthusiastic and want to help out and keep the club running for the future of the kids in Rochester and give them that opportunity to participate in sport that doesn’t necessarily mean winning all the time,“ Haines said.
The current season has come to a close, but the club is holding its annual general meeting and presentation night this Friday, March 13, inside the clubrooms at Windridge Oval.
Those interested in getting involved with Little Athletics through volunteering are encouraged to attend the meeting, which begins at 5.30pm.
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