Little A's get help with new club

Jumping for joy: Haley Evans and her clubmates can’t wait for the little athletics season to begin.

Kate Matthews

HALEY Evans likes to run.

Fast.

And it is athletes like her who will be the big winners following the formation of the Lower Clarence Little Athletics Club.

The introduction of the club means the 14-year-old will no longer have to make the one hour trip to Lismore each week to compete.

Not that she will stop anyway.

“It’s very good news,” Evans said of the new club.

“It’s not very good (to have to travel to Lismore) and you have to travel back in the dark.

“I have got a few friends that are athletes already but said they are going to join here in Yamba.

“But I have got a couple of kids up there that are good competition so I’ll keep doing that as well.”

The Maclean High Year 9 student is a regular competitor at zone and regional level in the 100m, 200m and 400m.

She also previously made the state squad for sprinting in under-8s.

And having been a member of three previous little athletics clubs, the Palmers Island’s resident is experiencing first-hand the ground work that must be laid with the new venture.

The club will compete from the Yamba Public School beginning in October.

“I’m trying to organise the grounds with mum,” Evans said.

“I’ll also be helping coach the little kids to get them started.”

With ages ranging from under-6s up to 16s, Evans encouraged her fellow youngsters to get involved.

“You get to meet a whole lot of people,” she said.

“And you get to stay fit.

“I will be able to try my luck because I don’t have a track at home obviously.”

Contact Brendan on 6646 2199, Kylie on 6646 6151, Tracey on 0428 145 875 or Sue-Ellen on 6646 2062 to join the club or gain further information.