Olympic bronze medallist Kelsey-Lee Barber shares her javelin throwing tips with a young athlete at Bribie Island as part of Coles Community Round.
Around 60 young athletes from Nambour Little Athletics had the chance to meet one of Australia’s most accomplished track and field stars when Olympic bronze medallist Kelsey-Lee Barber visited on Saturday, November 7.
The two-time world champion javelin thrower visited the Sunshine Coast PCYC at Burnside as part of Coles Community Round, sharing her experiences, offering encouragement and signing autographs for the next generation of sporting hopefuls.
A three-time Olympian, Barber won bronze at the Tokyo Olympics and is now working towards a remarkable fourth Olympic appearance at Los Angeles in 2028.
Her visit was particularly special as she recently returned to training after welcoming her first child in March.
“I’m so excited to meet the future of Australian Athletics, and hopefully inspire them to dream big, have a go and discover what they love about our sport,” Barber said.
“That’s why Coles Community Round is so important. It brings elite athletes to local communities, where a little encouragement can mean so much. It’s a chance to celebrate having fun, healthy eating and trying something new. If sharing my experiences helps a child feel more confident to pursue athletics, that’s something really special.”
Barber's Nambour appearance formed part of a Sunshine Coast tour that also included visits to Little Athletics centres at Noosa and Maleny.
Little Athletics is enjoying strong growth across the region, with centres at Noosa, Bli Bli, Maleny and the University of the Sunshine Coast already exceeding last year's athlete registrations.
With the Brisbane 2032 Olympics approaching, the opportunity for young athletes to meet an Olympic medallist carries added significance.
Nationally, a record 344 Little Athletics centres are participating in this year's Coles Community Round, with 22 Australian track and field stars visiting grassroots clubs.
Coles Little Athletics CEO Myles Forman said the initiative helped children build confidence and friendships while supporting the volunteers and families who keep the sport running.
Since 2017, Coles has donated seven million bananas and provided $3 million in equipment grants to Little Athletics centres across Australia.