Junior athletes from Maddington Little Athletics Club are celebrating a good season after 18 athletes qualified for the Little Athletics WA Challenge.
The event will take place at the WA Athletics Stadium on March 21 and 22 and is the pinnacle competition for athletes in the U9 to U12 age groups.
To reach the event, athletes had to meet tough qualification standards set by Athletics West. Several Maddington athletes not only qualified but secured spots in multiple events across the two days of competition.
To many of the young athletes, the achievement marks an exciting moment after months of training.
Nine-year-old Grayson D’Agnone-Doyle said he has been part of the club almost his whole life.
“I have been at MLAC since I was a baby. I started when I was 2 as a Tiny Tot. My mummy has been a part of MLAC for 36 years,” he said.
Grayson said he was excited to qualify for the competition.
“I am very excited to qualify for the Team challenge.”
He enjoys several field events and the chance to train with friends.
“I love Turbo Javelin, Discus, Shot Put and walks,” he said.
“I love my friends, coaches and having fun at training. My mummy used to be an athlete at MLAC.”
Grayson said he hopes to keep improving.
“I want to make friends, have fun and try my hardest. I want to go to the Olympics.”
Fellow U9 athlete Elana Lombardo is in her first season with the club and said qualifying for the WA Challenge was a proud moment.
“It made me very excited and so proud of myself,” she said.
Elana said race walking is her favourite event.
“I love the walks because I’m very good at it and it’s very fun.”
She also enjoys the supportive environment at the club.
“I love all my friends and I love how the coaches are nice and teach us properly to get the best out of ourselves.”
Her goal now is to keep improving.
“To get better and better and smash more pb’s and to get more records.”
U12 athlete Nathaniel Khamis noted the season has also been his first experience with little athletics.
His mother said it had been rewarding watching his progress.
“This is Nathaniel’s first season with Maddington Little Athletics Club and his first time doing little athletics altogether. Watching him grow in confidence and skill throughout this season has been amazing. Joe, Gabby, and all the volunteers at the club have made it such a positive and encouraging journey.”
Nathaniel said qualifying for the WA Challenge felt like a big achievement.
“I felt really happy and proud when I qualified for the WA Challenge. I trained hard all season, so it felt good to see it pay off. It made me want to keep training and get even better.”
He enjoys sprint events the most.
“I like the 100m and 200m the most because they’re fast and competitive. The 100m is fun because it’s super quick and I can just sprint as fast as I can. I like the 200m because I can control my speed and finish strong.”
Nathaniel said the support from people at the club helps build his confidence.
“I like training and being at the club with my friends. The coaches and volunteers help me a lot and cheer me on, which makes me feel more confident.”
Next season he hopes to keep improving his performances.
“I want to beat my personal bests, especially in the 800m. I want to get faster and stronger next season and keep improving.”
Ana Mrdja, who competes in the U12 age group, has been involved with the club for two years.
She said qualifying for the WA Challenge was exciting.
“I felt really happy and excited.”
Ana said hurdles is her favourite event.
“I love to do hurdles because it’s fun and active and I hold the centre record.”
She said being part of the club keeps her active and connected with friends.
“Having fun and staying fit also I have lots of friends.”
Looking ahead, Ana hopes to compete at a higher level.
“To compete at nationals.”
