FOR 40 years Eastlakes Athletics Centre has provided Newcastle and Lake Macquarie children the opportunity to run, throw, jump, laugh and grow.
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To celebrate the milestone, and another successful Little Athletics season, the Marks Point club is inviting present and past athletes to its presentation and anniversary party on Sunday, April 3.
“We’ve been running since 1976 and have had quite a few families come through,” president Tony Mahaffey said.
“Now we’re seeing the kids who have done it bring their children to us.”
Up to 130 children participated in athletics with the club this season, on par with the year before.
Mahaffey, who has held committee roles with the club for 10 years, said Eastlakes has a family-orientated and fun-focused feel to it.
“We encourage the kids to try and have a go,” he said.
“We’re more focused on PBs [personal bests] than records.
“We’re all about kids getting better within themselves.”
That said, however, the children are competitive.
Eastlakes had 32 children participate in the athletics zone carnival this season.
The Eastlakes Athletics Centre season typically runs the first week in September to the last week in March.
Of those 32 children that competed at zone, 29 moved on to the regional level and 11 went on to the state carnival.
“Which is not bad for a smallish-sized club,” Mahaffey said.
In the off season, the club allows six of the nearby primary schools to use its grounds and equipment.
“A lot of our kids go through those primary schools,” Mahaffey said.
“It’s a way we can help out, get more kids involved with athletics and get our name out there.”
The April 3 presentation and anniversary celebration will be held at the club’s home ground of Baxter Oval, located behind Marks Point Bowling Club.
Baxter Oval has been the club’s home ground for the 40 years.
Mahaffey said there would be jumping castles and chances for the children to have a run around on the day.
Attendees, especially past members and those who have history with the club, were encouraged to take along memorabilia.