COLES Athlete & Volunteer of the Month – February Winners

Athlete of the Month – Achievement

The winner of the Coles February Athlete of the Month Achievement Award is Zayden Kamish from Noarlunga Little Athletics Club 

During the month of February 2023, Zayden, achieved 7 PB’s and 4 Club Records which is an enormous achievement! Zayden has been a member of Noarlunga Little Athletics Club since 2013 and has been one of the Club Captains for the last 3 years.

Zayden assists with set-up and pack down most meets and leads the Clubs warm ups. Zayden suffered a serious back injury that prevented him training for 6 months last year and is gradually getting his fitness and strength back. He trains 5 days a week with dedicated coaches as he is an Multi event athlete in Heptathlon / Decathlon.  At SALAA Multi’s event, Zayden broke the U16 Javelin State record with a throw of 57.46m smashing the previous record of 51.55m.

In the future his aim is to represent Australia at the World U20’s championships and then hopefully Commonwealth and Olympic Games.

Zayden shows a tremendous amount of dedication to the sport of Little Athletics. He demonstrates great sportsmanship while being a very humble and supportive teammate and individual. He has made a noticeable presence at his club, Noarlunga LAC.

Congratulations Zayden!

Athlete of the Month – Commitment

The winner of the Coles February Athlete of the Month Commitment is Aidan Blowes from Northern Districts Little Athletics Club. 

Aidan shows amazing sportsmanship while participating in club and state events. He’s always looking to support other in the Jet’s community: whether it’s encouragement of other athletes toward achieving their best, a quick safety reminder, helping to ferry the club bananas or helping with packup.

Aidan has been with the club for 7 seasons now after joining as an U8. For the future, Aidan wants to continue with athletics and just continue to beat his best. Fitness is important to him and he has just started studying Sports Science as an elective at school. Current career aspirations include Physiotherapy and coaching /mentoring.

Nothing holds Aidan back from showing up to support his team mates and club. This season he’s contended with both injuries (including one that cost him his spot in the State Combined Event Championships) and some ongoing illnesses which have zapped his energy at times. Rather than sit at home he’s been out, helping, encouraging and competing himself as he’s able. Despite the challenges he’s in the top 10% in the club for PBs this season and he has his sights set on achieving more PBs by the end of the season. He is a dedicated athlete who never gives up. 

Congratulations Aidan!

Volunteer of the Month

The winner of the Coles February Volunteer of the Month is Tamara Benney from Playford Little Athletics Club.

Tamara Benny has been a long-standing volunteer & Committee member at Playford Little Athletics Club. She has been operating the club canteen and cooking healthy ‘home-style’ dinners for Athletes & families attending the meet & training. Tamara spends countless hours researching suppliers, creating menus, and stocking up on supplies. On meet days, she starts early and cleans up well after everyone has left. Tamara’s hard work has paid off in helping the club raise essential funds. Parents and athletes alike praise her tasty Home-style food and friendly service.

For Tamara, the real reward is seeing the joy on the faces of the Athletes who attend the club every week. She knew that while working in the canteen might seem small, it made a big difference in those kids’ lives who had the option of home-style meals at the clubs and saved parents the time to cook dinner once they reached home.

 Congratulations Tamara!

COLES Athlete & Volunteer of the Month – January Winners

Athlete of the Month – Achievement

The winner of the Coles January Athlete of the Month Achievement Award is Lucas Brunner from Munno Para Little Athletics Club. Lucas joined the Munno Para Little Athletics Club in 2021. He is an U11 athlete and during the month of January 2023 Lucas achieved 10 PBs and 2 Club Records for Hurdles.  He has been a great role model around the club; demonstrating that hard work and commitment pay off.  His dedication to the club has been recognised by being appointed as Munno Para’s first Junior Club Captain. Lucas Trains weekly, whilst still being involved with other sport and commitments. His goals are to be an athlete across a field of different sports. Lucas is a very determined athlete and Munno Para Little Athletics Club can’t wait to see what he achieves throughout the season.  

Congratulations Lucas!

Athlete of the Month – Commitment

The winner of the Coles January Athlete of the Month Commitment is Tyler Graves from Enfield Little Athletics Club. Tyler been part of the Enfield Little Athletics Club since he was a Tiny Tot and even prior to that came along as support for his big brother as he competed. He is very social and enjoys the social aspect of catching up with other athletes and equally enjoys his interactions with the parents & committee members.  

Tyler is always happy to help out with the weekly set-up and pack down, selling raffle tickets and always offers service with a smile in the canteen once he has finished his events. He proudly represented his club at the State Relay Day, had a successful PB Day, embraced the Coles Community Round dressing up in all things red and has his eyes set on breaking the club record for turbo javelin this season. After receiving a shot put and discus for Christmas, he is keen to practice and improve in these events. 

Congratulations Tyler!

Volunteer of the Month

The winner of the Coles January Volunteer of the Month Award is Ben Herbig from Mt Barker Little Athletics Club. Ben joined the Mt Barker LAC committee this season, and he hasn’t stopped assisting and helping the club community since their first meet. Not only helping with whatever needs to be done, but coming up with great new ideas to help grow and develop the club even more. He has been pivotal in every aspect of the running of the club, including developing Mt Barkers new handbook, purchasing and maintaining equipment, taking on the role of coordinating their weekly BBQ including; ordering and purchasing all the supplies every week, as well as adding several new items to the BBQ. 

One of his proudest achievements this year, was his development of the idea of working with Nairne’s local football club. 

All of this and more – just in his first season! 

Congratulation Ben!

COLES Athlete & Volunteer of the Month – December Winners

Athlete of the Month – Achievement

Patrick is an U9 athlete at the Gawler Little Athletics Club who has been part of the club for the last 5 seasons. In the month of December 2022 Patrick recorded 6 PB’s and now has a total of 28 PB’s so far this 2022/23 season. Patrick has also attained 11 Club records this season in the 100m, 200m and Long Jump. He is very close to achieving one of his goals of running under 30 seconds for the 200m, he has jumped a massive 3.90m for the long jump and has been consistently throwing over 18m for the discus.

He loves athletics, especially sprinting but has also worked hard to perform well in all events and become a good all rounder. He trains 3 – 4 times a week and is very dedicated to improving his fitness and skills. He has really focused on his throws the last 2 seasons and has good results in these events. When Patrick is not training or competing, he is always watching videos and documentaries of his favourite athletes for inspiration.  Patrick’s goals for this season is to run state record times in the sprints. His future goal is to compete at the Olympics in sprinting events. He trains and works extremely hard to continue to achieve his athletics goals and do the best he can.

Congratulations Patrick!

Athlete of the Month – Commitment

Liliana is an U16 athlete at Salisbury Little Athletics Club who has shown that she is a great club person for a total of 8 years now. Being a senior athlete of the club, as well as club captain, Liliana has shown tremendous initiative by helping around the club where she can. She is encouraging and supportive with all her fellow athletes and loves nothing more than to watch them succeed, achieve their goals, and have fun. Liliana is always keen to attend training and is a good role model for the others.

Liliana was involved in the early part of the season with helping clean out the equipment shed and the office in preparation of the current season. When she was approached to help with the Tiny Tots at trainings on Wednesday night as the Saturday coordinator couldn’t be there; and without hesitation she agreed to help.

Liliana can always be seen, often without being asked, helping to pack up and do the little things to help around the club. Liliana hopes to continue at the club in other capacities after her competing days are over and is always keen to learn new ways to help her fellow athletes.

Congratulations Liliana!

Volunteer of the Month

Amy is the club president at Campbelltown Little Athletics and her dedication has brought structure to the club. On top of the usual president duties she is managing all communication with members, is always there to help set up each week and has been meeting out of hours to help with relay selections.

Being at a hired grounds with shared facilities; she has assisted in liaising with the school regarding markings; access for extra sessions and everything else that comes her way. Countless hours are spent by her making our little club as great as it is! Also more recently after sustaining injury, she has not let her moon boot slow her down around the grounds at meets.

As for personal traits, she genuinely has a passion for helping others strive for greatness; both her and her husband Peter devote hours and hours to their children’s passion of athletics.Members are treated equally and fairly. All photography for our Facebook and Instagram pages are taken by Peter, along with any videos that are created also; before Amy gets it all up on the pages.Any requests are done by Amy almost instantly; all communications are dealt with quickly; whether that be Email or social media.

Amy strives for all members CLAC community to achieve their best.

Congratulations Amy!

COLES Athlete & Volunteer of the Month – November Winners

Athlete of the Month – Achievement

The winner of the Coles November Athlete of the Month Achievement Award is Cole Elson from Gawler Little Athletics Club.  During the month of November 2022, Cole, achieved 13 PB’s and 1 Club Record which is an enormous achievement! 

Cole shows a tremendous amount of dedication to the sport of Little Athletic and is always willing to learn. Cole welcomes constructive advice on how to achieve his best performance, and takes it all on board so he can improve and do his best. 

Cole can often be found watching the older athletes as a way to learn and improve on his knowledge, understanding and skills. He shows great sportsmanship whilst being a very humble and supportive teammate and individual.

Cole shows maturity well beyond his age; recently, Cole achieved his very first Club Record (CR) by breaking a 17-year-old record! The Gawler Little Athletics Club are extremely proud of Cole and his efforts. Cole has been involved in Little Athletics for 2 seasons and has made a noticeable presence at his club. He is a keen runner; however, try’s every event with great enthusiasm.

Congratulations Cole!

Athlete of the Month – Commitment

The winner of the Coles November Athlete of the Month Commitment Award is Holly Sweeney from Torrens Valley Little Athletics Club (TVLAC).  Holly joined Torrens Valley Little Athletics Club (TVLAC) last season as an Under 15. She excelled this past season at state competitions and received the Torrens Valley Little Athletics Club Sportsmanship of the Year Award, voted by fellow athletes, committee members, volunteers and parents. Holly has also joined up with Tea Tree Gully Athletics Club to further her coaching and progression in the sport. Holly loves training and competing with Tea Tree Gully but she is still very committed to Torrens Valley Little Athletics Club, joining them again as a member this season.

Holly is an U16 athlete and has shown leadership at the club and is a role model for the younger athletes. Holly takes the warm-up every week at Torrens Valley Little Athletics Club with an eager and positive attitude and is able to adapt what she does to ensure it works for all ages. During the meets she supports and chaperones the senior group, assisting them to be the best they can be and helps out by putting equipment out and stays back to help pack up. She is a real inspiration for the club, a voice for the athletes and the club feels very lucky to have her as part of the Torrens Valley Little Athletics Club (TVLAC) team.

Congratulations Holly!

Volunteer of the Month

The winner of the Coles November Volunteer of the Month Award is Callen Davies from Hills Little Athletics Club.

Callan is a volunteer who took on a big role as one of the Hills Little Athletics Clubs assistants at the start of the 21/22 season. Through this he immediately identified some areas where improvements could be made to streamline set up and pack up, implementing these to make the meets run smoothly.

Callan is always one of the first on site to set up at around 7am and one of the last ones to leave each meet, ensuring equipment is stored safely each week. Callan is also a keen tech wizard and regularly puts together videos showing our athletes in action, and you can always find him managing the track computers, inputting data to make results entry easier. 

Congratulations Callen!