Jessica Stemp still holds a 200m record for under 8 girls, set more than 20 years ago. The newly-appointed Little Athletics NSW regional support officer could be kicking off a new longstanding legacy if things go to plan.
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Stemp’s role is to help build the presence of athletics, similar to development positions for other sports, to ensure track and field remains a popular choice.
“Everything from help boosting little athletics, getting more kids involved, going into schools, through to looking at coaching and getting clinics happening,” Stemp said.
The 2018 Commonwealth Games is a prime publicity opportunity for athletics and Stemp hopes the sport’s ability to build basic skills can help it continue to grow.
“It’s a foundation sport,” she said. “Any kid, any age, anybody can do athletics. From running, to jumping, to throwing, it’s one of those base sports. So we’re promoting that, and getting that healthy lifestyle back in kids. That’s the big focus.”
Stemp is based in Wagga but covers eastern and western Riverina zones, from Tumbarumba to Finley.
That’s some 20 little athletics clubs who can do with help from specialised coaching to assisting volunteers who run the clubs.
As for that 1997 record at Wagga Little Athletics, she’d be only too happy to see it fall to a new, aspiring athlete starting out in the sport.