What’s happening?
Chinchilla Cyclones Little Athletics Centre has won a national award at the Coles Little Athletics Australia Hall of Fame Ceremony.
The centre was named the Coles Little Athletics Australia Centre of the Year Award winner for the Outer Regional and Remote category.
It recognised former Little Athletes and people who have made major contributions to Little Athletics across Australia.
Why it matters?
The award places Chinchilla Cyclones among the standout Little Athletics centres in Australia.
The Centre of the Year Award recognises centres that show leadership and innovation.
It also highlights centres that deliver Little Athletics values of Family, Fun and Fitness.
CEO of Coles Little Athletics Australia, Myles Foreman, said, “The ceremony showcases the positive impact Little Athletics has on individuals later in life in the wider Australian sporting community and beyond. Developing important life skills, such as teamwork and endurance, Little Athletics helps to prepare for success on and off the sporting field”.
He also said, “As always, this year’s Ceremony was an opportunity to celebrate and hear of the impact of Little Athletics on our Inductees and Award winners and the enormous value that our focus on Family, Fun and Fitness as a Foundation for All Sports has in later life”.
Local Impact
For Chinchilla, the award is a strong recognition of regional sport and volunteer-led community work.
It reflects the role local athletics centres play in helping children build skills and confidence.
It also gives Chinchilla Cyclones national recognition alongside major city and regional centres.
The win shows that smaller and remote centres can stand beside larger clubs on the national stage.
By the numbers
- The 2026 ceremony was held on Monday, 13 April, during a major Little Athletics weekend.
- The Coles Australian Little Athletics Championships ran from Monday, 13 April to Tuesday, 14 April 2026.
- Three Centre of the Year categories were awarded, covering Major City, Inner Regional, and Outer Regional and Remote centres.
Zoom In
Chinchilla Cyclones won the Outer Regional and Remote category.
The Centre of the Year Award recognises Little Athletics Centres that lead through strong delivery of core values.
Centres are assessed for excellence across areas including diversity and inclusion, innovation, community, governance and national involvement.
Chinchilla Cyclones was recognised alongside Adelaide Harriers Little Athletics Centre and Adelaide Plains Giants Little Athletics Centre.
Zoom Out
The ceremony also named several Hall of Fame inductees and annual award winners.
Track and Field inductees included Nina Kennedy and Eleanor Patterson.
Sportsperson inductees included Anna Flanagan and Jackie Narracott.
Lauren Jauncey was named in the Achiever category.
Annette Williams was named in the Volunteer category.
Steve Ryan received the Coles Little Athletics Australia Official of the Year Award.
Aaron Norton, the Queensland nominee, was named the Grove Juice Volunteer of the Year national winner.
Edward Fabian received Little Athletics Australia Life Membership, the organisation’s highest honour.
Other winners
- Track and Field Hall of Fame inductees: Nina Kennedy and Eleanor Patterson
- Sportsperson Hall of Fame inductees: Anna Flanagan and Jackie Narracott
- Achiever Hall of Fame inductee: Lauren Jauncey
- Volunteer Hall of Fame inductee: Annette Williams
- Official of the Year: Steve Ryan
- Centre of the Year Major City: Adelaide Harriers Little Athletics Centre
- Centre of the Year Inner Regional: Adelaide Plains Giants Little Athletics Centre
- Centre of the Year Outer Regional and Remote: Chinchilla Cyclones Little Athletics Centre
- Grove Juice Volunteer of the Year national winner: Aaron Norton, Queensland nominee
- Little Athletics Australia Life Membership: Edward Fabian
What To Look For Next?
Chinchilla Cyclones’ national win gives the centre a strong platform heading into future Little Athletics seasons.
The recognition may also help highlight the value of regional centres in developing young athletes across Australia.