Tamworth Little Athletics Club is preparing to fire the starter's pistol for what shapes as a "different" but exciting season for the club.
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As well as a new president in Kristine Sharkey, looking to provide an avenue for their senior athletes to still be involved and compete, they are opening up the Friday night competition to all ages.
Presently once they turn 17, "that's it for them", as she put it, with Little Athletics only going up to under-17s.
Many of them still want to train and compete but the opportunity just isn't there.
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Sharkey had looked at what the Armidale club does, and had also been to competition nights at Dubbo "where they've run right up to 70 years of age" and thought with the new complex and facilities it was something they could do.
So, after scouting interest among the senior athletes and discussions with Little Athletics NSW Regional Support Officer Adam Jolliffe, the committee decided to invite them to come and compete of a Friday night.
Sharkey said they will compete in the under-17s age group. It isn't just confined to the 'senior' athletes either. Adults and masters are also welcome.
"We're all for people coming on a Friday night just to have a run and compete," she said.
"The more the merrier."
When they aren't competing, she said the senior athletes will be going around and helping the younger athletes.
"We're also going to look at coaching because some of them want to get their coaching accreditation," Sharkey said.
Since they put the word out, she said they have had some good interest. Already a few parents and age managers "are keen to get involved".
They will know a bit more over the next few weeks with this Friday the first of three come-and-try nights.
Sharkey said the response online signing up for the season so far has been a bit tentative, but that hasn't come as much of a surprise in the current climate.
But she has fielded some enquiries from some new families "which has been a positive".
The presidency was somewhat a bit of a natural progression after being part of the club or on the committee for around the last six years, and filling the role at the end of last season when the incumbent moved on.
Sharkey has no doubt there will be some challenges, and acknowledged it will be a "different season".
It will also be a busy one with all the extra safety measures, but she noted she is fortunate to have an "excellent committee behind me" and a strong volunteer force.
"We want to go ahead because it is important," Sharkey said.
Coming from a teaching background, getting kids, firstly, involved in sport, and secondly wanting to stay involved is a big thing for her.
"We're really looking forward to the season and just getting stuff in place, and back to some normalcy," she said.
"Kids just want to come out and people want to get back into things."
