Dear Parent Member,

I have great pleasure in welcoming you and your family to Aspley Little Athletics Centre for the 2007/2008 Season.

The Aspley Centre has in the last twenty-five years developed a very strong spirit amongst the children and also amongst the parents. The children have a fine record of achievement, not only in Centre Competitions, but also in the Inter-Centre Competitions, the State Relay and the State Individual Tides. In the last twenty-four seasons, twenty-five children from the Centre have been chosen to represent Queensland at the Australian Championships.

We are very proud of those children, but our Centre and Little Athletics is aimed at all children no matter what their ability or previous experience. Our aim is not to simply create champions, with unnecessary pressures, but to cultivate the children's desire to improve their skills against their own time or distance.

With the assistance of the Kedron Wavell Services Club this season we again have expert AT&FCA qualified coaches who will be available to help improve ALL children at our home ground, Paul O'Brien Oval, Bowden Park.

Athletics develops the children's co-ordination and skills in a friendly-fun way and helps to promote confidence in themselves.

Aspley believes that Little Athletes, whether champions or novices are firstly and most importantly CHILDREN. They are taught that there are winners and losers and taught the attitude to cope with overpowering pressures. The basic goal is to improve, not necessarily to win, and PROPER competition is an invaluable teacher.

Our Centre also believes that Little Athletics is more than a sport - it enables the whole family to do something together and provides a vital communication bridge between parents and their children which has benefits far beyond the years spent in the Centre.

Whether or not parents have previous athletics experience, their participation is needed to run competitions and programs. Courses to help parents understand the rules which apply to our competitions are planned for early in the season. The children need your assistance and we will show you what is required - it is easy - basically we ask you to give your child some of your time.

Please help us to help your child.

PAUL O'BRIEN O. A.M. FSSA
PRESIDENT/CENTRE MANAGER

August 2007