North Rocks Carlingford shows athletics is a sport for all

Every Saturday at Kingsdene Oval, more than 40 Multi Class athletes line up alongside everyone else at North Rocks Carlingford Little Athletics Club (NRCLAC), taking part in the same program as the rest of the club.

It’s the result of more than a decade of work to build one of the largest Multi Class programs in NSW, one where athletes of all abilities can take part, compete and belong.

The program caters for athletes from the youngest age groups through to seniors, with each athlete supported to participate in a way that works for them.

“Athletics is a very accessible, low-commitment, community-based sport, and Multi Class adds the dimension of making that just as accessible to any person,” NRCLAC President John Williams said.

For Williams, the focus is on making sure every athlete gets the same enjoyment and sense of belonging as anyone else at the club.

“It doesn’t matter about results at the end of the day. They’re having fun, they’re getting fit, and they’re with family,” he said.

That family feeling extends to the people who help run the club each week.

“We are very fortunate that we’ve got enough helpers at events each week,” Williams said.

Many of those helpers are athletes themselves. A large group of committed under-16s has given the club two captains and two vice-captains, while older athletes mentor younger ones and help run events, with some now taking responsibility for events at the club.

“It’s athlete led. It doesn’t have parents doing every single part of the program,” he said.

The same spirit welcomes new families, with about a quarter of this season’s families new to NRCLAC. Williams credited a keen committee, many of whom have their own children involved, for the club’s momentum, and said the club wants new parents to know that getting involved is easy and a great way to meet people.

“It’s not a big ask, it’s not scary, it’s easy to follow,” he said. “Every bit of help that you get matters. Give them little jobs, make it easy.”

The benefits reach well beyond Saturday mornings. Multi Class athletes are also finding success on the track and field, and Williams said they become role models, inspiring other athletes and their families.

NRCLAC has also been sharing its experience with other clubs. After an introduction from NSW Athletics, a committee member from Manly Warringah Athletics spoke with NRCLAC while preparing to launch a Multi Class program of their own.

“It gave me a good community feel about just how much benefit you can get from sharing,” Williams said.

Clubs interested in starting a Multi Class group or sharing ideas are encouraged to contact NRCLAC or NSW Athletics. Families who are unsure whether Multi Class is right for their child can also contact NSW Athletics to discuss their circumstances.