When Andrew and Rebecca Phelan moved to Canowindra eight years ago their search for a fun activity for their children to participate in lead them to the Canowindra Little Athletics Club.
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At the time Andrew probably wasn't aware of just how he involved he would become in the club after finding out that a Tiny Tots section was needed to cater for the younger children.
This involvement resulted in presentation of club life membership to Andrew at the Little A's presentation night last week.
"I moved to Canowindra eight years ago and was looking for a sport for my kids to participate in," Andrew told the Canowindra News.
"They didn't have a Tiny Tots program so I decided to start one up.
"The Little A's motto is "Family, Fun & Fitness", which really hits home with me," he explained.
Andrew's involvement in Little A's stretches back to when he was much younger.
"I was a member of Northern Illawarra Little Athletics Club for a couple of years as a kid, close to 30 years ago," he said.
"They held their competition on a Friday night at Bulli High School."
Andrew is a strong advocate for the involvement of all kids in Little A's.
"Little Athletics is the foundation for all sports"," he said.
"All sports use the skills developed at Little Athletics."
While helping on the sidelines Andrew loves to watch the kids compete and enjoys taking his own children to compete both locally and in other centres.
"I enjoy watching my kids compete in all running, jumping and throwing events, but my favourite event to watch at the moment is triple jump.
"My wife and I enjoy taking our kids Sophie, Thomas and Claire to compete in carnivals.
"State Multi's would have to be the highlight of the Little A's calendar.
Little Athletics is the foundation for all sports. All sports use the skills developed at Little Athletics
- Andrew Phelan
"For a small country town, it always amazes me how well athletes from Canowindra Little Athletics Centre do at zone, region and state athletics carnivals."
As for the future Andrew said he would love for the Canowindra club to have access to more funding.
"I am sure we are not the only sporting club from a small country town to say that 'money' is required to replace outdated equipment, some of which is nearly 30 years old.
"Little Athletics equipment is extremely expensive.
"I would really like to replace our hurdles, but the estimated cost of over $6000 is well out of our reach."
