The mixed relay team from Premer Public School has qualified for state level, after achieving a third placing in the recent North West Athletics carnival.
Schools from Premer, Gunnedah, Quirindi, Tamworth, Narrabri, Armidale, Moree, Inverell, Coonamble and Coonabarabran competed in the carnival at Tamworth Regional Athletics Centre on Wednesday of last week.
The Premer team of Izzabel Laundess, Alexandra Rankin, Lachlan Campbell and Toby Sturrock placed third in the Elizabeth Austen Mixed Relay for Small Schools, involving schools with no more than 25 students.
Upon realising the Premer quartet had reached state level, Premer Public School parent Kimberley Campbell said the parents seemed even more excited than the students at first.
“Once the adrenaline dropped down (for the four students) and they realised what they had accomplished, their excitement level was a wonderful thing to watch,” she said.
Izzabel, Alexandra, Lachlan and Toby will head to Sydney on October 22, and compete in the NSW Primary Schools Sports Association (PSSA) Primary Athletics Championship at the Homebush-based stadium the following day.
“We are planning on utilising experienced members of our community to train the kids leading up to state,” Ms Campbell said.
“They will work on their running style, stride distance, endurance and of course those crucial baton passes.
“They have been training hard and we hope to hold our own in the ‘big smoke’.”
Premer Public School was closed at the end of 2018 before reopening in 2021, with the school now having 12 students (with two more set to start in term four) and two part-time teachers in addition to the principal and support staff.
