Olympian Brandon Starc receives warm welcome to Gunnedah

Three-time Olympian Brandon Starc was welcomed to Gunnedah as he shared his sporting journey with budding local young athletes.

The Australian high jump champion and joint Australian record holder was in town as part of the Coles Community Round on Saturday, 7 November.

More than 150 athletes featured as part of the regular competition day staged by Gunnedah Athletics Centre which coincided with the Olympian’s visit.

Gunnedah Athletics Centre was selected to host Brandon Starc as part of the Coles Community Round.

The Gunnedah club was among the organisations to be supported through the Coles Little Athletics Community Fund.

This year, the supermarket celebrated a major milestone of $3 million awarded to grassroots clubs and centres since 2018.

Starc has achieved an impressive career, including two Commonwealth Games medals and multiple national and international titles. His visit to Gunnedah Athletics Centre provided a fantastic opportunity for local students and community members to meet the elite Australian athlete.

Brandon Starc enjoyed spending time with the young athletes, including signing autographs.

“It’s a pleasure to be able to visit regional Little Athletics Centres for Coles Community Round this year,” Starc said.

“I know that a lot of kids from areas like Tamworth and Gunnedah face additional challenges in participating in sport and going onto the next level.

“Hopefully these Coles Community Round visits can play a role in motivating these athletes to dream big and go all the way.”

Brandon Starc offered tips to Gunnedah’s young athletes.

Gunnedah Athletics Centre president Kate Ceeney said the young athletes were excited to meet someone of Starc’s caliber.

The group was also thrilled to be selected as a club to host an ambassador in the Coles Community Round.

“We were very excited that we were chosen,” Ceeney said.

Brandon Starc addresses the crowd in Gunnedah.

She thanked Coles for their support in enabling Starc to visit Gunnedah and its promising youth athletes.

During Starc’s visit, the club measured out his 2.36 metre high jump record to explain his accomplishments to the local participants.

The children were also eager to have memorabilia autographed by Starc.

Ceeney praised Starc for the attention he gave to the children during his visit.

Brandon Starc with some of the young athletes on Saturday.

“He was a great guy,” Ceeney said.

“We were lucky to have him here in Gunnedah.”

Ceeney thanked parents and athletes for their support at the weekend and made particular mention of the Gunnedah Athletics committee for their efforts in staging the activities.