Little Athletics

At the start of the year Milly asked me if she could do Little Athletics, which is a modified athletics program for children aged between 5-16 years old.  She had heard about it through school and so I investigated.  It turned out their season started in mid September the previous year and was due to end in March.  So with the program about to end I promised I'd sign her up for the next season later in the year.

She had previously asked if she could play soccer, but Michael and I knew she wouldn't enjoy it.  Basically, she isn't a team player.  She is very competitive and compares herself to others.  We were both hesitant to sign her up for a sport where she has to show commitment to a team, plus be a good sport.  When the emphasis should be on fun, we knew it would be anything but for all involved.  With Little Athletics the results are all individual based.  The kids are only competing against themselves and trying to beat their personal bests, all while having fun, keeping fit and learning different athletic disciplines.  So when September rolled round again this year I happily put her name down.  I also signed up Buster for a trial day and he was equally excited as Milly to have a go.  Unfortunately for Buster, the kids are grouped in ages dependent on month of birth.  As Buster is a November boy this placed him outside the cut off for the Under 6 boys and instead in a group of toddlers.  He gave it a try but really all the kids were a bit young for him and it all seemed a bit chaotic, so we didn't sign him up for the full season.

As for Milly, each week she competes in four events.  Two of these are always a running event, which is either 50m, 70m, 100m, 200m, 400m or 700m.  The other two events are either shot put, discus, hurdles, or long jump.  We are eight weeks into the season and already she has improved her times and scores in most events, which just spurs her on to better herself for the next time.  She is such a determined girl, she is even practising at home with objects found around the house.

There have been a few runs where she got upset at being last in her heat, and she didn't complete the 700m run when she first had to do it.  She is lucky all the girls in her age group are friendly and supportive of each other.  Slowly, she has accepted that winning isn't the goal but having fun, learning something new and improving are.  I think she also likes having a sport that no one else in the family does.  It makes her feel special and sets her apart.... and that's just how she likes it.