Bundeena Maianbar and Sutherland Little Athletics Centres have received combined grants of $7500 to buy new equipment thanks to money raised through the sale of Coles' community chiller bags.
The Little Athletics centres in the Sutherland Shire are among 316 centres across Australia to share in more than $1.1 million in grants from Coles.
Bundeena Maianbar Little Athletics' president Elice Stevill hoped the $4100 boost would help their athletes better prepare for state and regional carnivals.
"We currently don't have any starting blocks at our club which means our athletes are disadvantaged when it comes to competing against athletes who have trained and competed with them all their lives," Stevill said.
"The new starting blocks will put our athletes on an equal footing with other athletes at regional and state competitions and allow them to compete at their best."
Sutherland Little Athletics' president Elizabeth Lee said the $3300 injection would make a big difference to her centre.
"The Coles grant will allow us to replace our hurdles which are over 10 years old. We have many athletes that enjoy hurdles and the new hurdles will enable us to run this event much more efficiently and safely," Lee said.
Coles state general manager Emma Bridges said Coles was delighted to provide grants to help the Little Athletics centres in locations such as Sutherland and Bundeena.
"Thanks to our customers who have bought our range of chiller bags at Coles stores we have provided nearly $400,000 in sports equipment grants to Little Athletics centres across NSW and over $1.1 million nationally in the past 12 months to help kids lead healthier, happier lives," Bridges said.
"The Sutherland and Bundeena Maianbar Little Athletics Centres told us they would like to receive grants to buy hurdles and starting blocks and we were delighted to help because we know these are an essential part of Little Athletics to support young budding athletes."
In addition to the chiller bags, Coles sells community bags which help raise money for SecondBite, Guide Dogs Australia and Clean Up Australia. All community bags were designed by school children as part of a bag design competition.
