ROSEWOOD Little Athletics centre manager Kyrlie Thomson deserves a gold medal for her leadership during a tough five months.
However, she hopes an important meeting in the near future provides a much-needed boost.
After a season without access to their regular Saturday morning training hub, Kyrlie has worked hard trying to retain athletes.
She appreciates the help of Ipswich Little Athletics and Queensland Little Athletics officials in welcoming Rosewood’s young people to Friday night competition and Tuesday night training at Limestone Park in Ipswich.
“We’re still in Ipswich and we’ve continued back with Ipswich for the new year,” Kyrlie said.
“The comp nights have been in conjunction with Ipswich Little Athletics, which has been a godsend.
“For the small amount of athletes that we had, Ipswich have been nothing but fantastic, very accommodating, very supportive.”
Rosewood club athletes managed to take part in 12 meetings in the changed schedule under lights at Bill Paterson Oval.
“It’s been really lovely letting our kids join in and get some official coaching and learning some new traits,” Kyrlie said.
“The younger kids have been loving that.”
However, the Rosewood club lost some families who moved to other clubs, preferring the previous Saturday morning sessions at Rosewood State High School.
Rectification works on the athletics track and long jump pits at the school remain unfinished in the new year.
That’s why Kyrlie is seeking a meeting for clarification on the upgrade situation.
“We’re hoping, fingers crossed, that we’ll be back at Rosewood for our 2025-26 season,” she said.
“We’ve done all right but it’s heartbreaking not to be able to be back at the centre.
“We all had hoped that we would be back there.
“I think some of our athletes were hoping we would be back there in the new year.”
Due to the Rosewood State High issue, tonight [February 14] is the club’s final competition session for the season.
Kyrlie’s children Lilly (200m and long jump) and Cameron (400m, 800m and javelin) were the only club representatives contesting the latest regional championships.
Despite a drop in club numbers, Kyrlie was determined to organize an annual presentation night in late March.
She said a huge challenge was getting the committee “back to what it was”.
Kyrlie thanked everyone who remained with the club during a difficult time.
“The support we’ve had from our parents and our athletes have been fantastic,” she said.
“Some of our athletes have left and gone to other clubs because of our situation but the ones who have stuck by us have appreciated it.”
Kyrlie has been centre manager for three years. She is in her fourth season as registrar.
She said having a Little Athletics base in Rosewood was important for families, so they don’t have to travel regularly to Ipswich or Laidley or keep their kids up to 8pm on a Friday night.
Kyrlie said Rosewood’s Saturday morning sessions at the school provided an appealing option for the country community.
“Getting all the people there was good for the families and athletes that we’ve had with us long-term,” she said.
“It’s close to home.
“It fits into people’s lifestyles.
“The reason that they come to our club is because it was a Saturday morning … they go looking for that Saturday morning sporting activity.”