by Greg Martin

Any parent , grandparent or guardian who has had children involved in Little Athletics Australia knows that it is their participating which makes Little A ’ s tick .

It is they who fill various roles on club committees and at each competition they measure jumps and throws , click stopwatches on and off , rake jumping pits , the list goes on !

Susan Ferrier lived another life prior to becoming heavily involved with Little A ’ s 13 years ago when her eldest child , Caitlyn 6 , became a member of the powerful

Susan ’ s daughter , Caitlyn

Kurrajong-Bilpin Little Athletics Club .

“ I completed an Exercise Science degree at Wollongong University and became a personal trainer in the fitness industry prior to having the first of my three children ,” Susan explained .

“ First there was Caitlyn and then over two-year intervals there followed Cameron and Josh – Josh is autistic and supervising him , being a mother and wife to Sandy , and my involvement in Little Athletics occupies all my time .

When Caitlyn linked with Kurrajong- Bilpin for her first season in Little A ’ s for the 2008-09 season , Susan ’ s involvement consisted of doing all those various chores required at the event stations .

“ Never for a moment did I find it a chore attending the Friday evening meetings at McMahon ’ s Park - it was heart-warming watching the children enjoying jumping , running and throwing ,” Susan said .

The following season , the now seasoned athletics official took on the task of managing the Under 8 years girls .

Two years later , she became a member of the club ’ s hard-working committee and down the years since , Susan has held several positions on the committee including secretary and treasurer and for nine years has been the results and records recorder .

Susan now edits the club ’ s popular Facebook page , ensuring each member is kept up to speed with club happenings .

Her current role is that of Championships Officer in which she oversees the needs of members who

compete in zone , regional , state and national championships .

With coaches like the indomitable and highly-respected Marilyn Pearson and Jonathan Blunden imparting their knowledge , each season Kurrajong-Bilpin is strongly represented at championship levels .

“ My other son , Cameron , has been a member of the club and Josh , who used to come along and cheer on his sister and brother , is now competing in the under 15s so I am still very much involved at all levels ,” Susan said .

Such has been her dedication to Little A ’ s , Susan was a finalist in the 2017-18 Little Athletics NSW Volunteer of the Year Award , received a Hawkesbury Sports Awards Service to Sport Medallion and a revered Life Membership of Kurrajong Bilpin LAC .

Down the years since Little A ’ s formation in 1963 , a host of young athletes have gone on to become Olympians and national champions .

Among them are Steve Hooker , Nathan Deakes , Melinda Gainsford-Taylor , Jana Pittman , Jane Saville , Darren Clark , Brandon Starc , Debbie Wells , Nova Peris and Sally Pearson .

Joining that elite list is Caitlyn Ferrier who has done her parents and club proud .

Caitlyn won multiple state and national titles in Little A ’ s and has taken her skills into the senior ranks , being selected in the Australian team to compete at the World Under 20 Athletics Championships in Nairobi last July 7-12 .

However due to COVID-19 concerns ,

Proud Little Athletics parent , Susan Ferrier .

the Australian squad was withdrawn from the championships .

Caitlyn is determined to continue her excellent form across the 200m and 400m events and earn selection in the national team which heads to Cali , Columbia in August next year for the Under 20 world titles .

I asked Susan : “ in horse racing parlance , does Caitlyn throw to you or the sire ?”. Susan laughed and said it “ was probably Sandy ”.

“ I did a bit of slow cross country running at school so I suppose as you say , she throws to Sandy who was a handy high jumper and rugby league player in his younger days .”

Susan Ferrier may well have been a slouch on the sporting field but as a hardworking supporter of Little A ’ s , she wins a gold medal every time !

For more info on Kurrajong-Bilpin Little Athletics , go to www . kblac . org , au or give Susan a tingle on 0402 917 126 .