“ If you want to be part of your kid ’ s journey and encourage them , be a volunteer and become part of it . We find it ’ s the same parents who get involved with Little A ’ s who get involved with other sports .
event Dennis has been part of , he has also been an official at the World Transplant Games , World Wheelchair Games , and the Melbourne and Gold Coast Commonwealth Games as well as cross country events . His participation has taken him all over Australia and beyond .
“ It ’ s taken me to the top in my sport . I ’ ve been to every city in Australia with my sport officiating , and also to Christchurch and other places overseas . I ’ ve made a lot of friends across the country and internationally , you get out of it what you put into it .”
While he loves being an official at the high-level events , Little Athletics has a special place in Dennis ’ heart .
“ I love seeing the kids run around and the smiles on their faces when they do well . I don ’ t ask for payment , I tell my kids , all I ask is that you put in 100 per cent , if you make it into the nationals that ’ s just a reward for your hard work .”
Dennis likes that it ’ s not only the kids who are top of their event who can feel proud of their achievements through Little A ’ s .
“ They get a point for every event and if they do a personal best they get extra points , so while one only kid comes first in an event , if the person in fifth place does a personal best , they will get more points ,” Dennis explained .
It teaches them to be proud of their achievements , to work hard and improve their own times or distances , it shows them sportsmanship , and these are all good lessons for all kids to learn . All their points add up over the season and they all get a trophy at the end of the year .” While he loves seeing the kids blossom , he ’ s also keen to encourage parents to join in and make it a family event , rather than have them sit on the sidelines and watch their kids participate .
“ If you want to be part of your kid ’ s journey and encourage them , be a volunteer and become part of it . We find it ’ s the same parents who get involved with Little A ’ s who get involved with other sports .
“ In Castle Hill for example , we have about 880 children , so that would be about 3 – 400 families there every week . There are so many jobs that need to be done that we need all the parent helpers we can get ! You can help to set up , work the long jump pits , do the starting , canteen or packing up at the end of the day . It doesn ’ t need to be every week , but every bit of assistance is welcome .”
So , if your child attends a Little A ’ s club , why not think about stepping up and giving some of your time to help out
Dennis takes to the field in his trusty golf cart to check what ’ s going on .
at an activity that your child enjoys . It will allow you to be more interactive with their chosen sports , help you meet new people , show your child the importance of giving back , and you never know , maybe if you work at it , you will officiate at an Olympics or Commonwealth Games like Dennis .
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THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 90 // DECEMBER 2022 7