Karratha hosts North West Athletics championship with special guests Cruz Hogan, Olivia Gross

The heart of Karratha was alive with sporting fervour as the 2023 WA North West Athletics Championships graced the city last weekend. This marked a triumphant return of the event to Karratha after a hiatus since 2018, and the local community embraced it with open arms. The Frank Butler Community Centre served as the battleground for this thrilling competition. Funded by the Fremantle Foundation, Athletics Australia, and Rio Tinto, the championships saw the renowned Athletics West organization collaborate to bring elite athletes to Karratha once more. Their mission extended beyond competition as they engaged with Aboriginal and school communities in the lead-up to the North West Championships. The North West Athletics Championships offered a golden opportunity for aspiring athletes, ranging from those under six years old to open-age groups, to showcase their talent across various events in partnership with Athletics West. The organisation left no stone unturned in ensuring a well-rounded experience, hosting a multitude of athletics activities for the youth. Participants of all ages indulged in exhilarating events such as 100m, 200m, and 1500m running and sprinting races. Jumping enthusiasts found delight in the long jump, triple jump, and high jump. For those with a knack for throwing, shot put, discus, and javelin competitions awaited. Adding star power to the event, Athletics West invited special guests, including the current WA State Champion in the 200m, Cruz Hogan, and Australian world championship representative and pole vaulter, Olivia Gross. Their presence provided inspiration and valuable guidance to the young athletes throughout the weekend. This year, 141 eager kids registered for the event, though a few had to withdraw due to unforeseen sickness or injuries. The competition drew youngsters not only from Karratha but also from Port Hedland, Derby, Broome and Newman, transforming the championships into a regional sporting spectacle. Hogan expressed his enthusiasm for the event, highlighting its significance in nurturing young talent. “For me, my role was to help out the kids and give them some technical advice so that they can build on their fundamental movement skills to help them with their throwing and also to speak to the parents about how to give their kids tips on any technical cues they could give their kids,” he said. “From my perspective, it was kind of going full circle as I started athletics when I was seven years old. It was a cool flashback to see those kids getting involved where I had started as well.” Athletics West chief executive Vince Del Prete shared his delight at witnessing high-calibre athletes inspire the Karratha community and kickstart the North West Championships. “Following on from WA’s most successful World Championship campaign ever, we are excited to get Australian athletes out into the community and work to inspire the next generation of athletes,” he said. “The talent in regional WA is staggering, and tours like this are critical to help support regional athletes’ journey.” The athletes, in addition to competing, conducted 11 sessions for primary and high school-aged children across Karratha, leaving a lasting impact on the local youth.