Where We Began………….
Little Athletics in Western Australia developed, like many community organisations, because of the efforts of one person.
In 1967, Robin Johnson saw Little Athletics in action in Victoria where he met Trevor Billingham, the founder of the Victorian Little Athletics Association. Robin was impressed by what he saw and decided on his return to Perth to commence the organisation in the West.
He enlisted the aid of a dozen helpers, athletes and officials and in February 1968 the first Little Athletics meeting was held at Perry Lakes Stadium.
Belmont’s Little Athletics was launched at Forster Park in 1971. An athletic park was established between 1972 and 1973 on Abernethy Road. It was later named the ‘Gerry Archer Athletic Park’ in honour of Gerry Archer, who served on the Shire Council from 1974 to 1979. This facility became the home of the Belmont Amateur Athletic Club and Belmont Little Athletics Association.
Mr Archer was president of the Belmont Little Athletic Centre for three years and held various other offices in the junior and senior athletics clubs at this centre in their formative years. He first served as a Belmont Councillor in May 1974 and held the post with distinction until his death in September 1979, at the age of just forty five.
The Belmont Committee wishes all of our athletes the very best for the coming season and hope that you all achieve your goals and set a huge number of Personal Bests along the way.