History
The first day of Little Athletics in Box Hill was Saturday, 12 October 1968 at the Number 4 oval at Surrey Park (the oval in front of the Box Hill Swimming Pool today). The formation of the centre in 1968 was due to the promotional work of the Box Hill Apex Club as part of their community service activities with the backing from the Victorian Little Athletics Association and their principle sponsor The Victorian Egg Board.
After the initial year at Surrey Park, followed by several years at RHL Sparks Reserve—Northern oval (near the corner of Canterbury and Albion Roads) Little Athletics in Box Hill found its way to Hagenauer Reserve in the 1990s.
The Box Hill Little Athletics Centre was traditionally divided into 4 clubs: North Box Hill; Canterbury; Koonung / Mont Albert; and Whitehorse. When enrolling, athletes were put in a club based on the school they attended.
The 2014/15 season saw the end of the traditional club set up with the committee unanimously electing to begin a new era for the Centre in the 2015/2016 season with the dissolving of the club structure, instead opting to have ALL Box Hill Athletes compete together as a centre.
Some of the elite athletes who have come through Box Hill Little Athletics are:
In 2018, Box Hill Little Athletics Centre celebrated its 50th Year. As proud as a Little Athletics Centre can be with our achievements, the centre provides enjoyment, satisfaction and fun for both the elite athlete and the child who just loves to run, jump, throw and compete. Box Hill Little Athletics always emphasises trying to improve on your previous performance as measured by your “Personal Best” rather than solely focusing on winning at all costs. Box Hill prides itself on supporting this attitude through participation and support from parents as Age group Managers, Officials and Chief Officials in the running of the Sunday afternoon program.
We greatly appreciate the voluntary service many people have given in the past serving on committees and acting as officials. These efforts and contributions have made our centre what it is today.
After the initial year at Surrey Park, followed by several years at RHL Sparks Reserve—Northern oval (near the corner of Canterbury and Albion Roads) Little Athletics in Box Hill found its way to Hagenauer Reserve in the 1990s.
The Box Hill Little Athletics Centre was traditionally divided into 4 clubs: North Box Hill; Canterbury; Koonung / Mont Albert; and Whitehorse. When enrolling, athletes were put in a club based on the school they attended.
The 2014/15 season saw the end of the traditional club set up with the committee unanimously electing to begin a new era for the Centre in the 2015/2016 season with the dissolving of the club structure, instead opting to have ALL Box Hill Athletes compete together as a centre.
Some of the elite athletes who have come through Box Hill Little Athletics are:
- Georgia Griffiths | 2024 Paris Olympics 1500m
- Steven Hooker | Olympic Games 2008 and 2012 Pole Vault, Commonwealth Games 2006 Pole Vault
- Leigh Miller | Olympic Games 1988 – 400m Hurdles and 4 x 400m Relay, Commonwealth Games 1990 – 400m Hurdles and 4 x 400Relay
- Paul Grinstead | Commonwealth Games 1982 1500m
- Scott Robertson | Commonwealth Games 2006 Diving
- Steven Parsons | Richmond Football Club 1970’s
- Jason Cripps | St Kilda Football Club 1990’s
In 2018, Box Hill Little Athletics Centre celebrated its 50th Year. As proud as a Little Athletics Centre can be with our achievements, the centre provides enjoyment, satisfaction and fun for both the elite athlete and the child who just loves to run, jump, throw and compete. Box Hill Little Athletics always emphasises trying to improve on your previous performance as measured by your “Personal Best” rather than solely focusing on winning at all costs. Box Hill prides itself on supporting this attitude through participation and support from parents as Age group Managers, Officials and Chief Officials in the running of the Sunday afternoon program.
We greatly appreciate the voluntary service many people have given in the past serving on committees and acting as officials. These efforts and contributions have made our centre what it is today.