PARTICIPANTS and branch officials at Rosewood Little Athletics were thrilled to be back on home turf with some welcome support.

They returned to Rosewood State High School last Saturday for the “relaunch” of their venue and new season which will ramp up in coming months.

Rosewood club competitors relocated to Limestone Park in Ipswich last season for training sessions when the school grounds were unavailable due to construction works.

However, assistance from Ipswich City Council – through patron Cr Jim Madden - enabled the club to again have Saturday morning sessions at Rosewood State High.

Centre manager and registrar Kyrlie Thomson was also grateful to have new sponsor Aurizon helping the grassroots club with a new tent, along with ongoing backing from the Rising Sun Hotel.

Kyrlie was all smiles seeing young athletes from the area honing their skills in preparation for regular competitions in coming months.

“It’s a relaunch back to Rosewood, which is real exciting,” Kyrlie said.

“It’s good to be back here.”

She said the Rosewood centre had 61 athletes already gearing up for the new Little Athletics season.

That includes 11 Tiny Tots, aged three to five, helping provide new talent and family support for the future.

“Our biggest age groups are from under-6s through to the under-10’s,” she said.

The club also caters for athletes from under-11 to under-17.

Kyrlie said she appreciated Ipswich Little Athletics Centre officials making her young competitors welcome during last season’s venue switch.

“Ipswich was great,” she said.

However, she was pleased to have Rosewood facilities like a main oval, discus circle and high jump area for her young athletes to progress under the centre motto of “Family, Fun and Fitness”.

“It’s a great outlet for the youth to come and have some fun,” she said. “Getting the community together.

“I like to see athletes develop.”

Kyrlie said the Rosewood club introduced kids to new athletic skills with weekly training and regular events, and options to go further in the sport.

Dedicated centre official Abbey Bird and new committee member Naomi Gartner joined parents in welcoming young athletes back to the school.

Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann was among the keen onlookers delighted to see the next generation of athletes enjoying their sport in a safe environment.

“We’re looking at future [international achievers] Jessica Hulls, or Nikola Olyslager or Gout Gout,” Shayne said.

He said families new to the area provided young athletes with exciting potential “who wouldn’t be back here in Rosewood without this particular club starting”.

The Federal member was also keen to assist the club with future grant opportunities.

Kyrlie is in her fourth season as centre president and fifth year as registrar.

Other 2025-2026 committee members include treasurer Troy Patterson, secretary Abbey Bird and Louise and Paul McNamara, who look after equipment and the grounds.

Rosewood Little Athletics was formed in 1986 by a small group of parents who saw the need in the community.

The first competition was staged in 1987 and has developed in recent years.