Pair to use equipment theft as motivation

The Geraldton Guardian’s appeal to the public to return specialised training equipment stolen from Geraldton Little Athletics Club’s shed has not resulted in anything being returned.

However athletics trainer Jacko Whitby said he had been offered some excellent in-kind donations.

“Thanks to Barry Mitchell for the $500 voucher from Sports Power,” he said.

“The Geraldton Sporting Aboriginal Corporation is going to buy some emergency equipment for me that I can continue to train with and I am waiting for it to come through. That will keep us going for a while.”

Mr Whitby said the two young people he was training to compete in the Australian All Schools Championships next month would not let the theft dampen their determination to succeed.

“We spoke about it and they said it provides a little bit more incentive to them,” he said.

“They (thieves) have pinched our equipment but they are not going to pinch our ability.”

Jonathon Garlett, 17, and Imogen Perejuan, 14, are preparing for the competition to be held in Adelaide on December 8, 9 and 10.

Jonathon is training for the high jump and Imogen for the 90 and 400m hurdles.