And to provide kids with a nutritional boost at training, Coles plans to donate more than two million bananas this season to Little Athletics clubs around the country.

This season Coles will donate four boxes of bananas each week to the Gloucester Little Athletics Club as part of its national sponsorship of Little Athletics.

Coles is also signing on Sally Pearson as an ambassador for the next three years to promote Little Athletics, sport, health and wellbeing among young Australians.

Fresh from her win at the world championships in London, Sally Pearson encouraged kids to join Little Athletics this year.

“Little Athletics gave me the start I needed to be successful and fulfil my dreams. I encourage more kids across Australia to create their own story through athletics,” she said.

“I hope that the kids understand that it doesn’t matter if you’re not winning when you’re this age, you can always be an Olympic champion if your heart is set on it and you dream big.”

Sally also welcomed the partnership between Little Athletics and Coles, which would provide necessary funding for local clubs.

“Little Athletics is a very important organisation that adds value to our children’s health and wellbeing. It’s essential to have funding and Coles is the answer to our prayers.”

“I was also an ambassador for Coles leading up to the London Olympics and I’ve seen first-hand their passion for a healthy lifestyle and fresh food so I’m glad that I can be a part of that.”

“I do remember coming back from training sessions and sometimes eating about five bananas. They are a favourite fruit of mine so I am very excited by Coles’ initiative to donate bananas to clubs.”

Wingham Coles store manager Gillian Howard said Coles was delighted to be partnering with Little Athletics to help drive participation in Little Athletics in the local community.

“We are passionate about our fresh food and we want to support health, fun and fitness in the community through our partnership with Little Athletics.  We also know our customers love sport and getting involved with their local club,” she said.

“As well as our financial support, we wanted to donate bananas to energise local kids during training sessions.”

Coles Little Athletics Australia CEO Martin Stillman said he hoped the number of kids joining Little Athletics would continue to grow locally and across Australia.

“Little Athletics is an iconic brand in the Australian sporting landscape and the Coles partnership will mean we can provide more support and resources to centres including Gloucester to ensure further growth in the sport.”

“Last year we had around 95,000 children registered around Australia and we hope that number will increase with kids joining Little Athletics for the first time.”

To join Little Athletics, log on to littleathletics.com.au