The Myimbarr Community Park was alive with energy and competition over the weekend as the annual Lake Illawarra Athletics summer carnival returned, now bearing a new name to honour a local legend. Hundreds of junior track and field stars from across the region flocked to the event, which has been a fixture on the sporting calendar for more than three decades.
A Carnival Steeped in History and Community
Held every second week of January, the gala day has grown into one of the largest of its kind in New South Wales. This year, the event carried a special significance as it was officially renamed the Howard McGarry Memorial Summer Carnival. The change pays tribute to a stalwart of the club and a life member who has been an integral part of the Lake Illawarra Athletics community for an incredible 50 years.
The carnival's appeal is broad, welcoming competitors from as young as three years old up to 20, with open age and masters divisions also on offer. This inclusive structure ensures athletes of all ages and abilities can participate, from toddlers taking their first steps on the track to seasoned teens aiming for personal bests.
A Showcase of Emerging Talent
The park was a hive of activity across a full spectrum of track and field disciplines. Young athletes tested their speed in sprints, endurance in distance events, and skill in field events like high jump, long jump, and shot put. One standout moment captured was Hudson Reavell from Douglas Park Athletics soaring in the 9 years boys High Jump competition, embodying the spirit and talent on display.
With over 1800 individual events contested, the scale of the carnival is immense. Organisers have confirmed that full results from all events will be made available online this week via the official Lake Illawarra Athletics website, allowing competitors and families to review their performances.
More Than Just a Sporting Event
The renaming of the carnival to honour Howard McGarry underscores the event's deeper role within the Illawarra community. It's not just a competition; it's a celebration of local dedication, volunteerism, and the enduring power of grassroots sport. The carnival provides a crucial platform for junior athletes to experience competition, build camaraderie, and foster a lifelong love for athletics.
The success of the weekend also casts a spotlight on the broader strength of Illawarra sport. It follows the recent historic achievement of Illawarra's own Jess Hull, who anchored the Australian mixed relay team to a gold medal at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Florida—a first for Australia in that event.
For the hundreds of families, coaches, and volunteers involved, the Howard McGarry Memorial Summer Carnival was another successful chapter, blending fierce competition with community pride and setting the stage for the next generation of athletic stars.
