Athletics for the outback comes to the Pilbara

Up to 600 schoolchildren across Tom Price, Paraburdoo, Pannawonica, and Port Hedland are participating in athletics clinics this week, led by Olympic pole vaulter Kurtis Marschall.

The clinics, part of the Rio Tinto Athletics for the Outback program, are running from October 20-25 and offer local children the chance to try athletics under the guidance of professional coaches.

Tokyo 2025 World Championship bronze medallist Marschall said he was honoured to kick off the clinics in Tom Price this week and join children experiencing the power of sport.

“I’m so excited to be in Tom Price in the Pilbara and meet kids from the region dipping their toes in athletics for the first time,” he said.

“The Rio Tinto Athletics for The Outback program has made athletics more accessible to so many young people over the last few years and it’ll be an honour to help introduce them to the sport I love and the sport that has given me so many opportunities in my career and in my life.”

The clinics are part of a larger initiative that has already reached more than 1500 children in the Pilbara this year, contributing to a national total of more than 5000 participants.

Australian Athletics chief executive Simon Hollingsworth said the broader impact of the program was vast.

“These clinics are about much more than sport. They’re about connection, inspiration, and creating pathways for young people,” he said.

Rio Tinto Tom Price general manager Richard Meyer said the miner was honoured to support the program.

“We’re proud to support Athletics for the Outback as it helps young people in remote areas build confidence and a sense of community through sport,” he said.

In addition to clinics, the program also focuses on training local coaches, supporting schools, and creating long-term opportunities for youth in the region.