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

For about 16 weeks this season, Coles will give four boxes of bananas each week to the Merriwa Little Athletics Club as part of its national sponsorship of Little Athletics.

Coles is also signing on 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, she encouraged kids to join Little Athletics this year.

“Little Athletics gave me the start I needed to be successful and fulfil my dreams,” Pearson said.

“I urge more kids across Australia to create their own story through athletics.

“I hope that the children 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.”

Pearson 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,” she said.

“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.”

Scone Coles store manager Carrie Edwards said Coles was delighted to be partnering with Little Athletics to help drive participation in Little Athletics in communities like Merriwa.

“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,” she said.

“We also know our customers at Merriwa love sport and getting involved with their local club.

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

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 Merriwa to ensure further growth in the sport,” he said.

“Last year we had about 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