Thirty up and coming young athletes from the Hunter and Central Coast academies of sport have been treated to an inspirational afternoon tea with Australian track stars Tamsyn Manou (nee Lewis), Pirrenee Steinert and Laura Whaler thanks to the Greater Building Society.

The Greater sponsored, and helped Athletics NSW to organize, the event which was held in a Newcastle café ahead of last weekend’s Hunter Track Classic at the Hunter Sports Centre.

The women only afternoon tea was hosted by Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Star newspaper editor Kim-Cherie Davidson. It allowed the young athletes to bond with the star athletes in a relaxed manner and to receive the benefit of their experience in areas such as training and motivation.

The Greater is also a major sponsor of the Hunter Track Classic, a major athletics meet that forms part of the National Athletics Series.

The three afternoon tea stars all performed well. Manou pipped Steinert to win the 400m. Whaler, who is also a Greater Building Society Olympic Scholarship holder, finished second in the 200m and third in the 100m.

Other Greater Building Society Olympic Scholarship holders who performed well include Liam Gander who finished third in the men’s 100m and Benn Harradine who finished second in the men’s discus.

Partnerships manager, Steve Goverd, said the Greater’s sponsorship of the Hunter Track Classic, academies of sport and the afternoon tea was part of its philosophy of giving back to the community to give young, local athletes, the chance to be the best that they can be.

For more information about the Hunter Track Classic click here

To see some photos of the afternoon tea, courtesy of The Star, click here.