Hard on the heels of the Olympics and Paralympics, the next generation of talented public schools’ young athletes showed off their wares at the recently completed NSW Primary Schools Sports Association (NSWPSSA) Primary Athletics Championship.

More than 2200 athletes competed across two days at Sydney Athletic Centre, Olympic Park, with eight able-bodied records and 76 multiclass records set or broken.

The championship also featured the School Sport Unit’s first engagement of secondary student commentators in its live-streamed coverage.

The pilot concept supported students with an interest in pursuing a career in media, television presenting or sports commentary.

Over the two days of the championship, a group of secondary students were mentored by experienced commentators, as they developed ‘on the job’ skills in sports commentary.

The event live streams have already attracted more than 80,000 views.

The NSWPSSA Primary Athletics Convener, Peter Cardy, said the event was a huge success.

“Not only through the attendance, performances and interest in our streaming platform, but also through our teacher professional learning initiative,” he said.

“Teachers who have an interest in representative school sport roles get to learn on the job, acting as officials.

“It’s the second year we’ve done the program, and teachers have reported how they’ve enjoyed increased involvement and feel more confident in the delivery of quality sport and physical activity programs for their local school and zone networks.”

NSW PSSA Primary Athletics Championship standout performances

Multiclass Girls

• Scarlett Monk (Laurieton Public School) – Gold: Senior girls 800m, long jump

Multiclass Boys

• Elijah Duckworth (Lucas Heights Community School) – Gold: Senior boys 100m, 200m, 800m, long jump

• Cody Wheeler (Nangus Public School) – Gold: Junior boys 100m, 200m, discus, shot put

Able-bodied Girls

• Josephine Han (Manly Vale Public School) Gold: Junior girls 800m, 1500m (new record)

• Harlow Pate (Wilton Public School) – Gold: Junior girls 200m (new record long jump, 10 years girls 100m)

• Maya Tanko (Caringbah North Public School) - Gold: 11 years girls 100m, 200m

• Savannah Auvaa (Bathurst South Public School) - Gold:12-13 years girls shot put, discus

• Chelsea Wright (Werrington County Public School) – Gold: 12 years girls 100m, 12-13 years girls 200m

Able-bodied Boys

• Kobe Short (Valentine Public School) - Gold:11 years boys 800m, 1500m (new record)

• Ricky Spiropoulos (Willoughby Public School) – Gold: Junior boys 200m, 10 years boys 100m

• Matthew Faulkner (Bonnet Bay Public School) – 12/13 years boys 800m, 1500m

A squad of 182 athletes has been selected for the NSW team to compete at the School Sport Australia 12 years and under Track and Field Championship at the Sydney Athletic Centre from 28 November to 2 December.