mmg.com.au

Shepparton’s Nick Lees admits he gets nervous before he competes, but in truth he has little to worry about.

The 12-year-old St Brendan’s Primary School student will represent Victoria at the School Sport Australia 12 years and under Track and Field Championships in Adelaide this weekend — and his pet events are not even on the program.

Lees’ favourite events are the hurdles and the triple jump, but he will make do with contesting the long jump and multi-event — which includes the long jump, shot put, 100m and 800m events.

‘‘I’m not (nervous) yet, but I will be,’’ Lees said.

‘‘I just try to think about other things.

‘‘Hopefully, I can get (personal bests) in my events.’’

It would not be the first time.

This is the second year in a row Lees has qualified for the championships, having scored a bronze medal in the 4x100m relay and placed fifth in the long jump with significant personal bests last year in Darwin.

While his cricket commitments occasionally clash with Little Athletics meets, Lees has not let it affect his preparation.

He often trains twice a day to make sure he is ready for this weekend’s nationals.

‘‘Most mornings we go out about 7am and run for 15 to 20 minutes and in the afternoons I practice my shot put, long jump and do sprints,’’ he said.

Lees will be joined in Adelaide by two other local representatives.

Guthrie St Primary School athlete Jade Downie qualified for the 200m and was selected to compete in the multi-event.

Leia Varley, who hails from Finley, but attends Goulburn Valley Grammar, will also contest the multi-event as well as the shot put, discus and shot put relay events.

Varley is in the unique position of representing Victoria at the schools championship, but NSW for Little Athletics, which she will likely do in the coming months.

The SSA championships get underway tomorrow and conclude on Tuesday.