AN attempt to avoid running events at a little athletics carnival has directed Brisbane State High School’s Alexandra Roberts on a date with destiny on the world track and field stage.
Roberts will represent Australia as a javelin thrower at the Commonwealth Youth Games to be held in the Bahamas starting on July 19.
Yet her relationship with the javelin started by accident. Roberts said about five years ago said she was needing to nominate for a fifth event at a little athletics meeting when she was ushered towards javelin throwing.
“I didn’t want to run,’’ she said. “I needed a fifth event. I was doing discus and I had not thrown a javelin before.
“It was just an event I thought I would try.’’
Roberts was told she was a natural talent and for the past four years the Year 11 student has been taking the event seriously. That (making the Youth Commonwealth Games) was in the back of my mind,’’ she said.
“In Year 8 I started training and I won the regional and went all right.’’
Her progress has been impressive since.
At the Australian All Schools Track and Field Championships she finished third, in Year 9 she came second and in Year 10 first.
“I had natural ability to start out with,’’ Roberts recalled.
“Now it has become more than natural ability.
“I enjoyed it and I wanted to train some more.
“I would like to get to the stage where I am throwing at the Olympics.’’
Roberts will be the youngest member of the national side to competition at the Games to be held July 19 to 23.
Roberts is one of three students from State High attending the Games.
Coles Little Athletics Australia acknowledges and pays respect to all traditional custodians of the lands of which we work, run, jump and throw throughout Australia. We pay respect to elders both past, present and emerging.
We are committed to a positive future for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and to honor their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this country and recognize the role and value of culture.
Little Athletics Australia
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