A Timber man, A Violinist, A Torres Strait Islander - All about our World U20 team

Not only are they talented on the track but the Australian Team for the World U20s have an interesting array of skills, interests, heroes, jobs and studies.

Let’s have a look. 

We have a timber man, a violinist, a former International trampolinist, a Torres Strait Islander, a sister of a 2016 World U20 championships representative, the niece of an artist who has won the Archibald Prize and Dobell Prize, daughter of a Commonwealth Games medallist, daughter of a Wallaby, winner of the Olympic schools Pierre De Coubertin Award, niece of a Socceroo, grand daughter of a basketball hall of famer and a Paralympic medallist.

Three athletes were born overseas, in Warsaw, Poland, San Diego, USA and Pretoria, South Africa. Team members can speak a mixture of languages - French, Polish, German, Croatian and Italian. Discus thrower Talosaga Kia can say hello in 20 languages.

There are 21 team members currently enrolled in university and it’s no surprise that sport related courses are popular. Seven athletes are pursuing Exercise and Sports Science, another the related field of Human Sciences and Human Movement, while two are studying physiotherapy. Similarly, we have athletes studying Applied Science, Nutrition Science and Psychological Science. 

Interesting other courses include Business, Media and Communication, Commerce and Law, Biomedicine, Criminology, Veterinary bioscience and Arts.

Behind these talented young athletes there have been numerous people in their pathway and support crew. In addition to their family, their coaches have guided and nurtured our athletes. 

• Team List including Coaches

On their journey to Finland, there have been many organisations. They include Little Athletics Centres, athletics clubs, schools and universities. There are some organisations which feature heavily. Jimboomba Little Athletics Centre was attended by three Queensland athletes. Two clubs, Deception Bay and Jimboomba Athletics Club have three members on the team. Queensland’s Griffith University has three athletes on the team and Deakin University in Melbourne has four representatives.

So many organisations have played a huge part in the development of our athletes, including:

• Little Athletics Centres
• Current clubs
• Current schools or universities they attend

Little Athletics Centres

ACT - Woden, Gungahlin
NSW - Camden, Hills District, Ku-ring-gai, Kurri Kurri, Manly Warringah, Mosman and Northern Suburbs, Parramatta
QLD - Algester, Ashgrove Rangers, Beaudesert and District (2), Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Deception Bay (3), Gold Coast (2), Jimboomba (3), Ipswich, Noosa (2), Pittsworth and District, Toowoomba South
SA - Tea Tree Gully, Golden Grove
VIC - Corio, Diamond Valley, Doncaster, Essendon, Grovedale (2), Kew, Knox (2), Sandringham, Waverley, Williamstown, Yarra Ranges
WA - Melville (2), Southern Districts, Woodvale, Sorrento

Athletics Clubs

ACT - North Canberra, Western Creek, Woden (2)
NSW - Camden, Sydney Pacific, Sydney University (2), Trinity, UTS Norths (2),
QLD - Deception Bay (2), Fairholme, Fast track, Gold Coast Victory (2), Intraining Athletics, Ipswich & District, Jimboomba (3), Mayne Harriers, Noosa (2), North Star, Pace Project, QE2 Track, Townsville North Star, University of Queensland (2)
SA - Hills Districts, Western Districts
VIC - Athletics Chilwell, Athletics Essendon, Box Hill, Deakin, Diamond Valley, Doncaster (2), Essendon, Geelong Guild, Nunawading, Old Scotch, Ringwood (2), Sandringham, Williamstown
WA - Melville, Tracksters, University of WA

Universities

Macquarie, Sydney (2), University of Technology Sydney, Griffith (3), Australian Catholic University, Queensland University of Technology, Mississippi, Queensland, Adelaide, Deakin (4), Melbourne, Latrobe (2), Edith Cowan, Western Australia
High Schools and Secondary colleges
Trinity Grammar, Castle Hill, Brisbane State, Canterbury College, St Margaret's School, Geelong Grammar, Doncaster Secondary College and Maribyrnong College.

David Tarbotton for Athletics Australia

Athletics Australia will cover #tampere2018 live on Twitter with a daily summary and features on other social channels. That's just one way to follow the champs. Here's your guide to help you watch all the action.

Championships start Tuesday 10 July 4pm AEST and continue through to Sunday 15 July 11pm AEST. 

Previews

• Australian Women's Track Preview- World U20s
• Australian Men’s Track Preview - World U20s
• Australian Women’s Field Preview - World U20s
• Australian Men’s Field Preview - World U20s
• Australian Men's and Women's Multis Preview - World U20s

Media Guide

A comprehensive media guide (PDF) is available from the World U20 hub on the Athletics Australia homepage and includes:

• Extensive biography on each athlete including human interest info
• Timetables
• Historical information, statistics and records
• Team Lists
• Athlete state, hometown, coach name

Athletics Australia Social Channels

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TV

Eurosport Australia will televise the IAAF World U20 Championships on Foxtel | Session Times

Photos

Facebook Photo Albums

Tampere 2018 World Under 20 Championships at IAAF

IAAF Timetable by Day | Timetable by Discipline

News and Official Results | IAAF App on iPhone and Android IAAF Radio