A new era of Australian throwing is being forged, with a cohort of more than 60 athletes and coaches gathering for an intensive Festival of Throws camp, made possible through Commonwealth Games Australia’s Green To Gold To Great program.
The initiative brought together a mix of national team members, rising Under-23 talents, and future stars in the Uder-20 and under-18 age groups for a week of high-performance training and shared learning.
Spearheaded by coach Mike Barber, the camp provided a unique opportunity for athletes to train alongside some of the best in the country while also learning from world-class coaches.
“We were incredibly fortunate to receive funding from Commonwealth Games Australia’s Green To Gold To Great initiative, and we wanted to use it to create an environment where our best throwers – current and future – could train together, grow, and inspire one another,” Barber said.
“It wasn’t just about the athletes. We also focused on upskilling our coaching network, ensuring Australia’s throws community continues to develop at all levels.”
The camp fostered a powerful mix of youth and experience, with Olympic medallists and Commonwealth champions Kelsey-Lee Barber and Matthew Denny setting the standard for professionalism, preparation, and competition mindset. Their presence had a profound impact on the next generation, said Barber.
“Our younger athletes got to see firsthand what it takes to be an elite thrower,” Barber added.
“It wasn’t just about watching them throw far; it was about seeing how they approached every training session, their level of intent, and their passion for the event. That’s something you can’t put a number on, but it’s invaluable for their development.”
The week culminated in a competition that saw some standout performances. Ethan Ayodele, competing in his first season as an Open-age discus thrower, delivered a surprise with a throw of 58.35m metres – a massive result after placing sixth at last year’s World Junior Championships.
17-year-old Jessica Johnson also shone, throwing 52.99m in the discus, a personal best that would have met the World University Games qualifying standard should she not still be in high school. Meanwhile, Paralympic medallists Michal Burian and Dayna Crees were also in action.
“There were a few other athletes knocking on the door of World Uni qualifiers, which is really exciting,” Barber said. “It was a great way to cap off the camp, even though most of the athletes were pretty banged up by then.”
The sense of camaraderie throughout the camp underscored the unique nature of the throwing community, which Barber describes as one of the most collaborative groups in athletics.
“The throws community is incredibly collegial. There are no secrets—we share knowledge openly,” he said.
“This camp wasn’t just about getting better in the moment; it was about building relationships and connections that will continue throughout the season and into future years. We want to see these athletes and coaches catching up, learning from each other, and pushing each other to new heights.”
By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted 31/1/2025
