Thirteen new athletes added to Gold Coast GOLD

Athletics Australia has bolstered its Gold Coast GOLD Relay Program today, with 13 new athletes extended the offer of membership as the 2018 Commonwealth Games fast approach.

Proudly supported by Commonwealth Games Australia, membership to the program ensures enhanced daily training environment and medical support for the nation’s best sprinters as they prepare to stake their claim for nomination to the Australian Commonwealth Games Team.

“The Gold Coast GOLD Relay Program has been made possible thanks to the continued support of Commonwealth Games Australia. We are very appreciative of their continued contribution to athletics,” Alison Campbell, Acting High Performance Director at Athletics Australia, said.

“Their investment ensures Athletics Australia’s ability to be able to provide the best possible environment for relay preparation and success at Gold Coast 2018, with the Program in the coming 12 months to feature multiple opportunities for athletes to train and develop their relay prowess together.”

Nick Andrews (NSW), Aaron Bresland (WA), Rohan Browning (NSW) and Olivia Tauro (NSW) have been added to the men’s 4x100m and women’s 4x400m relay squads after their contribution to green and gold success at the IAAF World Relays last month.

While Australian 100m record holder Melissa Breen (ACT), joins the women's 4x100m team of seven alongside Commonwealth Youth Games team members Riley Day (Qld) and Ella Connolly (Qld).

Rounding out the expanded squads are a mix of Australia's best young sprinters including Christian Davis (Vic, 4x400m), Jackson Collett (NSW, 4x400m), Daniel Mowen (Qld, 4x400m), Maddie Coates (Vic, 4x100m), Mia Gross (Vic, 4x100m) and Bendere Oboya (NSW, 4x400m).

Jodi Lambert and Adam Larcom will continue in their roles as Squad Coach, with Matt Beckenham to join the Program as coaching lead for the men’s 4x400m relay.

“The outstanding results we saw in Nassau from the men’s 4x100m and women’s 4x400m relays indicates the performances that result from the establishment of a high performance culture and a commitment to relay running from athletes and their personal coaches. It is our intention to make every effort to extend this success across the other teams, with a sound mix of youth and experience providing opportunities for development of young athletes via mentoring that is led by our most senior charges,” Campbell said.

The men’s 4x100m relay team have been invited to compete at the London (GBR) instalment of the IAAF Diamond League in July, while the women’s 4x400m relay teams will next come together at the IAAF World Championships Preparation Camp in Tonbridge (GBR).

Membership to the Gold Coast GOLD Relay Program will be reviewed in September 2017, with domestic preparation opportunities to follow in early 2018 as the Commonwealth Games approach.

M 4x100m Relay: Nick Andrews (NSW), Aaron Bresland (WA), Rohan Browning (NSW), Tom Gamble (Qld), Jack Hale (Tas), Alex Hartmann (Qld), Trae Williams (Qld), Josh Clarke (NSW)*

M 4x400m Relay: Alex Beck (Qld), Jackson Collett (NSW), Christian Davis (Vic), Daniel Mowen (Qld), Steven Solomon (NSW), Luke Stevens (Vic)

W 4x100m Relay: Brianna Beahan (WA), Melissa Breen (ACT), Maddison Coates (Vic), Riley Day (Qld), Mia Gross (Vic), Sally Pearson (Qld), Ash Whittaker (Vic)

W 4x400m Relay: Ella Connolly (Qld), Caitlin Jones (QLd), Morgan Mitchell (Vic), Ella Nelson (NSW), Bendere Oboya (NSW), Anneliese Rubie (NSW), Olivia Tauro (NSW), Jessica Thornton (NSW), Lauren Wells (ACT)

*program involvement commences in September 2017