 |
|
 |
||
BIOGRAPHY |
A talented swimmer, basketballer and hockey player, Georgia Hansen has made steady progress over the last 18 years in athletics. Along the way she has representing Australia as a junior, then at the 2019 World University Games and will have the unique opportunity to wear the green and gold on home soil at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in February. Away from running, Georgia works as an Analyst at Deloitte.
+ + + + +
Georgia Hansen started her journey in running at her local Little Athletics Centre, aged 7. Her mum was the Centre treasurer and Georgia had many friends at the club – which would bring her back each Saturday. She found a passion for the sport competing in jumps and sprints, but excelled with her natural talent in the distance events. Competed in track relays, cross country and individual events bought out her competitiveness and determination and she realised that she wanted to take it further.
Georgia was a state level basketballer, swimmer and hockey player, but her career and sport direction would be influenced by an Olympic athlete in primary school.
“I moved schools in year 5 and was lucky enough to have Charlene Rendina as my coach. Not only was she inspirational in her own right, she was also the most warm-hearted and caring individual, which I think made me gravitate towards her. Charlene coached me all through the rest of my schooling years, and is still a great mentor of mine today.”
Her progress through school was much like any enthusiastic, sport-loving student. “I competed each weekend in APS, at State Championships, and then found myself on a few National teams. My first Nationals (aged 13) was in 2012 in Adelaide (XC), which I came 13th.”
Around the age of 17, she was running times of 2:07 (800m) and 4:29 (1500m). In 2016 she was selected in the Australian team for the World Junior/U20 Championships, clocking an impressive 4:24 1500m in the leadup. At the championships she ran in the 800m heats. She learnt a lot from her international debut.
“It was a very eye-opening experience for me, and learnt that international competition was no ordinary state championships. Although I didn’t perform as well as I had anticipated, I came away even more determined to make another team.”
She didn’t complete in her last year as a junior athlete.
“I took a bit of a break in 2017, to focus on my own mental and physical health, and returned to racing in 2018. I competed in the Commonwealth Games trials on the Gold Coast, achieving two PB’s (10 second PB in the 1500m heat, and another 1 second off that in the 1500m final). Mixing in with the older girls was such an amazing experience, and I knew one day that I would like to be up there with them competing for spots on senior international teams.”
The following year, 2019, Georgia was fifth at Nationals, ran a PB 4:11 during summer and was selected in the Australian team for the World University Games where she placed 10th. During the COVID effected years of 2020 and 2021, Georgia started to progress well over 3000m, 8:59, then 8:57.
Maybe with an eye on the world cross country, in 2022 Georgia really started to improve over longer distances. She ran a lifetime best of 15:52 for 5000m, a large 3000m PB of 8:49, was third in the National 12km/Road Championships in Adelaide, and capped it off with a win in the Australian Cross Country Championship.
In January she lined up in in a high quality Australian team trial for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships. Running in the open women’s 10km, she placed seventh, missing selection by one place – named as a reserve. But five days before the championships, she was named as the replacement for the injured Holly Campbell.
Occupation: Private Tax & Advisory Analyst, Deloitte…Education: Carey Baptist Grammar School and International Baccaleaureate; Commerce (majors in Accounting and Finance) (2017-20) at Melbourne Uni; Interior Design Certificate IV (2020-21), Australian College of the Arts…Most memorable sporting achievement: To date, winning my first national title at the Australian Cross Country Championships in 2022 is a definite highlight. I am relatively new to stepping up in distances, so for me, this was a big achievement and has given me the confidence I needed…Interesting Facts: currently #2 all-time fastest female to run around the Tan (Melbourne); her older sister Jessica Hansen competed in the Breaststroke at the 2020 Olympics, her parents are originally from South Africa and moved to Melbourne just before Georgia was born…Most influential person in your career: My coach Stephen Ellinghaus – he knows me almost better than anyone else. I wouldn’t be whether I am if it wasn’t for his support and encouragement, and I am so grateful to have him in my corner…Advice to your young self: Don’t compare yourself to others, remember you are on your own journey, and go after what ignites your purpose…Hobbies: Interior design, gardening, my dogs…Other Sports played at a high level: Swimming – State level, Hockey – State level and Basketball – State level.
@14 Feb 2023 david.tarbotton@athletics.org.au