The 2025 NSW All Schools Championships were held at SOPAC from Saturday 27th to Tuesday 30th September, with Nowra Athletics Club junior athletes achieving outstanding results. Two members secured top-three finishes, earning their place at the next Australian Athletics Championships.
Oliver Baxter impressed with a brilliant 5-second personal best of 4:00.74 in the 19 years 1500m, claiming the bronze medal. He backed this up with another bronze and another PB in the 5000m, clocking 15:09.65. Congratulations to Oliver on reaping the rewards of his hard work and dedication.
Kadance Naylor also shone, earning bronze in the 16 years javelin with a throw of 38.40m. Kadance has been training diligently towards her national goal, and this performance is a fitting reward. She also placed 9th in the discus with a throw of 27.95m.
There were personal bests galore for Isla Bailie across her program of events. In the 13 years 100m, Isla clocked a PB of 12.81 in her heat to qualify for the final, where she went quicker again with 12.78 to place 8th. In the 200m, she ran 26.36 to reach the final, finishing 9th in 27.20. Isla also jumped to a new PB of 4.78m in the long jump, securing 8th place.
Flynn Kelly had an equally busy program. In the 13 years 100m, he narrowly missed the final, running 12.09 for 11th place. In the 200m, Flynn qualified for the final with 24.83, before placing 9th in 25.53. He also produced a strong effort in the long jump, landing 5.80m for 4th place.
In the 13 years 1500m, Macca Davis ran a PB of 4:45.90 for 19th place and backed it up with 4th place in the 3000m walk in 19:25.15. Kai Thirwall also set a PB in the 12 years 1500m, running 5:03.58 for 10th, and was 11th in the 800m with 2:34.06. Meanwhile, Hugh Thirwall ran a season’s best of 4:31.92 in the 14 years 1500m for 12th, and clocked 2:14.22 in the 800m for 16th.
Lana Crawford impressed in the 14 years 1500m, running a PB of 4:57.62 for 10th place. She followed this with another PB in the 800m heats, 2:19.30, to qualify for the final where she placed 7th in 2:23.20.
In the 17 years 1500m, Nic McGill recorded a 3-second season’s best of 4:13.16 to finish 7th.
Madeline Oke ran strongly in the 14 years 3000m, placing 10th in 11:25.83. Overcoming illness and setbacks, Emily McLaren showed resilience in the 17 years 400m, clocking 1:11.44 for 12th place, and also placed 12th in the javelin with a throw of 24.32m.
Overall, it was a fantastic campaign for Nowra Athletics Club. From podium finishes and national qualifications to countless PBs and season-best performances, every athlete showed determination, resilience and pride in representing the club on the state stage. Congratulations to all competitors — your hard work and commitment continue to inspire!
Thanks to Greg Griffis for all photos.