The 2026 NSW All Schools event took place from Saturday 26th September to Tuesday 29th September at the Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre (SOPAC). The Championships cater for secondary school athletes aged 12 to 19 years, with Nowra Athletics Club represented by ten athletes.
Kadance Naylor, who turned 17 on the 1st October, decided to take a chance and compete up an age group in the 19 years javelin at these championships. Kadance opened with 31.78m and was sitting in 1st place right up until the last round, when she got bumped down to 2nd. With just one throw left, Kadance pulled out her best throw of the competition, a PB of 35.44m, to take back 1st place; earning the gold medal and becoming the NSW All Schools State Champion! In shot put, Kadance managed an impressive 4 PBs, finishing 4th with 10.29m.
Flynn Kelly had a busy program. In the 14 years 100m, he clocked 11.72 to qualify for his first 100m final; however, he had to withdraw due to an ankle injury. In the 200m, Flynn ran an impressive 23.62 for a new PB. In the final, he clocked 23.70 for 7th place. In long jump, Flynn recorded 3 PB jumps, with his second jump of 6.05m securing the silver medal and an automatic place at the Australian All Schools Championships.
Isla Bailie had a very impressive competition. In the 14 years 100m, Isla finished 3rd in her heat in 12.48, a National Junior Qualifying time. In the final, Isla improved this time to 12.44 for 4th place, moving up from 8th place last year. In the 200m, Isla ran 25.15 in the heat, clocking another National Junior Qualifying time. In the final, she once again improved on this, running 25.13 to claim the silver medal, a new PB and automatic qualification for Australian All Schools.
Photo by David Tarbotton
Lana Crawford contested the 400m for the first time at this level, finishing 2nd in the 15 years heat in a PB of 1.00.69. Lana then bettered this time to 1.00.52 in the final, where she placed 5th. In the 800m, Lana clocked a Junior National Qualifying time of 2.18.00 for 4th place. In the final, Lana finished 7th in 2.18.27.
Asher Everitt contested his first state event, where he ran a gutsy 1500m, finishing 2nd in his heat in 4.28.99, which placed him 15th overall in the 15 years event.
Emily McLaren contested her final All Schools competition, claiming two bronze medals to wrap up her impressive performances throughout her high school years. Emily finished 3rd in the 19 years 400m hurdles in 1.11.21 and then backed up less than 2 hours later in the 3000m steeplechase, where she clocked 13.11.64.
Photo by Greg Griffis
Madeline Oke ran the 15 years 3000m in tough conditions, finishing 9th in 11.11.93.
Evie Binney participated in the 16 years 400m, finishing 2nd in her heat in 1.00.96. In the final, Evie clocked a sub-minute PB of 59.68 for 5th place.
Lily Sproule contested the 17 years 800m, where she clocked 2.17.20 in the heat. In the final, Lily placed 5th in 2.19.82.
Photo by Fred Etter
Amarlie Ward ran a massive 5 second PB in the 13 years 800m, finishing 10th in 2.23.80.
Congratulations to all these athletes on outstanding performances!