Mount Gambier athlete Leila Croker has come a long way from competing at a local level in the Mount Gambier Little Athletics series as she sets her sights on qualifying at the national level for the 2024 World Junior Championships in Lima, Peru.
“That is my main goal and also to get gold again in my age group at the national carnival,” 16-year-old Croker said.
Croker’s athletics journey started when she was just five-years-old at the Mount Gambier and District Little Athletics on a Friday night.
“Honestly, I really grew into liking (athletics) and started doing more of the school-based programs including SAPSASA and from there I got my first coach,” she said.
“I got an offer for our first coach from Adelaide and we worked via correspondence and then I decided to move towards heptathlon a few years ago and switched to a specialised coach.
“That’s who I am with now and am happy with how things are going. We are really focused on the task at hand.”
After dominating athletics from an early age, Croker made the bold call to take on the mighty challenge of Heptathlons two and a half years ago which has well and truly paid off.
The young athlete has enjoyed success in recent times with silver in the Under 15 category in 2020, backed up earlier this year with gold at the 2022 Australian Combined Event Championships at Sydney Olympic Park.
In a huge eight-day event which attracted the more than 3500 of the best track and field athletes in the country, Croker not only managed to compete, but conquer.
Adding to the success, Croker continued her gold-rush at the Athletics SA State Track and Field Championships, winning the Under 17 long jump, javelin and 100 metre hurdles events.
Croker is determined to improve her endurance after relocating to Adelaide for schooling and having the opportunity to commit to training in person with her coach.
“I have been training with my coach now in person, which has been very beneficial as well,” Croker said.
“I still do my gym program that has been given to me by the Limestone Coast Regional Sporting Academy through Tony Elleston and Tony Checker.
I still go on with that which I am very thankful for them to still support me, but it has been really good and I am working for the season coming up and the gift running.
“I would not be here without the support from my coach (Gabby) for pushing me to my limits and my biggest supporter.
“He helps me through everything.”
Croker’s parents Jo and Jamie have been rock-solid in their support for their daughter’s ambitions.
“They gave me a fantastic opportunity to come up here for my schooling which has really helped me this year.
“I have already improved so much, so I am very thankful for that,” Croker said.
