Sunshine Coast athlete Dominique Stitt makes Nutri Grain Iron Series

After making her elite level dream a reality a Sunshine Coast rising athlete has revealed her next big plans when she takes on leading series Ironwoman on the Gold Coast this weekend.

Sunshine Coast ironwoman Dominique Stitt. Picture: Patrick Woods.

A Sunshine Coast athlete has broken onto the elite stage and now wants to continue her rising form in the final rounds of 2023/24 Nutri Grain Iron Series.

Dominique Stitt received the call-up to compete against the world’s top ironwoman for round three and four of the Nutri Grain Iron Series at Maroubra on January 13.

The 21-year-old started her surf lifesaving journey when she was seven at Kawana Waters SLSC but has since competed for Maroochydore SLSC and now bases herself with Mooloolaba SLSC.

“I found out unofficially first and had to keep it under wraps but once it was confirmed I was amazed and in shock,” Stitt said.

Sunshine Coast athlete Dominique Stitt in action. Picture: Trent Callahan Photography.

“I made it my main goal at the start of the season so to achieve it just makes me want to work harder and set even bigger goals for myself.”

The former Chancellor College student works as a casual lifeguard and is also studying a bachelor of paramedicine at UniSC.

After recording seven points through her debut races she said she now wanted to prove herself as a serious competitor in round four and five on February 3 and 4 at Kurrawa on the Gold Coast.

Sunshine Coast athlete Dominique Stitt. Picture: Trent Callahan Photography.

“I’ve watched the Iron Series for so many years now and have always wanted to be apart of it so now that I am it’s cool and I love getting to push myself against the best of the best,” she said

“I didn’t know what to expect but now that I’ve had a crack it’d be cool to knuckle down and get a top 10 finish in the next two rounds.

Stitt joins four other Sunshine Coast Ironwomen in Electra Outram (Sunshine Beach), Tiarnee Massie (Maroochydore), Emma Woods and Tayla Halliday (Alexandra Headland).

Stitt’s coach and former ironman Rhys Drury said he was inrecvlify proud of her recent achievements.

“I met Dom when I was at Maroochydore SLSC and have been coaching her for about five years now,” he said.

Former ironman Rhys Drury and Sunshine Coast ironwoman Dominique Stitt. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“It’s a great reward for her, not only to make the step to leave Maroochydore and come to Mooloolaba but also to put her trust in Maddy Dunn and I to try and get the best out of her.

“To get the opportunity to do four of the rounds is massive for her and because the experience and confidence she will take away from it all is huge.

“Everyone is really stoked for her because she’s such a great kid, she’s got a lot on her plate at the moment but balances it all so well.

“It’s been great to see her develop into a mature, smart, young, bright, humble character that’s a quite but tough athlete.”