Sydney Swans AFLW academy player Telaya Blacksmith is bound for the track at the Paralympics

16 year-old Sydney Swans’ AFLW academy hopeful Telaya Blacksmith is putting footy on hold momentarily to chase Paralympic glory, writes BRAYDEN MAY.

Dual-sport star Telaya Blacksmith is heading to Paris. Picture: Julian Andrews

When it comes to kicking goals on the run, you would find it hard to match it with Telaya Blacksmith.

And no goals come bigger than the one the teenager is chasing in Paris.

The dual-sport athlete will make her Australian Paralympic debut as a member of the athletics team.

At 16, the NSW rising star will compete in the 400m and long jump T20 events.

Such is the prowess of her sporting ability, Telaya is taking a break from her time as a member of the Sydney Swans’ AFLW academy to chase her Paralympic dream.

At this stage the young star has no plans on choosing one sporting love over another.

“I’m planning on doing both, actually,” she said.

“If I’m still doing long jump or if I’m retired, I can probably focus on AFL as well.’’

Telaya’s growing sporting resume is already one which most athletes would desire at the end of their careers.

She currently holds the Australian under 15, under 17 and under 20 T20 records in the 100m, 200m and long jump.

Telaya Blacksmith wins the 200m heat at the NSW Youth Athletics’ Championships. Picture: Julian Andrews

In her Paralympic event, the 400m, she holds the under 17, under 20 and open T20 records.

Her favourite event, the 100m, is not offered in the T20 classification at the Paralympics.

“It’s like a love-hate relationship,’’ she said of her relationship with the 400m.

“To be honest, I’ve always just loved running. In AFL, running was just such a big sport and I started it during primary school, actually, and I just got into so many different events and I was very fast back then at that age.

“It feels like you’re free. That once you’re on the track you’re able to go as hard as you want, and be free and run as hard.’’

This won’t be the first time Blacksmith has competed on the international stage as she won the 100m on debut for Australia at the Virtus OA Games.

She then competed at the 2023 Virtus Global Games (the pinnacle elite international sports event for athletes with an intellectual impairment) in France.

“It was quite full on for my first games, but I managed to get through it,” she said.

“Now I’m growing into that I have to stay with the team, and it’s a lot. But I love the experience.

“Usually it’s just by myself when I’m competing in Australia, so it’s so good to be competing with everyone else who’s the same speed as you.

“It gives you a big push.’’

Blacksmith will be the first Paralympian of Warlpiri descent. And she will join Amanda Reid (cyclist), Ruby Storm (swimmer) and Samantha Schmidt (discus) as the other First Nations athletes on the team.

Australia has not had four Indigenous athletes since Barcelona 1992.

Blacksmith with AFL icon Lance "Buddy" Franklin. Picture: Telaya Blacksmith.

“It means so much for me and my family, and I’m proud that I’m having the opportunity to do stuff and run and I’m hoping that it encourages more Indigenous kids out there to be doing sport,” Blacksmith said.

With her own journey starting, Blacksmith will follow in the footsteps of her inspirations, Cathy Freeman and Nova Peris.

“When I heard about her achievements I was like ‘wow, that’s actually pretty amazing’,” she recalled.

“Especially Nova Peris that was pretty incredible, as well.

“We have had contact with (Peris) – she sometimes just reshares some stuff (on social media).’’

When the Year 11 student at Endeavour Sports High student finishes her studies, she plans on moving to the Northern Territory to be a police officer.

Around school and training she also now works part-time at Woolworths and is always happy to share her story with customers.

“Some of them would have thought I was watching it, but I told them I was actually in it, like, I’m actually in it, and they would gasp, in shock,” she said.

Blacksmith’s family including her three siblings and uncle will make the journey to watch the teenager compete against the world’s best.

Blacksmith will be cheered on in Paris by family back in Australia. Picture: Julian Andrews

Family will also be watching on from the NT with her mum joking she was a “celebrity”.

“It’s a bit scary,” she said.

Blacksmith’s heats will start in the early hours of September 3.

Blacksmith’s journey to Paris was helped by a fundraiser with the Australian Sports Foundation.

The Australian Sports Foundation is the only Australian organisation where tax deductible sports foundations can be made. The ASF has distributed around $800 million over 38 years to athletes, sports, schools and grassroots organisations.

Originally published as Sydney Swans AFLW academy player Telaya Blacksmith is bound for the track at the Paralympics