Commonwealth Youth Games 2023: Australia’s cyclists, beach volleyball and triathletes to watch
They’re not big on numbers but Australia’s cyclists, beach volleyballers and triathletes have golden ambitions. Meet the 16 teens set to shine at the Commonwealth Youth Games.
They might be the three smallest teams of athletes heading over to Trinidad and Tobago but they have some of the biggest golden ambitions.
Cycling, beach volleyball and triathlon are all on the schedule for the Commonwealth Youth Games starting next month.
These sports will field 16 athletes who will wear the green and gold on the big stage at Trinbago 2023.
And they have plenty of talent and plenty of potential to do Australia proud.
After checking out our track and field and Rugby Sevens stars in expert guides, we are now throwing the spotlight on their Australian teammates.
Lauren Bates (ACT): A Canberra CC member who started competing at the young age of seven. A long time ACT representative at nationals, Bates broke the national record in the Junior 17 Women 2000m Individual Pursuit. A recent highlight for her was racing at the 2023 Oceania Track and Road Cycling Championships in Brisbane where she represented Australia in the Oceania U19 Women’s Team Pursuit Team, where they went on to claim gold and break the national record.
Noah Blannin (Qld): The Gold Coast athlete has lived and raced in Europe over the last few years, spending time in Italy and Belgium. Noah is currently the Oceania Individual Pursuit champion. Noah focuses on working hard and bringing that ethic to the team environment.
Nate Hadden (Vic): The young man from Bendigo has been a regular in Victorian state teams throughout his teenage years, including winning the state omnium and time trial. Has raced previously in Blegium with great success, and is currently living in Italy where he is a regular top-10 finisher in all his events.
Will Heath (Qld): The 16-year-old Balmoral cyclist has blossomed in the last 12 months to be one of the leading first-year U19 road cyclists in Australia. As the reigning U19 Oceania Continental Road Champion, Heath feels most at home in the long, climbing tour stages. He loves working as part of a team, and being up the road in a break.
Samuel McKee (Tas): Previously a national level Runner, Launceston City CC member McKee is now one of Australia’s leading junior track endurance cyclists. Hailing from Launceston, he is a dynamic and punchy style of rider, who excels in bunch style racing and is not afraid of tough conditions.
Liliya Tatarinoff (NSW): Central Coast CC member Tatarinoff has been a star with 31 state titles, 11 national titles and recently became a dual Oceania champion. She holds two Australian records in the J17W; 500m Time Trial and the Team Sprint. She loves sport and has consistently done little athletics and soccer before primarily focusing on cycling this year.
Keira Will (NSW): The Lidcombe Auburn CC member turns 18 at the end of the month and will also represent Asutralia at the World Junior Track Championships in Colombia next month. Part of the NSWIS for cycling and is currently in Europe where she has been competing. Three titles at the Oceania Track Championships and two at the nationals have her primed to feature.
Tayte Ryan (SA): The Port Adelaide cyclist is a four-time national champion this year with wins in the sprint, kieran, time trial and team sprint. He holds the Australian Championships flying 200 metre record. Ryan plays a variety of musical instruments, an all-round nice guy and a killer on the bike.
BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Four different states will be represented between the beach volleyball team, with new combinations in effect.
There’s a clear pathway to the Olympics four the quartet with Australia enjoying a great deal of success at that elite level.
All four have experience in international events which will prove key throughout the event, with medals firmly on their radars.
Mitchell Croft (VIC): At the moment is part of the AVA in Canberra where he is looking to further his credentials. Has played at the youth nationals since 2020 where he came away with a gold in 2021. Has competed at both the U19s and U21s Asian Beach Volleyball Championships despite being just 18.
Jett Rocker-Graham (NSW): Has enjoyed a lot of success at the nationals and is currently in America where he has been competing in some AVP tournaments. Forms an exciting partnership with Croft after the two have played against each other. The Year 11 student has shown plenty of promise throughout his career.
Jasmine Rayner (QLD): A junior national champion last year, the Bayside athlete also got her shot to compete at the Asian Championships. Has done well on the national tour and training experience with senior Volleyroos has proved crucial. She looks ready to take the next step at this event.
Cameron Zajer (SA): The Year 12 South Australian has enjoyed a decorated career at the junior nationals, including victories this year and 2021, as well as coming second last year. Has competed internationals for indoor volleyball and is a versatile player who should link well with Rayner.
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TRIATHLON
Australia has a strong triathlon in the sport which made its debut on the steps of the Sydney Opera House back at the 2000 Olympic Games.
The sports greatest moment was when Emma Snowsill won gold and Emma Moffatt bronze at the Beijing Olympics.
Snowsill has established herself as a star of the future when she competed at the Youth Olympics as a teenager.
And like Aspen Anderson, who is competing at the Commonwealth Youth Games, she also came from a strong running and cross country background.
Aspen Anderson (QLD): Is a multi-talented athlete from the Gold Coast Run Co club.
A talented cross country runner who competed at the world championships in Bathurst recently she also claimed victories at the Australian school sport triathlon and Queensland triathlon championships. Last year she was a national cross country champion.
Oscar Wootton(VIC): From the Ballarat Triathlon club and a student at Ballarat Grammar. He has strong results this season, including wins in the Australian Grand Prix series and the Luke Harrop Memorial Gold Coast triathlon.
Jack Latham (TAS): A member of the Oceania Team recently crowned the Olympic Esport World Duathlon Champions. The teen hails from Ulverstone and said competing at the event is a “dream come true”. He has been competing in triathlon since he was 13.
Hannah Pollock (QLD): Will compete in the individual and mixed teams relay with her triathlon teammates with the sport making its Commonwealth Youth Games debut in Trinidad. From the Triple F Triathlon club she finished third in the Australian Grand Prix Triathlon Series.
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