The Gold Coast has long been a powerhouse of Australian sporting excellence — a place where talent is nurtured, character is shaped, and future champions are born. In 2026, Sports Gold Coast proudly introduces the newest cohort of the Grow for Gold program: twelve extraordinary athletes selected for their potential to become Australia’s next Olympic and Paralympic success stories.

Handpicked from across the region, these athletes represent the strength, spirit, and ambition of the Gold Coast community. Backed by seven years of support, mentoring, and opportunity, they are preparing for the global stage — including the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Meet the inspiring athletes shaping the future of our city and our nation.

THE 2026 GROW FOR GOLD ATHLETES

Ashley Bryden — Para Triathlon (PTVI 3)

Ashley embodies courage, resilience, and the true spirit of para sport. As a vision-impaired PTVI triathlete, she has risen rapidly within the AusTriathlon Paralympic Pathway through sheer determination and an unwavering commitment to growth.
Her partnership with her guide, her openness to learning, and her ability to turn challenges into progress have made her a standout in Australia’s para triathlon community. Ashley’s dream is to wear the green and gold on the world stage — and every step of her journey reflects the heart of a future Paralympian.

Maguire Reid — Canoe Sprint / Kayak

Training out of Paddle Australia’s National Centre of Excellence at Pizzey Park, Maguire is already one of Australia’s most exciting young paddlers. A Podium Potential athlete with the AIS, he has represented the nation at Junior and U23 levels and made his senior team debut at the 2025 World Cups in Hungary and Poland.
Balancing elite training with university study, Maguire is known for his humility, professionalism, and relentless focus — a combination that places him firmly on track for LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032.

Amelie Sanders — Cycling (Track & Road)

A five-time Oceania Champion and four-time National Champion, Amelie is already Australia’s top U19 track cyclist. Her comeback from major health challenges has become a blueprint for resilience, culminating in a Bronze Medal at the Junior Women’s Omnium at the 2025 UCI Junior Track World Championships.
With power, precision, and a deep love for cycling, Amelie is one of the nation’s strongest prospects for 2032 glory.

Xavier Gilbee — BMX Freestyle

Xavier has risen from recreational rider to elite competitor in record time, training alongside Olympic gold medallist Logan Martin. His talent in BMX Freestyle — a sport that blends creativity, courage, and technical mastery — has already taken him to international competitions and elite finals.
Determined to represent Australia at the 2028 Olympics, Xavier continues to push boundaries with fearless progression and unmatched discipline.

Aspen Anderson — Triathlon

Aspen is one of the brightest young stars in Australian triathlon. Still a junior, she is already producing data and performances aligned with past Olympic medallists — particularly in the run leg.
Developed through AusTriathlon’s Ascent Academy, Aspen exemplifies tactical intelligence, technical precision, and mental composure. Her dream: to represent Australia in triathlon at Brisbane 2032, racing on the very roads she grew up on.

Luca Free — Rowing

Born into a family of rowing royalty, Luca is forging his own extraordinary path. A 2024 World Championships bronze medallist, his achievement is even more remarkable given he unknowingly competed with a fractured vertebra.
After surgery and rehabilitation in 2025, Luca has set his sights on a powerful return. Standing 6’6″ and built for elite rowing, he aims to carry the Free family legacy into the 2032 Olympic Games.

Natalia Drobot — Canoe Sprint / Kayak

A Podium Potential athlete with the AIS, Natalia has achieved what few paddlers her age ever do: representing Australia at Junior, U23, and Senior World Championships — medalling at every level.
Her journey is defined by independence and grit. Balancing work, study, and training, she has built a reputation as one of Australia’s most driven young paddlers. Training among Olympic champions at Pizzey Park, Natalia is firmly on the road to Brisbane 2032.

Sarah Nicki — BMX Freestyle

A multi-time World Championships finalist and Oceania Champion, Sarah is Australia’s youngest female BMX Freestyle national team member.
Her impact extends beyond results — she is a leader, a role model, and a champion for girls in action sports. Balancing elite training with multiple jobs to fund her career, Sarah’s determination is unmatched.
Her goals: a top-eight world ranking and future Olympic representation.

Thewbelle Philp — Athletics (Sprints & Relays)

Clocking an incredible 11.38 seconds in the 100m at just 17 years old, Thewbelle is now the third-fastest Under 18 female sprinter in Australian history.
Her blend of raw pace, discipline, and competitive intelligence has earned her recognition as one of the country’s most promising sprinters. With high-performance relay involvement and senior team targets ahead, she is a genuine 2032 contender.

Maddison (Madeleine) Kelton — Wheelchair Basketball

Maddison is a rising force in Australian wheelchair basketball. Competing for the Gold Coast Rollers in the WNWBL and representing Queensland at national championships, she has quickly risen into Basketball Australia’s Developing category.
Her invitation to the U25 Devils and Gliders open-age squad, paired with a QAS agreement through to 2029, underscores her Paralympic potential.

Isla Huppatz — Surfing

One of Surfing Australia’s standout young athletes, Isla blends technical precision with fearless execution. Her ability to read waves, adapt under pressure, and compete consistently has made her a rising star in the national surfing pathway.
Her long-term goals include joining the World Surf League and representing Australia at future Olympic Games — ambitions well within reach for this grounded, hardworking athlete.

Seth Kennedy — Athletics (200m & 400m)

A nine-time junior national champion and current U20 400m Australian Champion, Seth is one of Australia’s most electrifying young sprinters.
His stunning 2025 comeback — running 46.62 after a 15-week injury break — was one of the fastest school races ever recorded in Australia. His leadership as Track & Field Captain and his professionalism make him both a role model and a future international star.
Seth’s goals include the 2026 World Juniors, LA 2028, and Brisbane 2032.

A Legacy in Motion

These twelve athletes represent more than individual dreams — they represent the future of the Gold Coast.

Through the Grow for Gold program, they are supported not just as athletes but as leaders, role models, and ambassadors of the community. Their journeys are powerful reminders that greatness begins with opportunity, belief, and a city united behind its young stars.

The road to Brisbane 2032 starts here — and with these athletes leading the way, the future has never looked brighter.