When any young track and field athlete becomes serious about their sport, nine times out of 10 their ultimate goal becomes the Olympic Games.
Now for two members of the Noosa Athletics Zane Branco and Kristie Edwards this is exactly their goal.
Their introduction into the world of athletics came about for Kristie as a U9 and for Zane U11. One could say that from that time on, track and field was to become their way of life.
For Zane and Kristie now aged 22, to wear the green and gold at the 2024 Olympics there would be nothing better. Now, with both having returned from a self-financed tour of Europe, where they both experienced success on the field of international competition, their determination could not be stronger.
With Zane it all started at the Sunshine Beach State School when in U11 age group he chose athletics as his sport and following this his next step was to join the Noosa Little Athletics Club.
“On joining I tried a bit of everything : including javelin, long jump and sprints. But now, my main feature is the long jump, however, I am still competing in the sprints.”
Once started he began to understand the importance of good solid training but above all the it became obvious that the major factor was without a doubt – coaching. Regarding this he immediately came under the clubs Head Coach Mick Hooper and this was to be the perfect team.
“As a young bloke you wouldn’t pick him as a future champion,” said coach Hooper.
“But I noticed he never missed a training session: and at age 15 which was year 10 at school, he began to come into his own. Then at 16 he won the Australian Schoolboy Championship, for the long jump. With a jump of 7.27 m, he broke the national record and from then he really started to excel”
Then in 2018 he made the Australian Junior team for the World Titles in Finland. He made the final in the U20 200m sprint and in a blanket finish he came fifth.
“I was a bit disappointed when I found out I was just .07 of a second from the bronze medal.”
However, for the Australians it was an eye opener. The European coaches couldn’t believe that the team was self-funded.
“But you are representing your country,” was their bewildered statement.
Following this in 2022 Zane travelled to England mainly for the experience.
On entering the English Championships, Zane won the silver medal compete in the long jump, then across to Northern Ireland where he won the gold in the same event. To further his experience Zane has competed in such places as Dublin, Norway and Cork.
“Apart from the experience gained in these countries, they all have prize money, and when you are travelling self-funded this was of course a big benefit.”
Regarding standards and reception, Zane remarked, “Australia is very competitive on the world stage, and we found that our reception as Australian was very friendly throughout Europe. Big crowds gather for the events and this creates a great atmosphere. Totally different to competing at home.”
Kristie Edwards’ background has been somewhat similar to that of Zane’s’. Educated at Newport Public School, then Pymble Ladies College, situated in Pymble on the Upper North Shore of Sydney, Kristie’s interest started in athletics at age eight, and continued running in the school system.
Apart from this Kristie also competed in the Newport Nippers starting as a UE/6 beach competitor. In 2015 she won double gold in the beach sprint and flags. Following this in 2016 and 2017 competing in the sprints, she won silver in both.
On leaving school, she studied at the University of Technology Sydney. This was followed by a move to Brisbane, then a year later the Gold Coast. It was at this time she met up with Zane Branco and coach Mick Hooper.
Coach Hooper encouraged her to run for Noosa who by then had Zane Branco, plus another outstanding athlete, Samantha Johnson running in the Noosa colours.
In track and field, her success was such that in 2018 she was selected to represent Australia in Finland running, in the 4×100 uU20 relay, World Junior Championships. Also in the relay team was Samantha Johnson thus giving the Noosa Athletic club two members running for their country. Apart from being a member of the relay Samantha also represented her country in the 100m hurdles.
Despite not winning a medal in the final, their time for the event broke the Australian record. As this was a world final and despite and being run overseas, the time was officially recognised back home, thus making them holders of the 4x100m relay championship of Australia.
‘’I had always dreamed of running for Australia,” said Kristie, “and it was really great to run in the team. We finished seventh in the final but our time was such that we broke the Australian record. We were all very proud of what we achieved. And to make it even better, two of our four were from Noosa Athletics.”
In 2022 to further her experience she also contested, along with Zane the U23 English Championships, winning the bronze medal in the 100m final. Following this it was over to Northern Ireland to contest the 200m in which Kristie won the gold.
“Both Zane and I got a real kick out of our success, we competed as individuals running in our Noosa colours, and took great pride in doing so,” she said.
For both these athletes there were other major carnivals on the European circuit: the experience gained was of the utmost importance.
However, it all comes at a cost and overall expenses for this type of competition could see the athletes up for anything from $5000 to $8000.
“In Europe the organisers will sometimes go out of their way to organise over-night accommodation: this plus prize money was of course a big help. Otherwise, it will depend on parent and community support, plus self-funding,” said Hooper.
With regard to promoting track and field both Zane and Kristie agreed.
“We must find a way to upgrade our TV exposure, for example our national titles and other track classics (our professional events). This sort of thing would of course attract visiting internationals. But there is sadly virtually no TV coverage.”
Away from the sport Zane works in sales and business development and Kristie continues her studies and Samantha Johnson (former member of the Australian relay team) works out of Gympie as a physiotherapist.
When one takes a closer look at the expenses incurred by our three athletes, so as to enhance their chances of Olympic selection, it is no wonder that the Europeans are totally stunned.
For Kristie, Zane and Samantha, World Championships Finland 2018, $5500 each. For Kristie and Zane contesting both the English and Northern Ireland National Championships 2022, $4500 each. The finance for these trips is parent and self-funded.
The experience, knowledge and self- confidence gained on the European circuit, is a massive step toward Olympic selection. How many of our champion athletes, who, deprived of TV exposure and therefore possible sponsorship deals, will gain their Olympic experience sitting on the family lounge watching their events on TV – countless.
These days we can sit and watch sponsorship and big money deals being poured into that now known creator of concussion: football. Hopefully some sponsors and TV people, will start to take a closer look at lesser-known sports (but more internationally recognised) that doesn’t endanger the health of our players and future of their family harmony.
With the Olympics as their goal, we wish these dedicated athletes Zane Branco, Kristie Edwards and coach Mick Hooper all the very best.
