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Interview with Leah O'Brien: Australia's Next Sprint Sensation

5/11/2025

Author: Mali Seward

At just 17-years-old, Leah O'Brien is emerging as one of the best young sprinters in Australian athletics. In April, she stunned the nation by breaking a 57-year-old national record in the 100m with a time of 11.14 seconds.

I was fortunate enough to chat with Leah last week, she shared her journey, from being an eight-year-old trying Little Athletics for the first time to becoming a national record-breaker less than a decade later.

What got you into athletics, and was there someone who introduced or encouraged you to pursue sprinting?
“I got into athletics when I was eight years old after some family friends saw me run at a school carnival and suggested to my parents that I give Little Athletics a try. That simple suggestion ended up changing everything. I joined (the) UWA Little Athletics Club and instantly fell in love with the sport. While I enjoyed trying all the events, sprinting quickly became my favourite. I also loved the social side of cheering on my friends and playing between events,” O’Brien told Youth Jam’s Mali Seward.

Did you grow up in a sporty family, and who had the biggest influence early on?
“My family is definitely athletic. My dad played soccer, and my mum did dance, so sport has always been a part of our lives, even though neither of them were professional athletes. They’ve always been incredibly supportive, encouraging me to follow my passion and stick with it, no matter the challenges. Their support and belief in me made a big difference, and I wouldn’t be here today without them,” she said.

What was your first race like, and how has your mindset and preparation changed since then?
“My first races at Little Athletics were all about fun. I loved the social side, hanging out with friends between events, cheering each other on, and just enjoying every moment. Now, my mindset is completely different. I’m still passionate about the sport, but I’ve become much more focused and committed. My preparation is now very structured, from training and recovery to nutrition and mindset. I’m determined to keep improving and do whatever it takes to be the best version of myself on and off the track,” Leah told Youth Jam.

What challenges have you had to overcome so far in your career?
“There’ve been a few. One of the biggest was dealing with shin splints last season, which really impacted my training and performance heading into Nationals. It was frustrating not being at my peak and not being able to run the 200m, but it helped me stay disciplined and work even harder this year so I could come out of Nationals with no regrets,” she added.

When did you know you had what it took to break a national record?
“Honestly, I didn’t. Going into the race, I wasn’t thinking about records. I didn’t even know what the record was. My focus was just on executing my race and trying to win. So when I crossed the line and heard I’d broken a 57-year-old national record, I was completely shocked. It was a moment I’ll never forget. My goal before Nationals was to just make the podium and run an 11.3, so I really exceeded my expectations,” O’Brien wrote.

How does it feel to be breaking records at just 17 years old?
“It still feels surreal. I’ve looked up to athletes who’ve broken records and worn the green and gold for so long, so to be making that kind of history myself is incredibly special. It’s a massive confidence boost, but it also motivates me to keep pushing and striving because I know I’m capable of so much more in my future if I keep putting the work in,” she said.

What would you like to achieve in the future? What’s your ultimate goal?
“My short-term goal is to consistently run 11.1–11.3 times in the 100m and to continue improving my 200m so I can be ranked among the Open athletes. In the long term, I hope to make my first global Australian team, either as part of a relay or in an individual event. To achieve this, I plan to learn from the older Open girls, who have so much knowledge and experience, and hopefully run some races alongside them and attend training camps with them. Ultimately, my biggest goal is to represent Australia in an individual event at the Olympics, but I know I still have a lot of hard work ahead of me to get there,” she told Mali Seward.

Leah O’Brien’s journey is just beginning, but her dedication and love for the sport sets her apart from the rest. From being eight years old at Little Athletics to a national record-breaker less than a decade later, her journey so far is a reminder of what’s possible with determination and persistence. As she sets her sights on international competitions and the Olympic stage, Leah’s career is setting out to be highly successful, and one we will be hearing about for many years to come.

The Western Bears: A New Era for Rugby League in Perth

4/26/2025

Author: Mali Seward

Rugby league is on the verge of a long-awaited return to Perth, with the NRL set to approve the Western Bears for the 2027 season. This new franchise aims to finally cement the NRL’s presence in Western Australia. The bid, which will be backed by NRL WA and the historic North Sydney Bears, represents a fresh approach compared to previous attempts.

Perth’s history with rugby league dates back to the ‘90s, when the Western Reds joined the Australian Rugby League - in 1995 - after being founded in 1992. The Reds drew strong early crowds and even enjoyed some success on the field. However financial troubles and the fallout from the Super League war led them to be axed after the 1997 season. Since then, Perth has hosted occasional NRL fixtures and State of Origin matches, consistently drawing big crowds and proving there is an audience for rugby in WA.

Unlike the Western Reds, the Western Bears plan is built around a long-term sustainability plan and grassroots investment. The collaboration with North Sydney brings both tradition and an already established supporter base to the new club. While the team will be based in Perth, there are plans to play occasional matches at North Sydney Oval to draw further fans to the Bears.

One of the most significant differences this time is more substantial support from the Western Australian Government, who has pledged up to $50 million over a five-year period. This funding will help with development pathways, training facilities, and community programs, whilst also covering operational and licensing costs for entry into the NRL. The team will play many of its games at HBF Park, most known as the Perth Rectangular Stadium, a venue well-suited to rugby league crowds and already familiar to fans of the sport in WA. AAMI Park, Melbourne's rectangular stadium, is a similar comparison, where the Melbourne Storm consistently sell out its 26,000-capacity stadium.

The NRL’s decision to support Perth's inclusion comes as part of a much larger expansion strategy, with a team in Papua New Guinea also expected to join the competition by the 2028 season.

There’s also a clear focus on building junior pathways and increasing participation in the state. With rugby league’s popularity rising among younger players in Perth, the Western Bears are expected to strengthen development from a grassroots age all the way to the elite level, making for a much bigger participation in rugby league in WA.

With the lessons learnt from the past in the back of people’s minds, strong financial backing, and a much more established NRL landscape, the Western Bears are set to do what the Western Reds couldn’t and that is to establish a long-term competitive rugby league team in Perth. If the bid is officially approved in the coming weeks as expected, the countdown to 2027 will begin, with WA fans finally having a team of their own to support on the national stage.

WA teen sprint star breaks 57-year national record

4/12/2025

Author: Mali Seward

17-year-old Leah O’Brien has broken the national under-18 100m record during the WA State Athletics Championships, on Tuesday. The record was originally set by Raelene Boyle at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.

The Perth local broke the record at the WA Athletics Stadium in Floreat, which made the moment even more special as she pulled off the record-breaking time in front of her friends and family. O’Brien stopped the clock at 11.14 seconds in the final, eclipsing Boyle’s long-standing record of 11.20 and even surprising herself with the result.

Take a look at this! □□

Leah O’Brien, who is 17-years-old, crossed the line in 11.14 (+1.7), beating Raelene Boyle’s Australian U18 100m record, that has stood since the Mexico City 1968 Olympic Games! □□pic.twitter.com/QTYOd9EUJQ
— Brisbane 2032 (@Brisbane_2032) April 8, 2025

Leah commented after her record-breaking race, saying she “honestly thought [her] race in the heats [11.46] was a really good time, and [she] never expected to go 11.3 in the final.” Her time not only broke a national record but also put her firmly on the radar as one of Australia’s most promising young sprinters.

Leah said she is “so happy because [she has] been working really hard for that. It’s around the time that the Open girls run, which is crazy to be running that still in high school.” Her performance comes as a breakthrough moment in her career and will hopefully lead the way for a potential career as a future national champion.

Leah will return on Friday for the national championships, hoping to once again prove herself and set another record-breaking run.

O’Brien’s record-breaking run is another huge step for athletics in WA and Perth, paving the way for young athletes to continue breaking records and improving quicker than what was thought previously possible. Leah O’Brien has not only made history, but she is also inspiring a new wave of junior athletes aiming to follow in her footsteps.

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