Date: Various (See below for schedule)
Nominations Close: Midday, Friday 26th September, 2025
Location: Zoom, Lakeside Stadium
Cost: Free
Little Athletics Victoria and Athletics Victoria are proud to launch StrideMentor — a powerful new mentorship program designed to keep girls aged 14 and 15 engaged, inspired, and active. Led by elite female athletes, StrideMentor will support 72 young women through four dynamic sessions over the 2025–26 summer season, offering guidance, inspiration, and a strong sense of community. StrideMentor is by application only, and successful candidates will be allocated to a mentorship group with 5-7 other girls and an athlete mentor.
If you’re a girl born in 2011 or 2012, a member of Little Athletics Victoria or Athletics Victoria, and want to be part of StrideMentor, grab a parent or guardian and apply below by midday on Friday, 26 September. If you have any questions about the program, contact us at stridementor@lavic.com.au.
Meet Our Cohort
A two-time Olympian in the steeplechase, Amy started athletics at age 10. A West Virginia University alum, Amy’s breakthrough came in 2021 when she qualified for the Tokyo Olympics with performances taking her to fifth on Australia’s all-time list. She has competed in multiple global championships, including the World Athletics Championships and the Commonwealth Games. Off the track, Amy is equally accomplished, having completed a master’s degree and PhD in coaches’ mental health. Follow Amy at @amycashin__.
Personal Bests
- 3000m Steeplechase: 9:21.46
- 3000m: 8:53.07
- 1500m: 4:15.00
A two time Olympian, Bec has represented Australia the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Games. Beginning at Little Athletics at the age of 5, Bec discovered a knack for racewalking and by 16, she was competing internationally. In 2021 she made her 20km debut with a time of 1:32.12, earning a spot on the Olympic team. Ranked third on Australia’s all-time list for the 20km walk, and holding the national record in the 35km walk, off the track, Bec balances elite sport with doctor of medicine studies at Melbourne University. Follow Bec at @bec_henderson.
Personal Bests
- 35 Kilometers Race Walk: 2:46:55
- 20 Kilometers Race Walk: 1:18:11
- 30 Kilometers Race Walk: 2:19:53
A multiple New Zealand representative in out-of-stadia events, Caitlin is a talented middle and long distance runner with an impressive range spanning 800m through 10km. A collegiate alumni who contested the 2024 World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, Caitlin is also an accomplished coach, guiding many competitors to state and national titles. Caitlin holds a Bachelor of Science in Family, Youth, and Community Life Sciences (Hons) and can be followed at @caitlinmcquilkinbell.
Personal Bests
- 800m: 2:07.48
- 1000m: 2:49
- 1500m: 4:24.40
- 3000m Steeplechase: 10:41.31
- 10km: 34:12
A Paralympic medalist and Oceania record holder, Dayna began her athletic journey at age 12, initially competing in running and jumping before transitioning to shot put, discus, and javelin, where she holds every Australian record from the under-15 age group through open. At the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Dayna won a bronze medal in the Women’s Javelin F34 and placed ninth in the Shot Put F34. Away from the track, Dayna has been working in the Early Childhood Education sector. Follow Dayna at @daynacrees__.
Personal Bests
- Javelin: 17.65m
- Shot Put: 6.32m
- Discus: 15.20m
A multiple national junior champion and state record holder, Mackenzie started athletics at the age of age eight, quickly gravitating toward throwing events, and has since progressed to Australian representation at the 2022 World U20 Athletics Championships in Colombia, where she placed ninth. Mackenzie is a passionate coach and mentor (you may have met her at JDS and ALAC) and currently trains with renowned coach and 2012 Olympian, Dale Stevenson. Follow Mackenzie at @mackenzie_mielczarek.
Personal Bests
- Javelin: 59.59m
- Shot Put: 12.67m
- Discus: 40.58m
A dynamic and versatile sprinter over the 100m, 200m, and 400m distances, Mia was a standout junior who won national U20 titles and represented Australia at the World U20 Championships. Despite battling ongoing injuries and illnesses, Mia earned a bronze medal in the 4×100m relay at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and would go on to make the semi-finals in the 200m at the 2024 Paris Olympics. With personal bests of 11.33, 22.73, and 52.02 , Mia is one of Australia’s top – and most versatile – sprinters. Follow Mia at @mia.gross.
Personal Bests:
- 100m: 11.33
- 200m: 22.73
- 400m: 52.02
As comfortable in the long jump as she is in the shot put, Mia followed her older sister into athletics at the age of five, finding her feet in the combined event discipline. A multiple state record holder, Mia claimed the Oceania U20 heptathlon championship and several Australian U20 medals, before qualifying for the 2024 World U20 Championships, where she placed fourth. Known for her versatility across seven demanding events, Mia balances her athletic career with studies in commerce. How does she fit it all in? Follow Mia at @miaascerri.
Personal Bests
- Heptathlon: 5770 points
- Long Jump: 6.30m
- High Jump: 1.77m
- 100m Hurdles: 14.37
- 400m: 56.62
- 200m: 25.12
A three-time national champion in the heptathlon, Taneille’s start in athletics came as an eight year old at Jimboomba Little Athletics Centre. A Queensland native, now adopted Victorian, Taneille showed promise as a talented junior hurdler, qualifying for the World Junior Championships before injury intervened. Going all-in as a heptathlete in 2020, Taneille was selected to represent Australia at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, where she finished fifth. Recently retired, you’ll still find her involved in sport as a coach and educator, including as a staff member of Special Olympics Australia.
Personal Bests
- 100m Hurdles: 13.42
- Heptathlon: 6062
- Long Jump: 6.25m
- High Jump: 1.79m
- 200m: 24.48
- 100m: 12.07
A talented national junior sprint champion, Tess transitioned to middle-distance racing and quickly made her mark. Winning the 800m title at the 2022 Oceania Championships and earning a spot at the World Athletics Championships, Tess has since lowered her 800m PB to 1:59.95, ticking a sub two-minute run off the goal list. She now aspires to make further Australian representative teams. Off the track, Tess is studying a Bachelor of Health Science in Naturopathy and Nutrition. Follow Tess at @tesskirsoppcole.
Personal Bests
- 800m: 1:59.95
- 400m: 54.04
- 200m: 25.18