By Jackson Russell
Wandong athlete Kirra Wright is hoping to win a gold medal at the School Sport Australia Track and Field Championship in Darwin later this year but needs help from the community to get to there.
Kirra will compete in the 100m, 200m, long jump and 4x100m relay and could also earn a place in the medley relay team.
Her mother Kylie Portelli has launched a GoFundMe page with the goal of raising $2000 of the $3000 required to fly Kirra to the championships and for registration.
Ms Portelli said she and Kirra would also raise money at the Wallan Olde Time Market on Saturday.
“We’re going to set up a tin for donations and we’re also going to have a guessing jar full of lollies and raffle tickets from School Sports Victoria,” she said.
“With that, first prize is a car then $10,000 accommodation voucher for second so they’re big prizes for $2 a ticket.”
Kirra’s fundraising page can be found gofundme.com/9f2rr-going-for-gold.
Kirra’s age of 11 years old means she’s ineligible for a lot of grants that often help get prodigy athletes to the compete at major events.
Kirra is excited about being able to go to nationals again after breaking the School Sport Australia 100m record with a time of 16.73 seconds in the Girls 10 Years T38 class last year.
“I’m excited about nationals, a couple of my friends from Little Aths are going as well,” Kirra said.
“I want to get another gold medal and break the record in the 100m again. My fastest time is 16.64. I smashed my PB in long jump too, I jumped 3.26 metres.”
Kirra also recently received an award for Cross Country with a Multi Class at the 2018 Victorian School Sports Awards at the MCG in March, after winning two gold medals at the School Sports Australia National Cross Country Championships last year.
Kirra said she was happy to receive the award and talk to Commonwealth Games marathon gold medallist Steve Moneghetti.
“I just wish I was wearing my Australian uniform. He said to keep going and keep trying and I’ll get there,” she said.
