FROM rural Victoria to the world stage, siblings Mackenzie and Jackson Macdonald are chasing big dreams and calling on the community to help fuel their journey.
The pair have been selected as two of only 100 young athletes nationwide to take part in the Aussie Athlete Fund’s $1 Million Challenge, a national initiative spearheaded by Olympian Nat Cook. The challenge aims to support promising athletes through mentorship, storytelling training and grassroots fundraising opportunities.
Mackenzie, a taekwondo competitor, has already represented Australia at two World Championships in Bulgaria and Bosnia, while Jackson is making waves in world of junior road racing.
“It’s pretty surreal. I’ve been doing this since I was six. To now compete on the world stage, wearing green and gold. It means everything,” Mackenzie said.
Their participation in the challenge comes with monthly tasks, including approaching local businesses for sponsorship, sharing their stories online, and engaging with their communities in creative ways. One such initiative encouraged athletes to ask for a box of fruit or small prize from a local store to both build confidence and foster grassroots support.
So far, Jackson has received backing from companies in the pool industry and secured support from Chicho Lorenzo, a well-known mentor in international motorcycling. Mackenzie has leaned on her social media to thank donors and share updates from overseas competitions, including a nail-biting finish where she missed a medal by less than a second.
Each athlete has a fundraising page hosted through the Australian Sports Foundation, which allows individuals and businesses to make tax-deductible contributions year-round. With the end of financial year approaching, now is a particularly impactful time to give.
“We’re not just raising funds, we’re learning how to build relationships and represent our community,” Mackenzie said.
“That ongoing connection with people who back us means a lot.”
Funds raised will go towards flights, accommodation, gear, entry fees, and fuel, all of which adds up quickly for the family and other young athletes. As regional athletes, the cost of regular travel to Melbourne for training is another barrier. Mackenzie trains anywhere from five to seven times a week, often waking before dawn to make it to classes.
Despite the growing demands of international sport, the family remains grounded.
“We never set out thinking this would happen,” the siblings’ mother, Kristy Macdonald said.
“It started as a way to keep them active and ended up being a passion that’s taken them across the world.”
Local businesses and individuals interested in supporting Jackson and Mackenzie can do so via their dedicated fundraising pages:
Jackson: bit.ly/3TtK8H5
Mackenzie: bit.ly/4leMGoC
As Mackenzie puts it, “We’re proud to represent Australia, and even prouder to represent our local community while we do it.”
