Carla Bull

BIOGRAPHY

Gold Coast’s Carla Bull has emerged into one of Australia’s leading sprinters in a few short years under coach Brett Robinson. From occasionally qualifying for the Australian championships as a teenager, then overcoming a COVID forced competition break, she has gone on to win the women’s Stawell Gift, represent Australia twice, win a global medal and gradual events. The now 23-year-old has achieved all this after moving away from home as a teenager for university and coaching, owning and operating a gym and studying physiotherapy.

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Carla Bull’s journey in athletics started alongside her sister in Little Athletics at Hervey Bay when she was aged eight. Through her teenage years living on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, running primarily the 100m and 200m, Carla would occasionally win State medals and compete at the Australian junior and school championships. Aged 14, she ran some good sprint times of 12.53 and 25.66/25.21w. But she would not progress much past these times for a few years.

Aged 17, in early 2020 she relocated to the Gold Coast to attend university and train under coach Brett Robinson, but unfortunately COVID hit, and she would not race during the entire year. In her last year as a junior athlete in 2021, she reduced her sprint PBs to 12.31 and 24.79.

In 2022 she didn’t race on the track, concentrating on professional gift running and over Easter won the women’s Stawell Gift off six metres. She describes it as ‘another pivotal moment in my athletics journey’.

Carla’s times started to progress in 2023, clocking a 200m PB of 23.57 and placing fifth at the Australian Championships. She was also selected to make her Australian team debut where she made the semi-finals of the 200m at the World University Games.

There was more progression in 2024 setting PBs of 11.68 and 23.44 and placing sixth in the 200m at the Australian Championships. But for her 2025 season Carla would make a change and add the 400m to her program. In her debut over the distance in December 2024 she clocked a respectable 55.37. Over the next six months she would jump a second at a time running PBs of 53.96 (Jan), 52.85 (Apr), 52.29 (Jul). Domestically in 2025, her 200m was also on the move clocking best times of 23.00/22.96w and placing third at the Australian Championships.

Selected for the 2025 World Relay Championships in May, her versatility was an asset for the Australian team. Each of the two-day championships she ran a 400m, initially in the women’s 4x400m and then in the mixed 4x400m. She first helped the Australian women’s 4x400m team to qualification for the Tokyo world championships with a 52.58 400m relay split. Then in the mixed 4x400m she anchored the team to a bronze medal in a sensational split of 51.27 and helped the team to an Australian record. It was also her first global medal. But Carla’s speed was also used in the mixed 4x100m relay where she ran a heat and final over the two days.

Memorable sporting achievement: Making her first Australian team and winning the women’s Stawell Gift in 2022 – “It gave me a huge boost in confidence and has continued to shape my belief in myself ever since.”…Hero: She admires US sprinter Gabby Thomas. She competes in both the 200m and 400m individually, as well as in the 4x400m and 4x100m relays. “Being versatile and able to run at such a high level over multiple distances is something I aspire too”…Most influential person in career:  First coach in Hervey Bay, Rick MacDonald. “He had a huge impact early on, not just in shaping my development on the track, but in helping me grow off the track and nurturing my love for the sport.” Her parents – a steady presence, constant support and believing in her. Viking Athletics “In more recent years, being part of Viking Athletics under Brett Robinson has played a major role in progressing my career and shaping my day-to-day as an athlete.”…Advice to your young self: “A piece of sporting advice that has only clicked this last year is Train hard, Recover harder. I used to worry about injury or overdoing it, but I’ve learned I have so much more to give and the body is more than capable of this as long as you back yourself and stay consistent with your recovery. This actually transfers into other areas as well, work hard and relax harder. We are actually capable of and have capacity for so much more than we think.”…Hobbies/Interests: women’s health and the factors that influence performance in female athletes. Owns and runs a women’s Gym on the Gold Coast and study Physiotherapy full time… Sporting ambition: “Continue to represent Australia on the world stage and ultimately gain selection in the Australian Olympic team in 2028 …Occupation: Women’s gym Owner and Coach (Empowered Strength and Fitness Studio); Fourth year Physiotherapy Student…Education: Certificate 3 and 4 in Fitness (2019-2020), Bachelor of Exercise Science at Griffith University (2020-2021) then transferred to Bachelor of Physiotherapy at Griffith University (2022-2025)…Other sports: Surf Lifesaving with BMD Northcliffe Surf Lifesaving Club…Biggest challenge faced: “Moving to the Gold Coast and juggling life as a business owner, physio student, and track athlete. Balancing all three takes a lot of energy, discipline, and time management, but it’s also pushed me to grow in ways I never expected.”

@ 11 Sept 2025 david.tarbotton@athletics.org.au