Emily Whelan

BIOGRAPHY

Emily Whelan has had one of the earliest starts in athletics age 3 at Mount Isa Little Athletics Club “because my friends were joining up.” But if would be a few years before she tried high jump at age 8. “Funnily enough, I did not enjoy it at all, I had no idea how to do it and found it too hard. But the next year someone at the club showed me the Fosbury Flop technique and it instantly clicked.”

Emily had moved to Newcastle aged 4 and from age 10 started training with a coach Mark Taylor (a 2.20m high jumper). After Mark moved from Newcastle, Emily continued to be coached by Mark by correspondence. “I did all my training by myself.” Through her teenage years there were lots of highs including jumping a very impressive 1.83m aged 17 and making her first Australian team (Commonwealth Youth Games).

Just before COVID shut down the world, Emily had a breakthrough leaping 1.85m in February 2020. Then at the 2021 and 2022 Australian championships she won silver, although the heights were not progressing, she was consistent. But her patience was rewarded in 2023 with another second at Nationals and including a series of three jumps over 1.86m.

After the 2023 summer she travelled to Europe and battled to clear 1.80m.

Over the next 18 months Emily endured some challengers.

“I lived in Newcastle but my training was based on the Central Coast, a one hour drive away. My biggest challenge was trying to manage work, University, and training (including the daily 2hr travel time). Eventually it became too much, and I suffered from burnout. This was a difficult time for me because I was no longer enjoying the sport, but I didn’t really know why. I took some time away from high jump to get some balance back in my life, during this time I didn’t know if I would return to the sport. In the end, I returned to high jump with a reignited passion for the sport. Taking a break was the best decision I made for my career because it gave me time to reflect on what was important to me and what I wanted in my life.”

By the summer of 2024/25 was back and the break worked. In January she opened her season with a PB 1.90m, then 1.91m in Canberra a week later, she was now top-10 Australian all-time. She matched that new PB at Nationals placing 3rd behind global medallists Nicola Olyslagers and Eleanor Patterson.

With some good jumps at the right time, Emily gained sufficient World Athletics points to qualify in the high jump for the 2025 World Championships.

Hero: Nicola Olyslagers, she is my training partner and friend. Nicola is always encouraging no matter the circumstance. Her ability to find inspiration in all elements of life, no matter how big or small, gives me motivation to be the best person and athlete I can be…Most influential person in your career: My first coach, Mark Taylor. Mark was my coach for 10 years, from ages 10-20. He pushed me to work hard to achieve my goals and always believed in my potential, even as a young athlete. I am still in contact with Mark today, he is like a mentor to me. Advice to your young self: Be patient and make the most of the opportunities that you have worked hard for. Hobbies: Baking, photography, MotoGP and exploring outdoors… Education: Bachelor of Medical Engineering (honours) from University of Newcastle (2018-2023)…Employment: Graduate Engineer at Melvelle Equipment Corp (Jan 2023 – Nov 2024)…Other sports: netball for 9 years through school…Sporting ambition: To represent Australia at the LA Olympic Games and to inspire young athletes to chase their dreams…

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