The Palau National Stadium will play host to a rising crop of 20 Australian athletes selected for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games to take place this July, with the development opportunity set to build on the nation’s status as a leader in the region both on and off the track.
The Athletics component of the 2025 Pacific Mini Games will take place from July 4-9 in Koror, Palau featuring 20 Australian athletes born in 2006, with the focus on serving final year Under 20 competitors an international experience to enhance their development.
A standout at the 2025 Australian Athletics Championships with wins in the Under 20 Long Jump and Triple Jump, 18-year-old Zoe Chester is primed to wear the green and gold – having fallen short of the 2024 World Athletics Under 20 Championships and being ineligible the 2026 instalment of the championships due to her age.
“I’m so excited and grateful to have the opportunity to compete in my first international competition! I had a great result at Perth Nationals, so I am super keen to get some more good jumps out,” Chester said.
“I’m looking forward to exploring Palau and experiencing the unique island culture, as well as getting to meet new people and make new connections.”
Also putting on a show for the Australian Championships at his home track was Perth product Aden McDonald who leapt to a stunning 7.71m (+2.6) to take out the Under 20 Men’s Long Jump crown, landing himself on the plane to Palau for the first international competition of his budding career.
“I’m incredibly excited to be selected for this trip and be provided with an opportunity to wear the green and gold. It’s a tremendous honour to compete for my country, and I’m committed to making the most of the opportunity,” McDonald said.
“My goals are to achieve great results, hopefully set a new personal best, gain valuable competition experience, and create unforgettable memories along the way.”
Featuring athletes from 24 Pacific nations across 12 sports headed by Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand, the green and gold contingent of 20 will look to build on Australia’s success at the 2023 Pacific Games – where the likes of Lachlan Kennedy, Connor Murphy and Ellie Beer made their mark in the Solomon Islands.
The 2025 Pacific Mini Games will bring together athletes from across the Pacific, uniting nations in a celebration of sport, culture, and camaraderie. The Athletics will take place over the 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th and 9th of July at the Palau National Stadium.
100m – James Gebert (VIC, Tony Marsh), Michael Alofokhai (QLD, Stacey Taurima), Kayedel Smith (TAS, Josh Mason), Evelyn John Jimmy (WA, Asad Hosseini)
200m – Isaac Kwan (NSW, Joshua Tassell), Smith
110m Hurdles – Alex Dunn (SA, Gaby Philis)
Long Jump – Aden McDonald (WA, Lee Derby), Zoe Chester (QLD, Liam Adcock)
High Jump – Lucas Faber (VIC, Jeffrey Lang), Cooper Blake (QLD, Olivia Stewart), Zoe Peacock (QLD, Tyron Peacock)
Triple Jump – Raphaila Idris (NSW, Greg Smith), Chester
Discus Throw – Angus Clues (NSW, David Bruce), Charlize Goody (QLD, John Frazier), Taylor Larsson (SA, Steve Larsson)
Javelin Throw – Toby Camilleri (NSW, Rhys Stein), Isabelle Cruickshank (NSW), Goody
Shot Put – Lee Martin (QLD, Des Davis), Larsson, Clues
Hammer Throw – Natasha Lynch (QLD, Matthew Symonds), Emily Thomas (NSW, Ernie Shankelton)
By Lachlan Moorhouse, Australian Athletics
Posted 13/5/2025
