Australia’s developing athletes will continue to gain international experience on their road to the world stage, with 20 athletes under the age of 23 earning their start for the Oceania Cup in Nuku’alofa, Tonga where they will size up the Area’s best this October.
Set to take place from October 29 to November 1 in Nuku’alofa, which means residence of love and is home to the Teaufavia Stadium, a group of rising Australians will touch down in the green and gold for the first international competition in the Kingdom of Tonga since 1998.
A development tour for Under 23 athletes who have not previously represented at World, Commonwealth or Olympic level and would otherwise not have an international competition this year, Australia’s team for the Oceania Cup is reflective of the nation’s depth with the FISU World University Games, Australian Athletics Under 23 Tour and Pacific Mini Games also hosted in 2025.
Finishing fourth in the Open Men’s 100m final at the 2022 Australian Athletics Championships as an 18-year-old, Toowoomba sprinter Jai Gordon is building back towards his best form after a series of injuries, with the international opportunity setting the 10.28-second man back on track.
“I’m incredibly proud to have been selected for the Oceania Cup team. Wearing the green and gold again after three challenging years of injury means the world to me,” Gordon said.
“This selection is a testament to the incredible support I’ve received from my family, coaches, therapists, mates, and the wider regional Queensland community.”
A teammate of Gordon’s at the 2022 World Athletics Under 20 Championships, 400m runner Jasmin Guthrie will also add another Australian team to her growing resume, fresh off a personal best of 53.32-seconds at the 2025 Australian Athletics Championships.
In the field, the action will be led by resurgent high jumper Zane Paterson and Central Coast long jumper Katie Gunn, with the team of 20 boasting strength across the board in their bid to set the benchmark for the Area.
The Oceania Cup is a teams-based competition, with athletes representing the regions of the Area, Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia as well as Australia, New Zealand and Tonga. The 2025 Oceania Cup will be held in Nuku’alofa, Tonga from October 29 to November 1, with more details on the Australian action to be made available closer to the beginning of the event.
100m – Ebony Newton (NSW, Trevor Height), Jai Gordon (QLD, Jackie Gallagher), Liam Granato (NSW, Benjamin James)
200m – Charlize Sivyer (QLD, Travis Venema)
400m – Sivyer, Ashley Pernecker (QLD, Tom Ristuccia), Jasmin Guthrie (NSW, Angus McEntyre), Josh Fabiani (QLD, Alex Beck)
800m – Pernecker, William Dyball (NSW, Melinda Mustapic)
1500m – Hannah Doyle (WA, Brenton Mizen), Dezmond Cutter (QLD, Michael Cacciola)
3000m – Doyle, Cutter
100m Hurdles – Newton, Tiahna Skelton (NSW, Mick Zisti)
400m Hurdles – Pernecker, Ashley Spencer (WA, Lyn Foreman & Remo Pollastri)
Discus Throw – Ashlyn Blackstock (NSW, Denis Knowles & Stuart Farrant), Thomas Stunden (QLD, Jason Tunks)
Hammer Throw – Jackson Mellor (TAS, Dale Stevenson)
High Jump – Connor Larsen (QLD, Theresa Stolberg), Zane Paterson (QLD, Theresa Stolberg)
Javelin Throw – Lucas Thorn (QLD, Brett Green)
Long Jump – Katie Gunn (NSW, Matt Horsnell)
Shot Put – Mellor, Stunden
Triple Jump – Claire Gouws (NSW, Ted Ruben)
By Lachlan Moorhouse, Australian Athletics
Posted 29/5/2025
