Athletics
22 January, 2026
Athletics trio chuffed at international experience
Horsham Little Athletics Centre’s Jett Hill, Benji Jowett and Gretel Blake have returned from New Zealand with a mix of medals and great experiences after competing for Victoria in the North Island Colgate Games in Tauranga.
The trio represented Little Athletics Victoria as part of the 2026 New Zealand Development Tour, which included competing against some of New Zealand’s best young athletes at Tauranga between January 9 and January 11.
Jett Hill was a standout at the games in the boys' 13 years category, winning three gold medals in the 400m, the 4x100m relay and the medley relay, as well as bronze in the 200m.
Hill also finished ninth in the discus and 12th in the 800m.
Benji Jowett also competed in the 13 boys' category and claimed a silver in the medley relay and two bronze medals in the long jump and the 4x100m relay.
He finished fourth in the shotput, fifth in the 80m hurdles, 10th in the 100m and 17th in the 200m.
Gretel Blake competed in the 14 years girls' category and finished 31st in the 100m, 25th in the 200m, 18th in both the 400m and 800m, and sixth in the 4x100m relay.
The games was the first international competition for the trio and the first time travelling overseas for both Hill and Jowett.
Blake said it was a great experience that allowed her to meet new people and visit various attractions, including Aut Millineium, a world-class training facility.
“It was an amazing opportunity, not just to make new friends but to ger around and support each other,” Blake said.
“Everybody, including the New Zealanders, was so friendly.
“We also went to lots of tourist attractions.
"We went to a theme park, we went shopping in Auckland and we visited and stayed at the AUT Millenium.”
Jowett said he was nervous at the start of the competition but came into his own.
“At first I was nervous since it was my first time in a new country,” he said.
“Once I started getting into the rhythm, I felt like I performed well.”
After an exhausting meet which included 10 track races, Hill said he was very pleased with his performances.
“I’m very happy with three golds and a bronze,” Hill said.
“I realised I had done 10 running events so it was quite tiring.”