Running on Determination

On Track for success

Emmy Heit.
Emmy Heit.

Fourteen year old Emmy Heit has set her sights on her first international competition in January 2022.

Emmy is one of 41 athletes selected for the Little Athletics New Zealand Development Tour which takes place from 7 to 17 January 2022. 

The development tour includes two competitions conducted under full IAAF Rules (not Little Athletics modified rules) – the South Island Colgate Games and the Lovelock Classic.  

Emmy is training hard and hopes to compete in the 100 metre sprint, 200 metre sprint, long jump and shot put in both competitions. 

Emmy Heit started running with Little Athletics when she was seven years old, three years later, it was clear there was something special about her.

Emmy Heit.

In 2018, after she won the 100 metre sprint at Regionals, Donna Thomas, who previously coached Riley Day, asked Emmy  if she wanted to do more training.

Under Donna’s tutelage, Emmy went on to run third in the 100 metre sprint at the Australian School Sport Track and Field Championships that year – making her the third fastest eleven year old in Australia.

Donna describes Emmy as a dedicated athlete.

“She’s got every chance of doing whatever she sets her mind to.  She’s such a determined person for her age.”

In 2019, at twelve years old, Emmy took out a Silver medal in the 100 metre sprint, missing Gold by 0.01 of a second; Bronze in the 200 metres and Gold for Queensland in the 4x100m Relay.  

In addition to high school, working at Scenic Rim Discount Drug Store, training three days a week and competing on weekends, Emmy is raising funds to attend the Little Athletics New Zealand Development Tour in January 2022.

“It will be my first ever international competition,” she said.

She hopes to raise $1,500 of the $3,000 required for travel and competition costs.

Emmy’s mother, Jayne Heit says there is limited support for Athletics in Australia.

“Even Riley Day paid  her way to get to the Olympics,” said Jayne, “One year our competition costs, including travel, came to over $15,000.”

A fundraising night is being held at The Club, Beaudesert on 4 December from 5.30pm.

There is also a raffle being run through Heit’s Butchers in William Street, Beaudesert.

Emmy said she is very grateful for the assistance of local businesses and the community.

She would like to bring home a medal or personal best from the New Zealand Tour, but her sights are firmly set on her future.

“I hope to make the 2032 Olympics,” she said.

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About Keer Moriarty 403 Articles
Small town newspaper Editor, journo, social media manager and tea lady.