Fact Sheets & Video - Sunshine Coast Region

The Sunshine Coast with Pole Vaulter Alana Boyd

Since pole vaulter Alana Boyd was in Grade 4 her personal aim was "To compete at the Olympic Games". The daughter of two former Olympians, Ray and Denise Boyd, Alana is now realising her dream at the upcoming 2008 Beijing Olympics as well as keeping it in the family when it comes to the track and field events at Olympic Games' status.

Alana's father Ray Boyd is a former Olympian pole vaulter, while her mother Denise (nee Robertson) is a former Olympian sprinter. Both of them represented Australia at two Olympic Games. Denise held the Australian record over 200m with 22.32 from 1980 until 1994, when Melinda Gainsford-Taylor Smith and Cathy Freeman broke it. Ray has won 12 Australian pole vault titles with a personal best of 5.30m.

But the family's sporting genetics don't stop there. Younger sister Jacinta Boyd is a long jump competitor and brother Matthew Boyd is also a pole vaulter, who only recently broke his father's personal best. Alana's selection for the Beijing Games also marks the first time in our nation's history that a child of two former Olympians will compete in an Australian Olympic team.

In the lead up to her Beijing preparation, 24-year-old Alana spends half her week working with Queensland Athletics and training in Brisbane, while the other half of her week is back at the Boyd family home at Alexandra Headland on the Sunshine Coast. The latter is where she trains under the expert eye of her father (who believes Alana has exceptional pole vaulting talent and the strength to win an Olympic medal), and the guidance of her mother. Alana regards both of her parents as her greatest sporting influence.

Alexandra Headland, also known as "Alex" by the locals, is the laid-back coastal community situated on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, around 1.5 hour's drive from Brisbane. The community is located on what is known as the Sunshine Strip, which sits between Mooloolaba and Maroochydore. Virtually having the ocean at the Boyd's back door allows Alana and her family to enjoy regular leisurely activities such as picnics, local fish and chips and walks at the beach with friends. Alana also likes to indulge in some retail therapy at nearby Maroochydore or catch up for coffee with friends when her training schedule permits. And for all those young and aspiring Olympians, Alana says: "Try different events and don't focus on training so much too young - the hard work will come soon enough."

Further Information:

Sunshine Coast, QLD

Oaks Seaforth Resort

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Valid until 30/11/08

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1800-010-336

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