NOWRA Hill siblings Mason and Jayla Beresford have recently returned home from competing against a number of the world’s top athletes at the 2017 track and field athletics tour of Canada.
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Mason, 14, who was selected in the 60-person squad on the back of strong results in 2016, competed in the long jump, triple jump, discus and javelin.
To make his accomplishments even more special, he had to overcome Crohn's disease, which he was diagnosed with in February.
“I knew it would be hard for me competing in Canada because I had to compete against 15-year-olds as well as kids my own age and especially because have lost a lot of my fitness from being so sick at the start of the year – so I was just hoping to get a new personal best,” Mason said.
“I was really happy with the way I performed – the best I’ve done since I've been sick, so I was really happy with that.
“It was an amazing experience, I met so many people and learnt so much about different culture on the trip.
“I have learnt to be more positive and have more confidence in myself, while making so many new friends.
“This is the best thing I've ever done to compete in another country against international athletes was an amazing experience I will never forget.
“I would like to thank, on behalf of both Jayla and myself, my mum and dad for making the trip possible and my coaches Sam and Bill plus my coach on the trip Garry - they have all helped us get to were we are today.”
Not to be outdone is Mason’s younger sister Jayla, 11, who competed in the long jump, shot put, discus and javelin, after being forced to withdraw from the 100m, 200m and 800m walk due to a knee injury.
“My hope was to finish in the top eight because you get medals for first, second and third and then ribbons up to eighth place in Canada,” Jayla said.
“I was very excited when I ended getting three bronze medals, two in discus and one in shot put and also got fourth place in javelin at both Kelowna and Vancouver.
“I had a great time on the trip and got to meet so many new friends - some from Australia and some from Canada, which taught me about their culture.
“I also think I have become more confident being around so many encouraging and positive people.
“I never thought I would get to compete internationally and the fact that I got three medals makes this such an amazing experience for me.”
Mason, a Nowra Christian School student, has high hopes for himself in the future but knows the road ahead is going to have a few challenges.
“When the specialist diagnosed me with Crohn's disease he said he wanted me to keep doing athletics as it keeps me fit and healthy,” he said.
“I take medication he prescribed for me twice a day as well as a whole heap of vitamins and minerals from a naturopath as well as eating a healthy diet.
“Some days are a struggle at training but my coaches are very understanding.
“I have also learnt not to stress and just enjoy competing as stress flares up my Crohn's disease.”
Mason and Jayla will next compete at the school Zone athletics carnival next week before heading to state, CIS and NSW All-Schools – with little athletics and Nowra athletics starting back up in September.
“After having a taste of competing on the world stage, I would love to go back to Canada to compete again in the future,” Mason said.