NAIDOC Week: The Strength of the Next Generation

The Australian colours sit freshly on her shoulders, but the story Layla Sharp carries runs far deeper than her team debut.

At just 17, the proud Biripi and Darug woman is one of five Indigenous teenagers representing Australia at the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, and her first steps to that stage come during NAIDOC Week, with the theme celebrating the next generation: strength, vision and legacy.

For Sharp, it’s more than just good timing, it’s powerful alignment.

“NAIDOC Week is very important to me and my culture,” Sharp says.

“I’ve got a big group of family that I actually went and met up with from my other nation, which is Biripi. I went and met with them back in March and it was really special. We had a gathering so this week means a lot to me and I’m remembering all those memories from earlier this year.”

For Sharp, identity and sport are deeply connected. Though it’s her first time announced on an Australian team, the sprinter carries herself with quiet pride.  Being surrounded by other young First Nations athletes at camp in Cairns has only made the experience more meaningful.

“The Welcome to Country yesterday at our team announcement was beautiful,” she said. “She presented it so well and it’s really nice to see that there’s a couple of athletes on the team and they’re from different nations and stuff as well. It’s definitely going to be a good experience doing this altogether for the first time.”

Even at such a young age, Sharp already knows the kind of legacy she hopes to leave as well as the person she wants to be.

“I want to be idolised as an Aboriginal person helping younger generations,” she says.

“Also, just people in general. People with disabilities, people who face discrimination in tough times. I love helping people out and assisting, so I definitely want to be seen  for that character.”

Her guiding light is Catherine Freeman, the same woman who lit the flame at the Sydney Olympics, and in doing so, lit a fire in generations to come.

“Cathy has been my idol for ages,” she says. “I’ve watched her 2000 race so many times and it’s so inspiring. The way that she built up to where she became and all of that, and how she uses her voice for younger Indigenous generations is so important.”

Born in 2007, seven years after Freeman’s historic night, the impact of the golden moment still burns bright.

“She made such a good impact, especially on the new century. It’s really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that hardly anyone gets to experience, especially on home soil.”

And maybe, in 2032, Sharp will have her own moment – racing in front of a home crowd with the strength of people behind her.

“Obviously now we have moved forward with recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It’s going to be really important at the home Paralympics and Olympics in 2032 to continue spreading that message. And for people like myself who are Aboriginal, it’s going to be even more important, doing it in the home country which is really significant.”

As NAIDOC Week champions the next generation through the theme strength, vision and legacy, Sharp is demonstrating exactly what that looks like, grounded in culture, inspired by history and ready to run towards the future.

First Nations Athletes on the Australian Team for the World Para Athletics Championships

Telaya Blacksmith
Events: 400m and Long Jump T20
Age: 17
Mob: Warlpiri
Coach: Jacinta Doyle

Hailing from Sydney, New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder Telaya Blacksmith began athletics in 2015 after a primary school teacher encouraged her to try Little Athletics. At just 16, she became the 16th known Indigenous athlete to represent Australia at the Paralympics, making the T20 400m final in Paris. Living with global developmental delay, Telaya credits her coach Jacinta for guiding her growth. Off the track, she enjoys music, drawing, and playing AFL with Southern Power and the Sydney Swans Academy. Currently in Year 12 at Endeavour Sports High, she aspires to compete at two more Paralympic Games.

Lexie Brown

Events: 100m and 200m T47
Age: 14
Mob: Gumbaynggir and Kamilaroi
Coach: Zenon Kowalczyk

Lexie Brown of Nambucca Heads started Little Athletics at five and was guided into multiclass competition by her school sports teacher. A lower-arm amputee, she’s smashed records in the 100m, 200m, and long jump, and served as NSW Team Captain in 2023. Lexie’s proudest moment was breaking multiple national age records, including a 200m time of 27.53. Inspired by her nan, she also enjoys NRL and plays at club level. She hopes to make a Paralympic team and is currently studying at Nambucca Heads High School.

Layla Sharp
Events: 200m and 400m T38
Age: 17
Mob:  Biripi and Darug
Coach: Rob Marks

Penrith’s Layla Sharp was nine when she followed her brother into Little Athletics—and never looked back. Driven by her passion to always improve, Layla is now the Australian T38 800m record holder (2:29) and 2024 NSW Para Women’s 400m champion. She lives with cerebral palsy ataxia and a vision impairment, navigating sport with resilience and adaptability. Her biggest supporter is her mum, who’s been by her side every step of the way. Layla loves the beach, her dogs, travelling, and shopping, and is currently completing Year 12. Her ambition? Medalling on the international stage and reaching the Paralympics and Commonwealth Games.

Kirra Wright
Events: 100m T46 and Shot Put F36
Age: 17
Mob: Gundijimurra and Darug
Coach: Craig Chapman

From Wallan, Victoria, Kirra Wright took up athletics at age nine thanks to school sport. A cerebral palsy athlete, she has medalled at Nationals in Open Shot Put and competed at the Maurie Plant Meet – Melbourne. Kirra is passionate about representation and navigating the challenges of living with a hidden disability. Inspired by her parents and coaches, she urges others to “give things a go.” She enjoys walking her dogs, going to the beach, and watching movies. A student at Assumption College, Kirra dreams of representing Australia at the Paralympics.

Briseis Brittain
Events: 200m T38
Age: 17
Mob: Djambarrpuyggu and Ramingining
Coach: Roger Chin

From remote Ramingining in the Northern Territory, Briseis was born with cerebral palsy and has collected a swathe of medals in her 15 years on the track, including from six national meets. Coached by Roger Chin, Briseis underwent further training during the first year of the Rio Tinto Athletics For The Outback program, which furthered developed her skills to become a better athlete. At the 2024 All Schools, she won three gold medals, and at last year’s Nationals she took gold in the 200m and 400m and silver in the 100m and this year, she bettered her times at Nationals with a 28.80 in the 200m and 1:07.48 in the 400m. Her dream is to follow the footsteps of Cathy Freeman and represent Australia at the LA 2028 Paralympic Games.