Strong NSWIS contingent primed for World Athletics Relays

Australia will look to cement its status as a relay nation with 30 athletes bound for the 2026 World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana on May 2-3; Lachlan Kennedy and Torrie Lewis among the names ready to take one step closer to the global podium.

The two-day championships will feature Australia’s fastest athletes across six events, all of which serve as qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships – the Men’s 4x100m, Women’s 4x100m, Mixed 4x100m, Men’s 4x400m, Women’s 4x400m and Mixed 4x400m.

Sub-10 second man Kennedy (QLD, Andrew Iselin) and reigning national champion Rohan Browning (NSWIS, Jack Edwards and pictured above) will spearhead the Men’s 4x100m, alongside the in-form Joshua Azzopardi (NSWIS, Rob Marks).

Kennedy, who became the second Australian man in history to break 10-seconds with his 9.98-second performance last year, is excited by the prospect of returning to the world stage with his teammates. I’m super excited to be able to go out there and run!

“Anytime you get the wear the green and gold it’s the ultimate privilege, so I’m super keen to go out there and get it,” Kennedy said. “I think the fellas have got some real fire in them and I reckon we have a solid shot at getting a medal and winning gold!

“I’ve never been to Botswana before but I’ve heard great things it’s always cool to visit all these places I probably never would’ve visited if I wasn’t an athlete.”

Australian record holder Torrie Lewis (QLD, Laurent Meuwly) is set to lead a new-look Women’s 4x100m lineup which will demonstrate the nation’s depth of sprinting, with the squad still including Olympic teammates Kristie Edwards (NSWIS, Andrew Murphy and pictured above) and Ebony Lane (QLD, Christopher Dale).

The 4x400m action will include a rapid rise of 400m men, three of which have shattered the 45-second barrier – Reece Holder (QLD, Christopher Dale), Aidan Murphy (SA, Nik Hagicostas) and Cooper Sherman (VIC, Neville Down). The team will be eager to bounce back after being disqualified at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, denying them a historic national record.

With up to 24 countries in each event and the top 12 to qualify for the 2027 World Athletics Championships, Mia Gross (VIC, John Nicolosi) said the Women’s 4x400m will be chasing a ticket to Beijing next year, while Australia’s Mixed 4x400m team won silver at the 2025 World Athletics Relays.

“The 4x400m team is getting tougher and tougher to make, which is a real credit to the girls continuing to raise the bar,” Gross said.

“It’s pushing all of us forward as we work towards our goal of becoming one of the best 4x400m teams in the world. We want to be in finals, competing with the very best, and making Australia proud.

“We’re still a young team with plenty of room to grow, and these big stages are where we learn the most.”

Australian Athletics General Manager – High Performance, Andrew Faichney said Australia’s biggest ever team at the championships reflects an ongoing commitment to building the relay program ahead of 2028 and 2032.

“The team is a great mix of youth and experience which is important in our immediate goals to qualify for the 2027 World Championships, while also looking ahead to Los Angeles and Brisbane,” Faichney said.

“Selecting a big team is a testament to the athletes’ commitment to the relay program, and also their form throughout the Chemist Warehouse Summer Series.”

The team will be supported be David Reid (Team Leader), Craig Pickering (Men’s 4×100 Coach), Cathalina Walsh (Women’s 4x100m Coach), Matthew Lynch (Men’s 4x400m Coach), Leana Joyce (Women’s 4x400m Coach), Brooke Davies (Operations Manager), Richard Saw (Doctor), Gavin Manoharan (Physiotherapist), Emma Millett (Biomechanist), Gavin Hunter (Soft Tissue Therapist) and Lily Chiu (Soft Tissue Therapist).

The 2026 World Athletics Relays will be held from May 2-3 in Gaborone, Botswana.

Australian Team for the 2026 World Athletics Relays

Women’s and Mixed 4x100m (SQUAD*) – Olivia Dodds (WA, Lyn Foreman), Kristie Edwards (NSWIS, Andrew Murphy), Monique Hanlon (QLD, Luke Donatini), Georgia Harris (QLD, Paul Pearce), Olivia Hastings (SA, Dan Semmler), Ebony Lane (QLD, Christopher Dale), Torrie Lewis (QLD, Laurent Meuwly), Chloe Mannix-Power (QLD, Brett Robinson), Lakara Stallan (NSWIS, Andrew Murphy)

Women’s and Mixed 4x400m (SQUAD*) – Ellie Beer (QLD, Brett Robinson), Carla Bull (QLD, Brett Robinson), Sarah Carli (NSWIS, Abbie Taddeo and pictured above), Alice Dixon (NSW, Katie Edwards), Mia Gross (VIC, John Nicolosi), Jemma Pollard (NSWIS, Tim Eschebach)

Men’s and Mixed 4x100m (SQUAD*) – Joshua Azzopardi (NSWIS, Rob Marks), Connor Bond (NSWIS, Mick Zisti), Rohan Browning (NSWIS, Jack Edwards), Jacob Despard (TAS, Brett Robinson), Jai Gordon (QLD, Jackie Gallagher), Chris Ius (NSWIS, Andrew Murphy), Lachlan Kennedy (QLD, Andrew Iselin), Calab Law (QLD, Andrew Iselin), Edward Nketia (ACT, Gus Nketia)

Men’s and Mixed 4x400m (SQUAD*) – Zane Branco (NSW, Andrew Murphy), Reece Holder (QLD, Christopher Dale), Matthew Hunt (NSW, Ben Liddy), Aidan Murphy (SA, Nik Hagicostas), Thomas Reynolds (VIC, Matthew Oakley), Cooper Sherman (VIC, Neville Down), Luke van Ratingen (NSWIS, Ben Liddy)

*Final 4x100m teams will consist of eight men and eight women from the selected squads, to be determined prior to departure.

**Final 4x400m teams will consist of seven men and seven women.

Lachlan Moorhouse, Australian Athletics