05/10/2025
Thanks to everyone who has helped Annie get to this point! Not just a village, more like metropolis 🙏
I want to give a shout out to a few people regarding Annie’s amazing bronze medal achievement in Delhi on Thursday.
As a coach, to help someone reach the international stage is a pinnacle goal! To see them medal at the world Championships is a dream come true! I am proud of my contribution to Annie’s success and my commitment to the cause! But I am very cognisant of all the people on Team Annie who have each played a role, big and small, and without which, this feat could not have been achieved.
- A huge shout out to Jules Fleurus who has been Annie’s primary pacer over the last year or so and who provides so much more than just pacing duties. He brings a wonderful energy and athletics expertise not just to Annie’s training but to the HP and wider training group and club!
- Liz Gosper - co-coach, and IST founder, from which so many wonderful athletes have emerged and from which so many lives have been changed! Liz is a dynamo and a wonderful ongoing inspiration and support for Annie
- The whole IST community, coaches (Archer & Georgia G), members, and families! IST is a juggernaut and continues to grow and grow. It was the launching pad for Annie and another of other high performance athletes, and it remains a critical part of Annie’s social and emotional wellbeing!
- Our awesome HP middle distance squad - Laurie, Lochie, Josh, Zach, Cakra, Ridwan, Georgia, and others intermittently - you have helped Annie through some invaluable quality sessions and make training fun and inviting! Together I know each of you will in turn be inspired by Annie and will have your own peak performances moving forward.
- Team Annie pacers - Simon Holt, Peter Chappell, Aidan Jackson, Dave Brown, and Jules of course - you have each answered the call at various times in the lead up to Paris and more recently to Delhi - on these key time trials you have helped get the best out of Annie which has pushed her to new heights!!
- Our whole amazing training group community. I am so proud of what we have built together and the care, enthusiasm and support that every person brings to the table! It’s the perfect environment to enable every athlete to flourish and strive to reach their own individual potential! Let’s keep growing it.
- Physio extraordinaire Simon Holt (Livfit Physio) who has helped with diagnosis and treatment of any issues as they arise so they don’t develop into injuries, who has helped guide Annie’s S&C program, and who is just first class on every level!
- The VIS and all the wonderful facilities and professional and caring staff who work every day to help athletes perform at their very best when it counts
- Lead MD team coach; Philo Saunders and the MD squad here in Delhi (Jaryd Clifford, Angus Hincksman, Ben Eppelstun, Reece Langdon, Will Short, and Dan Milone - you have each supported and inspired Annie and made this campaign special in your own ways!
- The OXAC and HTC members and supporters with obvious cross over with the training group! Pulling on a club singlet gives every race more purpose and Annie has contributed greatly to the club and received unending support in return!
- Xavier College - who allow us to train on the school grounds and use the facilities, especially the lights in winter. We have some of the best ovals in town with magnificent backdrops of the school chapel to the east and the city skyline to the west!
- Most importantly Annie’s parents and family; Dad Alan, who shares Annie’s passion for running and who trains with and supports Annie on the ground so beautifully! Your gentle and always positive demeanour is persuasive! And mum Meagan, who is devoted and passionate about balancing Annie’s running and personal wellbeing in equal measure!
- And of course, Annie herself! Annie, your determination, your commitment to your sport, your kind and appreciative manner, your support of everyone else around! You have so many attributes that make you a unique and wonderful young woman and athlete! The sky is the limit and I know you will keep improving and striving to go as far as you can in athletics!!
Apologies if I’ve missed anyone! And sorry this is so long, but it does highlight just how many people have played a part in bringing about this most wonderful achievement by Annie!
Onward and upwards!!
