Hello everyone,

My name is Ashlyn Blackstock and I am a 21 year old discus and shotput thrower from Lake Macquarie, NSW. I have been selected to compete in discus at the Taiwan Open Championships as part of the 2025 Australian Athletics U23 Tour in June as well as the Australian Oceania Cup Team headed to Tonga this year. As these are self-funded competitions I would really appreciate any assistance.

A bit more about me!

My involvement in athletics began when I was 7 when, after three years of begging, my parents FINALLY took me to Little Athletics. Eastlakes Athlethics has been my club and athletics has been my passion since that day! I started being coached in throws when I was 9 and by the time I was 13 I was winning CHS State, All Schools State, Little Athletics State, National All Schools and National Junior titles and breaking CHS state records.

In 2022, as my coach and I set our sights on the Oceania Championships as my first Australian representative experience, everything changed very quickly. I got Covid followed by Glandular Fever and at Nationals I just didn't have the strength required to place and secure a spot on the team. Then a week after nationals my heart was broken by the passing of my coach. I did not know how I would throw without him! In a twist in the story the Australian selectors offered me a spot on the Oceania Team and though I had no coach and was in mourning I said yes. I competed and medaled in the U23 discus.

And now...

I am now coached by Denis Knowles and Stuart Farrant and in the past three years we have significantly changed my throw. This has been a tough journey but during this time I have represented Australia as part of the U20 European Tour in 2023 medaling in the English National Championships and a finalist in the U20 European Invitational.

I have a packed schedule which includes 6 days of training a week with throws, gym and field work; passing on my knowledge and love of throwing by coaching other young regional athletes; and attending university but I wouldn't have it any other way!

I have big dreams - yes all those dreams every athlete dares to have - Commonwealth Games, World Champs and Olympics. Tours such as the U23 Tour and Oceania Cup are really important development pathways - competing overseas, away from family and coaches and in competitions with different athletes from different nations.

I really appreciate you clicking and reading and if you would like to donate to make this experience possible that would be awesome!

Thank you so much for your consideration,

Ash