Hi! I'm Emily Whelan and I am a high jumper based in Newcastle, NSW. This year I am taking part in the Aussie Athlete Fund's $1 Million Challenge. This initiative is run by 5-time Olympian Natalie Cook and helps 100 Aussie athletes fundraise $10,000 each, putting us one step closer to achieving our sporting goals. To learn more about my journey and why I am fundraising please read on.

I have a dream...

To represent Australia at the 2028 Olympic Games to be held in Los Angeles, USA.

How will I get there?

With plenty of hard work, dedication and your support!

But first, how did I get this far? - My journey to the world stage.

I began Little Athletics when I was just 3 years old. I first tried high jump when I was 8 and started training for it when I was 10. I quickly fell in love with the sport. At age 13 I represented NSW for the first time at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships, coming home with a bronze medal. In 2017 I juggled finishing high school with representing Australia for the first time, at the Commonwealth Youth Games, I placed 2nd. Since then, I have completed a university degree in medical engineering, worked casually in hospitality and retail, and part time as a mechanical engineer; all while I continued to train and compete at an international level. In 2024 I took a 6 month break from the sport, giving myself the time to physically and mentally recover from a fun thing called burnout. I learnt many lessons from this experience and it has made me into the athlete I am today.

So, where am I now?

In 2025 I made the comeback of my dreams. I returned to high jump as a full time athlete, with a new love and appreciation for the sport. I competed throughout the 2025 Australian domestic season surpassing my previous personal best (PB) twice, improving by 4cm in just 4 months of competition. The domestic season culminated in the Australian Athletics Championships in Perth where I placed third and equalled my new PB of 1.91m. After a European season filled with ups and downs, I was named on the Australian team to compete at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in September. I wore the green and gold with pride in Tokyo and finished the competition ranked #24 in the world! Now I am back at training preparing for the next domestic and international season, which includes the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

How can you make a difference?

You can support me by making a TAX-DEDUCTABLE DONATION, helping to ease the financial pressure that comes with being an elite athlete, and ultimately allowing me to represent our country on the world stage. Without your help, achieving my dream will not be possible. Please see the budget breakdown below detailing all expenses required for me to continue representing Australia. Any donation big or small will be greatly appreciated as these costs are all self-funded. Thank you for your support!

How will your donation be spent? - Budget breakdown per year

• International and domestic travel (flights, accommodation, food): $12,000
• Massage treatment and recovery: $1,500
• Coaching and training facility entry: $3,500
• Transport to training (petrol): $6,700
• Club and competition fees: $500
• Supplements: $700
• Equipment: $400
• Total: $25,300

Interested in partnering with me?

If you are a business looking to support local athletes, please reach out to myself (Emily Whelan) or the Aussie Athlete Fund here. I look forward to working with you!