About Me:

I am a year 11 student at St Joseph's Catholic High School in Albion Park (Wollongong), currently studying Economics at a year 12/HSC level (I will sit my final HSC exams for Economics this year in year 11), with the hopes of studying Law and International Relations at the University of Wollongong after high school. St Joseph's has been incredibly supportive of my karate career with the help of the Elite Athlete program which is delivered jointly with BaiMed Physiotherapy Wollongong.

I have studied karate for seven years achieving a double brown belt in two separate karate styles (Shotokan and Shitoryu, both traditional Japanese karate styles). I have been competing since 2017 in regional, state, and national tournaments and competitions. In that time I have trained with some of the world's best coaches and competitors including a three-day training camp with Junior Lefevre (6th Dan Belgian-Croatian World Champion and European World Champion), kumite seminar with Azdin Rghioui (World Karate Champion, European Karate Champion), several two-night (3hr sessions) camps with Antonio Olivia (8th Dan Chief Instructor of World Karate Federation and technical/official/national coach of over 66 different countries). I currently train at Samurai Kimura Shukokai dojo in Thirroul under Sensei Paul Pirie (4th Dan).

Being selected to represent Australia has been a dream of mine since I started competing and progressing my skill set to placing and earning bronze, silvers, and golds. It was then that I realised the possibility of representing my country was within my reach if I focused and trained with determination and discipline.

By using the skills I've learned in karate, I have been able to increase my leadership skills including becoming Sports Captain (at Thornlands Primary School, QLD), becoming a volunteer for the Chaplaincy program (Cleveland District High School, QLD) and volunteering to help during training of younger karate students at my current and previous dojos.

Attending the World Championships will help me to continue to build my personal confidence and set myself up for more significant leadership roles now and in my future.

I will be using donations to help fund my attendance at:

• Kimura Shukokai International World Championships in South Africa from 10 July to 15 July 2023.
• Entry fees into under 18’s Women's Kata and under 18’s Women's Kumite 
• Australian training and representative tracksuits and training apparel, and
• Upgrading personal protective equipment to satisfy International tournament standards (mitts, guards etc)

Please join me at https://www.facebook.com/CaitlinBrookerKarate to stay up to date with my achievements.

Photographs ©Stephanie Frazer Photography (www.stephaniefrazerphotography.com)