Family Ties Run Deep at the Oceania Athletics Championships

Family has always been part of the fabric of athletics across Oceania.

At the Oceania Athletics Championships in Darwin, that connection will again be on full display, with multiple generations, siblings, parents, children and coaches sharing the same stadium across the week.

For many athletes, it is one of the rare opportunities where entire families can compete together at the same championships.

Among the familiar names returning to the Oceania stage is Samoa’s Shaka Sola. A cult figure from the 2005 World Athletics Championships and a long-time presence in the throwing events, Sola won medals across the Oceania region between 2004 and 2013 in the circular throws. In Darwin, he returns to competition in the Masters division while also taking on coaching duties with Team Samoa.

The championships will become a full family affair for the Solas. Daughter Mikayla will compete for Samoa, while wife Bronwen will represent New Zealand in the Masters division.

For Mikayla, sharing the experience together means more than the competition itself.

“Doing it FOR my family is one thing, but doing it WITH my family is something else,” she said.

“Competing for our motherland together is the biggest blessing. He’s my dad first, coach second and now we get to be teammates representing Samoa together.

“Doing it with faith, love and positivity always. I love that we can travel together as a family and do what we love, even with our mama representing Aotearoa. See you soon Darwin. Fa’afetai tele lava.”

The throws events continue the family theme with the Ellison-Lupena family from the Cook Islands. Rochelle Ellison-Lupena will compete in the Masters division, while daughter Ana lines up in the Under 20 competition.

For New Zealand, the Lathwood family will also share the Oceania stage. Samantha Lathwood contests the Open 200m, Jessica Lathwood takes on the Under 18 triple jump and sprint hurdles, while father Ian lines up in the Masters sprint events.

Australian javelin star and reigning Oceania champion Mackenzie Little will also share Arafura Stadium with younger brother Austin, who will contest the men’s 110m hurdles.

For Norfolk Island sprinter Kingston Menzies, family support will be close by throughout the championships, with father Dylan Menzies serving as coach. Dylan is no stranger to Oceania competition himself, having represented Norfolk Island during the early 2000s.

Beyond the athletes on the track, the championships will feature countless family connections across coaches, officials, volunteers and supporters, reflecting the close-knit spirit that continues to define athletics across Oceania.

In Darwin, the championships will once again become more than competition. For many, it is also about sharing the journey with family.

–ENDS–