Toby builds list of achievements

Toby Camilleri has always been into athletics. From a young age, he began his journey on the running track before getting more involved with the throwing events out on the field.

“I started off as a sprinter when I was really young and then I slowly moved onto the throwing events like discus and shot put,” Toby told the Weekender

“I won my first State medal in discus in the U9’s before picking up javelin. You aren’t allowed to do javelin until you’re older but, as soon as I started throwing jav, I fell in love with it, and it’s been javelin ever since.”

The Year 11 St Dominic’s College student has been dominating javelin competitions for many years, winning countless medals along the way.

In February, the Cranebrook Little Athletics Centre member took home gold and recorded a new personal best time of 60.85m at the NSW U20/U18 Championships at Sydney Olympic Park.

While competing at the same venue at the State Track and Field Championships in March, Toby won gold in the U17 javelin event with a throw of 58.20m.

As a result, the 17-year-old from Berkshire Park qualified second for Nationals and competed at the Australian Track and Field Championships in Brisbane in April.

There, Toby was up against some of the best young javelin stars from around the country, finishing fourth overall with a throw of 59.24m.

While Toby failed to medal on this occasion, it wasn’t the first time he has represented NSW on the national stage.

“I’ve competed at the Australian Track and Field Championship three times now and I’ve competed at All Schools Nationals three times,” Toby said prior to the competition.

“I’ve medalled four times out of six.”

Toby’s efforts over the past few months have officially been recognised, named the latest recipient of the Penrith Valley Sports Foundation Senior Sports Star Award.

Proving that talent runs in the family, his younger sister Jemma was the Junior Sports Star last month, also for efforts in javelin.

With the athletics off-season in full swing, Toby will spend the next few months working on his craft with his coach before everything kicks off again later this year.

He’s determined to keep improving and doing his family proud.

Toby Camilleri’s Senior Sports Star Award is all thanks to sponsor Penrith Panthers Leagues Club.

If you or someone who you know who has achieved in their chosen sport, send in your nomination to Penrith Valley Sports Foundation.

Nomination forms are available at www. pvsf.org.au.