Brooke Stratton

Details

Category: Track & Field

How did you become involved in your sport and what events do you compete in?

My older brother started at the age of 5 years old and each week i would go along to watch him compete. I use to sit there and watch each week wishing i was old enough to be doing it myself. When i reached 5 years old i joined the Nunnawading little athletics club purely because i enjoyed watching it and knew i would have lots of fun. I generally compete in long jump, triple jump and 100mh.

Who is your sporting hero?

Cathy Freeman, Bronwyn Thompson

Age you started in your sport?

U/6

Height, weight, age?

165cm, 54kg, 18

Accreditations/degrees/qualifications?

Graduated from Caulfield Grammar School in 2011

What motivates you to continue in your sport?

The goals i have set are what motivate me to continue to train hard and achieve as much success as i possibly can.

What motivated you to start your sport?

Watching the Olympic games/ Commonwealth games on the television as a child was something that really motivated and encouraged me to give the sport a go.

What is your current business/job?

Athlete

Who do you race for club/state and what is your competitive history?

I have previously competed for the Knox Athletics Club. This season i have moved to the Nunnawading Athletics Club. I also hold a Victorian Institute of Sport scholarship which requires me to compete for them throughout the Australian Athletic tour events.

People that have inspired you both in sport and life?

My parents are probably the most inspirational people in my life. They are such great role models to me, they are extremely supportive and have always given me the opportunities to help achieve my goals.

Great experiences that have happened in your life?

Qualifying to compete for Australia at the World Youth Championships in 2009, World Junior Championships in 2010 and the Mannheim Junior Gala in 2011. These past experiences have shaped me as an athlete and each have been a stepping- stone towards hopefully achieving my goals of meddling at this years World Junior championships and making a senior International team within the next couple of years.

Your interests and hobbies?

I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, travelling and photography.

One tip or quote that continues to inspire you?

"To be number one, you have to train like you're number two" -Maurice Green

Family Background(where did you grow up) and Current Family

I grew up in a suburb east of Melbourne, where my siblings and i all had the chance to get involved in many different sports from a young age. I am apart of a family of 6 and i am the second eldest child. We have always been a very close and supportive family and our interests are very similar. My parents were both very athletic and participated at quite a high level in there chosen sports. My siblings have all competed at a junior National level with their athletics.

What is your happiest memory?

My happiest memory in athletics so far would have to be jumping my current PB of 6.60m in Mannheim, Germany in july last year. This was a competition i went into very confident as i knew i was jumping well at the time, and i was competing against the u20 world leader, but to jump 6.60m and win the competition was WAY beyond my expectation. I guess that was what made the competition such a memorable and special one for me. I will never forget walking out of the sand- pit, hearing the distance i had just jumped and then completely balling my eyes out. Happy tears though!!

Who did you idolize growing up?

Growing up i was completely inspired by Cathy Freeman. As a child i would always tell people i wanted to be just like her. It wasn't until she retired that i began to idolize Bronwyn Thompson. Being a long jumper, she was one of the athletes i really looked up to and i aspire to follow in her foot steps.

Were you always one of the better athletes growing up?

I started athletics in under 6 and broke a few center records in my first couple of years in Little Athletics. In Under 9 i competed in my first state championships for Little athletics where i won the long jump and got a bronze in the 70m. The following year i won the long jump and broke the state record with a jump of 4.51m. I also represented my state at the Australian primary school championships in Darwin where i won the long jump and multi- event. At that stage i had realised i had natural talent so i began to start some training. Growing up i won many state and national medals, broke records but the most important thing to me and my Dad (coach) has been to stay in the sport for the long term and keep enjoying what i do.

What is one thing you would share with the children wanting to follow in your footsteps?

I think the most important thing to pass on is to be true to yourself. Don't take the easy way out of things, challenge yourself and believe in your ability. If you believe in yourself and put in all the hard work, success will come to you.

How has being involved/playing your sport changed your life?

Being involved in sport has completely changed my life. As a child i had always wanted to represent my country and luckily i have been fortunate enough to be able to do this several times. I am living the life i have always dreamed of living at the moment, representing my country at the highest level as a junior. The sport has brought me so many amazing experiences, given me the opportunity to form many close friendships and create so many fantastic memories.

Who has been your biggest supporter?

My parents have never really missed a beat with my athletics. Having my dad as my coach means he is at almost every competition supporting and helping me out. My siblings generally follow along to support aswell which i appreciate alot.

Who has been your best coach?

I have never really had any other long jump coaches apart from my Dad (Russell) who has been my coach from the day i started training. He has learnt so much along the way and what i love about him is that he is willing to learn as much as he can as we progress. I have been fortunate enough to be helped out along the way by Nicole Boegman Stewart, Alex Stewart, Craig Hilliard, Grant Sargeant and John Boas to name a few.

Sporting Background(sports you grew up playing) and list of achievements/results?

Apart from athletics i grew up playing basketball and did swimming for a little while. It wasn't until i made my first Australian team that i had to give up participating in these sports. 

Favourite Foods/Diet you follow?

Balanced diet. I love tortellini bolognese.

Your typical training split and favourite thing to train?

I love a hard plyometric session once a week.

Worst injury you have suffered?

I have never really had a serious injury. I have had a couple of little niggles but nothing serious.

What is the ultimate prize in your sport?

Winning an Olympic/ World Championship gold medal.

What do you find to be the toughest aspect of your sport?

Although athletics is an individual sport, sometimes it can appear to be a lonely sport. Although you are surrounded by great people, you have to make your own choices and those are what can make or break you as an athlete.

What is your favourite movie?

Coach Carter

What one lesson did you take from your parents?

My parents always encouraged me to make the most of all the opportunities i was given. They taught me to always put in 100% effort with everything i do as well as thinking before making decisions/choices.

How do you deal with temptation?

I try to avoid the things that would be classified as temptations and reward myself with them after a successful competition or if have achieved something i set my mind to achieving.

What is your favourite music/band/song?

I dont really have a favourite band or song, i usually just listen to the songs that are at the top of the charts.

What is your biggest fear?

Death

Do you believe "never giving up" is the difference between making it and not making it in any sport?

Personally, I believe that is the attitude you need to be successful in sport, although sometimes giving up the sport for a long term/ short term break can be beneficial for some people when they come back and start fresh.

Have you ever failed at anything? If yes how did you overcome this?

I wouldnt say failed, i would more so say failed to satisfy myself with an average result. I have learnt to take the positives out of a bad competition and not focus on all the negative aspects. The ups and downs of sports are what i now see as great learning experiences.

What inspired you to succeed?

The desire to be the best i can be, achieve the goals i set and grow as an athlete and person.

What did you want to be as a kid growing up?

I wanted to be an 'Olympian' or physiotherapist.

Your future goals in your sports, and goals when you finish your sport?

Medal at the 2012 World Junior championships, Make the 2013 World Championships team, 2014 Commonwealth Games team, 2015 World Championships team, 2016 Olympic Games in 2016 etc. Also just to keep slowly progressing with my distances. When i finish my sport have a family and live a happy life.

If you could have dinner with 5 people who would they be?

Cathy Freeman, Channing tatum, Usain bolt,

What is one item you cannot live without?

iPhone

People you would like to thank?(Sponsors, Coaches, Family or Friends)

Victorian Institute of sport, Athletics Australia/ Athletics Victoria, My Coach/ Dad Russell and my family and friends for always being there to support me.

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