Bella helping break the mould

Size is no barrier for Narangba’s Bella Sansom. Despite having the build of a runner, she is taking on Australia’s best in two ‘strength’ events.

The 10-year-old will fly to Canberra next month as part of Queensland’s team for the 2025 School Sport Track and Field National Championships.

There, the Year 5 student at Carmichael College, Morayfield, will battle for gold in the technically-demanding shot put and discus.

It’s a big challenge but, despite only taking up the sport two years ago, Bella is already a two-time Little Athletics Queensland champion in both disciplines.

She has also broken club, carnival and regional records and with Deception Bay Little Athletics, won last season’s state 1100m race walk and this season’s 2km.

Bella is part of a growing breed who do not fit the traditional mould of field athletes, relying on technique rather than size and strength.

Mitchell Cooper, the former Australian international discus thrower who coaches at Deception Bay, said: “Bella is an impressive athlete”.

“Not just because of her achievements, but by the efficiency of her throwing, meaning she performs right at the physical limit of her potential.

“Not only does she absorb information fast, she’s able to implement it into her technique very quickly. The speed she can adapt is rare in throwers, especially for her age.”

Mitchell said the nationals will be a new stage for Bella but if she gives it “her all” and has fun will be a “champion to me”.

Bella, who uses the full rotational technique, will enter club carnivals before her November 27-30 trip to the ACT, but admits she “cannot wait for Canberra”.

“I’m so excited to travel and go to nationals for the first time,” she said, “I think there will be some very good throwers and very good competition.

“I will train hard throughout the weeks and believe in myself. I always tell myself I can do it.”

That approach paid off in the State Championships at Townsville, where Bella booked her place on the plane to the nation's capital.

She threw 35.18m - only the second time she had gone beyond 35m in competition – to win by more than five metres.

The 10 Years Girls’ shot put was a nail-biter, with Bella producing a personal best 10.32m on her last throw to move from second to first and take the title by 39cms.

Bella said she felt “confident because I felt ready” for the state titles but was “surprised to win both events” as she had never faced some of her opponents.

“When I won my events I was jumping up and down,” she said, “I was so happy it made me smile so big.

“I ran to my mum and gave her the biggest hug. She had tears because she was so proud of me.”

Bella’s remarkable career started two years ago when she won every event at her school athletics carnival, bringing home eight first ribbons and an age champion medal.

She joined Deception Bay LA and with a knack of picking up technical events quickly, excelled in shot put, discus and the race walk.

While practicing the shot she was spotted by Garth Cooper – who with son Mitchell forms Cooper Throws Academy – and was invited to join his squad.

“I liked the throws events best because I thought it was more fun than running and more exciting,” Bella said, “I also think it’s super fun to spin around and throw things far.”

Bella and her family are grateful to Straightline Facades, Bunneys Demolition and State Member for Bancroft Chris Whiting for their sponsorship support.

However, the search is on for more to help cover the costs of Bella's travel with representative teams.