High-performance program honours for Estlick sisters

SISTERS Mackenzie and Myah Estlick are ready to take the next step in their respective athletics careers.

The Bacchus Marsh siblings have been selected in respective high-performance squads ahead of the 2026–27 track and field season.

Their selections are recognition of the hard work, dedication and commitment both athletes have shown throughout their athletics journeys and come as Mackenzie continues the countdown to her Australian team debut at the 2026 World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, next month.

Younger sister Myah was selected as a participant in the Athletics Victoria Futures Academy Program.

The development program identifies and supports Victoria’s promising young athletes aged 15 to 19, who have demonstrated national level potential.

It focuses on developing high-performance sport literacy, building strong performance habits and behaviours, and educating athletes on long-term athletic development.

Sprint-ace Mackenzie was selected in the Australian Athletics Pathway Transition Program for Relays for athletes who have demonstrated the potential to achieve Athletics Australia’s high-performance goals.

Athletes receive access to performance support services, sports science and medicine, wellbeing programs, national camps, planning assistance and a range of development opportunities.

The program aims to bridge the gap between successful junior performances and future senior international success, with a focus on under-20 athletes.

Mackenzie viewed her selection in the Australian Athletics Pathway Transition Program for Relays as “an incredible opportunity”.

“It means AA and the NASS selection committee have seen potential in me to develop as a senior athlete,” she said.

“This program sets junior athletes up to transition into senior athletics so they are on the correct pathway for the Olympics, Comm Games, World Championships etcetera.

“It is very involved. My coach (Gerrard Keating) and I have both completed an athlete and coach profile survey.

“From this data, a report is generated with my gap-to-podium analysis and actions which will be discussed in a one-on-one performance planning meeting when I return from America.

“We will also be required to attend various training camps throughout the year where we can work with our squad and develop our skills as a relay team.”

Her involvement will give Mackenzie access to a range of expert support services such as medical/physiotherapy, sport psychology, nutrition, exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, athlete wellbeing and engagement, biomechanics and learning design.

As part of her preparation for the worlds, she spent part of last month on the Gold Coast at a national team training camp, an experience she described as “fantastic”, despite the one setback.

“I was actually sick during the camp and had lost my voice, which made it difficult to train,” Mackenzie said.

“But everyone was very supportive.

“It was such a great team atmosphere.

“Around 70-plus athletes attended.

“It was great getting to know them all before we head off to America and learn about their events and experiences.”

Due to fly out to Los Angeles on 26 July, the anticipation and excitement are growing by the day for Mackenzie.

Still, she is determined to stay as grounded as possible from her base in Ballarat, where she is studying year 12 at the local SEDA College.

“I’ve started packing and am pretty organised,” she said.

“My training routine hasn’t changed too much in the lead-up to America.

 

“I train four days a week and go to the gym twice a week.

“We have been focusing more on my three-point starts for relay changeovers and my baton change.

“Training in the Ballarat climate has its challenges and is definitely not for the faint-hearted.

“I’m so excited to get over there.

“I’ve never been to America before. I can’t wait to see what it’s all about.”

Estlick is one of eight athletes vying for a spot in the 4x100m relay team in the USA.

Ballarat’s Grace Crowe, who won silver in the 100m at the national under-20 championships in April, is also a relay team member.

Something else to keep Mackenzie, who turned 18 last month, occupied in the meantime is the fact that she was successful recently in getting her driver’s licence.

The world under-20 championships will be like nothing she has ever experienced before.

“I think the average crowds for this meet are around 48,000, which is huge,” Mackenzie said.

“Definitely a different atmosphere to the meets in Australia.

“We get to stay in the student dorms at the Eugene University so that will be an amazing experience.”

Myah, who qualified for her first Australian Junior Athletics Championships in long jump and triple jump, said she would aim to use her time in the Athletics Victoria Futures Academy Program to develop her skills in the horizontal jumps.

“It’s very exciting to be considered as someone with national level potential,” she said.

“I had an incredible season during ’25–’26.

“I got lots of new records at my club and lots of PBs and it was the first time I’d ever qualified for nationals.

“I’d have to say nationals in Brisbane was the highlight, especially because it wasn’t on my radar.

“It was an amazing experience.”

Myah is keeping herself fit over the winter participating in cross country, while also playing netball and competing in horse events.

The 15-year-old will have some clear ambitions when the start of the new track and field season rolls around in October.

“My goal is to make the national all-schools athletics championships as well as the Australian Championships,” she said.