Alesha Bennetts
Australian Track and Field Athlete
Alesha Bennetts is a rising star in Australian track and field, specializing in the 400-meter hurdles and 400-meter sprint. Originally from Mudgee, New South Wales, Alesha has established herself as one of Australia’s most promising young athletes through her exceptional performances at national and international competitions. She currently trains at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra under the guidance of renowned coach Matt Beckenham.
Track and Field Accomplishments
International Competition
Alesha’s most significant international achievement came in 2024 when she was selected to represent Australia at the World U20 Athletics Championships in Lima, Peru. This marked her first time competing internationally for the green and gold, representing Australia on one of the sport’s biggest junior stages. Competing in the 400-meter hurdles, Alesha was part of a 68-member Australian team that achieved the nation’s best-ever result at the championships, with the team finishing seventh on the medal table with 14 total medals.
In 2025, Alesha continued her international career by being selected for the Australian UniRoos athletics team competing at the FISU World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany. She was one of 66 student-athletes chosen for what became the largest athletics team Australia had ever sent to a World University Games, competing in the 400-meter hurdles for her country.
In 2022, Alesha claimed two gold medals at the Oceania Athletics Championships in Mackay, Queensland, winning both the 400-meter hurdles and the 4×400-meter hurdles relay. These victories were among the highlights of a stellar season that earned her the prestigious 2022 Western Region Academy of Sport (WRAS) Athlete of the Year award.
National Success
Alesha has consistently performed at the highest levels of Australian athletics. In 2022, at the Australian Junior Championships, she captured gold in both the 400-meter hurdles and the 400-meter sprint, earning selection to represent NSW at the National Athletics Championships where she successfully defended both titles with gold medal performances.
At the 2023 Australian Championships, competing in the U18 division at just 16 years old, Alesha achieved a breakthrough double victory. She won the Australian U18 400-meter hurdles title in 60.67 seconds—a massive three-second personal best that qualified her for the World U20 Championships—in only her fifth career 400-meter hurdles race. The day before, she had claimed the U18 400-meter title in another enormous personal best of 54.83 seconds, also achieving the World U20 Championships qualifying standard despite very windy conditions.
At the 2024 Australian All Schools Championships, Alesha won gold in the U18 women’s 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:00.68, holding strong in the home straight to clear all ten hurdles and fend off determined challengers.
In 2023, Alesha won the NSW Junior Championships 400-meter title in 56.78 seconds while also placing fifth in the 200 meters and fourth in the 100 meters, demonstrating her versatility across sprint distances.
Personal Bests and Rankings
As of 2025, Alesha’s personal bests include:
- 400-meter Hurdles: 56.67 seconds (March 2025)
- 400 meters: 53.56 seconds (March 2023)
- 300 meters: 38.00 seconds (March 2025)
- 4×400-meter Relay: 3:38.35 (May 2023)
- 4×400-meter Mixed Relay: 3:22.79 (May 2023)
Her 400-meter hurdles personal best of 56.67, set at the Sydney Track Classic in March 2025, represented a remarkable 1.13-second improvement from her previous best. She currently holds the #94 world ranking in women’s 400-meter hurdles.
Early Career and Development
Alesha’s athletics journey began at age five through Mudgee Little Athletics, progressing from the Tiny Tots program through U17 competition. In 2018, at age 13, she won two silver medals at the Australian Little Athletics Championships on the Gold Coast—in the 200 meters and the 4×100-meter relay. At that young age, she was already running impressive times of 12.33 in the 100 meters, 24.72 in the 200 meters, and 56.47 in the 400 meters.
In 2019, Alesha captured silver in the U16 girls’ 400-meter sprint at the National All Schools Championships in Perth, achieving a personal best despite it being her first time competing at this high school equivalent to nationals. She later competed at both the NSW Junior Championships and Australian Junior Championships in early 2020.
Throughout her youth career, Alesha consistently medaled at regional and state competitions, including multiple gold medals at the Regional Little Athletics Championships and strong performances at NSW Country Championships and NSW State carnivals.
Training and Coaching
At age 16, Alesha made the life-changing decision to leave her hometown of Mudgee and relocate to Canberra to train full-time at the Australian Institute of Sport. She lived with extended family members—her uncle and cousin—during Years 11 and 12 while attending Daramalan College for her senior secondary education.
Alesha trains under the expert guidance of coach Matt Beckenham, training alongside Olympic athletes including Lauren Boden. Prior to joining Beckenham’s program, Alesha had been coached by Beckenham via correspondence for five years while still living in Mudgee. Her transition to in-person coaching coincided with her emergence as a national-level athlete.
During her years with the Western Region Academy of Sport (WRAS), Alesha developed as a “lone star” athlete—someone training in a regional area without a large local athletics program. She particularly valued meeting and training with other lone star athletes through the WRAS program.
Her early coaching in Mudgee included working with coach Justine and the Mudgee Little Athletics training crew, who helped establish the foundation of her athletic career.
Education
Alesha is currently in her second year pursuing a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at the University of Canberra, balancing her demanding academic coursework with elite athletic training and competition. Her interest in physiotherapy likely stems from her own experiences navigating injuries and understanding the crucial role of physical health in athletic performance.
She completed her senior secondary education (Years 11 and 12) at Daramalan College in Canberra after relocating from Mudgee to pursue athletics full-time at the AIS.
Overcoming Adversity
Alesha’s athletic journey has been marked by remarkable resilience in the face of significant health challenges. At age 14, she was diagnosed with epilepsy after a traumatic incident where she had a seizure in a pool and nearly drowned. Three girls pulled her from the water, and she was taken to Dubbo Hospital for treatment. Following her diagnosis, Alesha was seizure-free for three years.
However, during her final year of high school (Year 12), Alesha experienced three seizures within a three-week period. Two of these seizures resulted in concussions, preventing her from driving and forcing her to miss her final exams. The seizures also set her athletics training back by six months or more, presenting a significant obstacle to her competitive career.
At the end of 2023, Alesha’s epilepsy became uncontrolled again, causing several seizures and concussions that resulted in a delayed start to her 2024 season. Despite these setbacks, she has continued to compete at the highest levels, demonstrating extraordinary mental toughness and determination.
Throughout her career, Alesha has also dealt with various injuries that temporarily sidelined her training and competition. In 2022, she was competing in her first competitions back after recovering from a previous injury. Her ability to return from these setbacks stronger than before speaks to her character and commitment to the sport.
Career Aspirations and Goals
Alesha has set her sights on competing for Australia at the highest international levels. Her ultimate goals include representing Australia at a Commonwealth Games and an Olympic Games. She plans to continue competing in athletics for many years, with aspirations to reach her absolute peak performance level and compete internationally for Australia as many times as possible.
The 2025 World University Games served as an important stepping stone toward these larger goals, providing valuable international competition experience as she works toward qualifying for senior global championships.
Personal Interests and Character
Beyond the track, Alesha demonstrates a strong work ethic and commitment to self-sufficiency. To fund her athletic pursuits—including travel to the 2025 World University Games, which athletes must finance themselves—Alesha works multiple jobs while managing her university studies and full-time training schedule. She works as a tour guide at the AIS, typically conducting about four tours per week, and also works reception shifts at the AIS Aquatic Centre.
Alesha acknowledges that there isn’t much money in athletics, noting that almost all athletes maintain separate employment to support their athletic careers. Her ability to juggle work, study, and elite sport demonstrates exceptional time management skills and dedication.
Despite the pressures of elite competition, Alesha maintains a grounded perspective. She is known for her positive mindset, strong mental focus during races, and ability to stay calm under pressure. She approaches competitions with clear goals, typically focusing on achieving personal bests rather than being overly concerned about podium positions—though she has frequently exceeded her own expectations by earning medals.
Alesha is deeply grateful for the support she has received throughout her journey, from her family who supported her move to Canberra at such a young age, to her coaches, teammates, and the Mudgee community that has cheered her on since her Little Athletics days. She makes a point of thanking those who have invested time and energy into supporting her athletic career.
Her training partner environment at the AIS, where she works alongside Olympians and other elite athletes, provides daily inspiration and pushes her to higher levels of performance. Training alongside athletes like Lauren Boden, competing in the 400-meter hurdles, has accelerated her development and exposed her to world-class training methods.
Future Outlook
With personal bests that continue to improve year after year, Alesha Bennetts is positioned as one of Australia’s brightest hopes in the 400-meter hurdles. Her combination of natural speed, technical proficiency, mental resilience in overcoming health challenges, and unwavering determination makes her a formidable competitor with significant room for continued improvement.
As she gains more international experience and continues her physiotherapy studies, Alesha represents the next generation of Australian track and field athletes aiming to make their mark on the world stage. Her journey from a small regional town to the Australian Institute of Sport, and from Little Athletics to international representation, embodies the dedication and sacrifice required to compete at the highest levels of track and field.
Having already qualified for World U20 Championships and World University Games, Alesha has demonstrated she belongs among Australia’s elite young athletes. With her eyes set on Commonwealth and Olympic Games in the years ahead, she continues to train, compete, and push the boundaries of her capabilities while inspiring other young athletes from regional Australia to pursue their athletic dreams.
Go Alesha!
