Kristie Edwards’s ability to hurl herself down a running track at breakneck speed has taken her to some of the world’s most exotic cities to compete in front of packed stadiums; the pursuit of her Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology took her to Cumberland Hospital, a public psychiatric facility based in Sydney’s western suburbs.

The 25-year-old New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship athlete admits she accepted her 10-week (work experience) placement at Cumberland with a sense of trepidation, but by the time the Paris Olympian finished there she’d already started to reconsider her career plans.

“I was really nervous in the lead up to my placement,” said Edwards, who recently sat her final university exam for her Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology. “I wasn’t sure of what to expect, but I loved what I did there. I really enjoyed it.

“I felt as though I not only formed a close relationship with the patients, but I was also helping by just getting them out to do some exercise. For many it was the highlight of their day, so that made it a rewarding experience.

“And I never expected [mental health] to be an area I’d consider a career in. Being an athlete, I always equated a future as an exercise physiologist with high performance sport programs, but I found a tremendous sense of purpose came from working with the general population – especially those with chronic health conditions.

“So, I finished my placement thinking that was an area I could give back, as well as being one where it’d be possible to make a difference to peoples’ lives.”

Edwards, who overseas campaigning to be selected in the Australian women’s 4×100 m team for September’s 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, recalled the positive impact one particular patient’s progress made on her.

“You’d see some of the patients for only an hour a week,” she recalled. “But it was special to see the little changes they made to their daily habits because of what we were doing.

“One woman started going for walks every day, and that helped her overall outlook which, ultimately, aided how she responded to her treatment. By the time my placement finished she was getting ready to be discharged.

“Obviously a huge team works on rehab and treatment – and there’s many multidisciplinary treatments happening at the same time – but it meant a lot for me to think that exercise, which has been an important part of my entire life, helped her and other patients starting a habit which became a routine that ultimately helped her.”

After a breakout Australian 2024/25 season which sealed Edwards’s reputation as one of the nation’s premier sprinters, the Andrew Murphy-coached athlete said the confidence she’d gained from competing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games was crucial to her:

• Celebrating three wins during the domestic Summer Series
• Gaining selection for the Australian team competing at next month’s World University Games in Germany
• Setting Personal Bests of 22.81 (+1.2) for 200m at the national championships and 11.26 (+1.0) for the 100m while competing at the Sydney Track Classic
• Defeating Australia’s fastest woman Torrie Lewis on her way to winning the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne.

Edwards said following her personal motto of ‘Patience and Persistence’ has helped drive her rising stock as an individual sprinter after being considered for many years as one of Australia’s premier female relay runners.

“Sometimes we can get caught up in the idea that we need to be achieving this and that when you’re in your early 20s,” she said. “But I think the transition from a junior to senior athlete can be quite difficult for some people.

“A lot of athletes give the sport away after they finish school, but I haven’t ever had a time in my career when I’ve thought: ‘oh, I’m never going to make it on these teams,’ or ‘I’m just not going to run fast enough’.

“I just trained and showed up. And that was my main takeaway when I made the Olympics. It came together because I just kept doing what I loved doing and kept showing up each day and striving to improve.

“That’s what I attribute to my making the Olympics. It wasn’t like I did anything fancy or that I was a superstar who was beating people or being amazing. I just kept chipping away slowly and I was gradually getting better and better.”

KRISTIE EDWARDS FAST FACTS

• Edwards was surprised when she raced in the under-nine’s NSW Primary School Sport Association’s state 100m final and noticed all of her opponents were wearing spikes. She raced in her joggers and finished in third place.
• Her first coach when she joined Little A’s was Australian Athletics icon, Melinda Gainsford-Taylor.
• Gainsford, a three-time Olympian and world indoor championships gold medallist for the 200m, was such a positive influence on Edwards she considers her ‘a second mum.’
• Edwards’s mother, Katie, coaches NSWIS scholarship holder Mali Lovell, who won the bronze medal for the 200m T36 at last year’s Paralympic Games
• At 13 Edwards won the National All Schools 200m in an impressive time of 24.52.
• Before focussing on athletics, she played netball for Manly Warringah.
• Edwards is a keen gardener and enthusiastic reader of biographies.
• In 2018 she made her debut in the green and gold at the World under 20 Championships.
• In 2021 she moved to Brisbane where she reduced her times to 11.55 (100m) and 23.17 (200m).
•  Edwards competed in two Diamond League meets with Australia’s 4 x 100m relay team, finishing fifth at London and third in Zurich, clocking 43.21 – the seventh fastest time in Australia history.
• Edwards describes her parents for having the biggest influence on her life, and thanks them for all they’ve done to help her.

Daniel Lane, NSWIS

Mazda is putting the spotlight on grit and perseverance with its latest brand film “What drives you?”, launched in tandem with Singapore’s hosting of the World Aquatics Championships 2025.

Done in collaboration with advertising agency 3-Sixty Brand Communications, the 60-second film opens with a voiceover asking, “What drives you to step out of your comfort zone?” before showcasing five TeamSG aquatic athletes excelling in swimming, water polo, artistic swimming, and open water swimming.

As the official automobile partner of the championships, Mazda is powering the event with over 100 vehicles, shuttling athletes, officials, and organisers across venues. The partnership aims to highlight Mazda’s shared values of teamwork, endurance, agility, and relentless pursuit, qualities celebrated both in sport and on the road.

Don’t miss: adidas highlights unsung heroes who inspire us to go the extra mile 

Mazda is also making waves beyond mobility with limited-edition aquatic-themed merchandise available at select championship venues, deepening its connection with the aquatic community.

“Mazda is honored to support a world-class sporting event that embodies passion, discipline, and unity. As we celebrate SG60, we’re reminded of how far we’ve come and the journeys that lie ahead, on the road and in the pool,” said David Chung, general manager, marketing and customer relationship, Trans Eurokars Pte Ltd.

Speaking on the film, Cindy Tay, general manager of 3-Sixty Brand Communications, said, “This film is a tribute to all who rise before dawn, train through fatigue, and perform with grace under pressure. It’s not just a story about athletes, it’s a story about purpose. We’re proud to bring that to life for SG60, Mazda and the world stage.”

Mazda joins a growing list of brands celebrating Singapore’s athletes. Earlier this year, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) partnered with Dentsu Creative Singapore on “Every support counts”, a digital campaign spotlighting the network of support behind Team Singapore.

Anchored by a hero film featuring three national athletes, the campaign highlighted the role of sports science, emotional resilience, and community backing in driving athletic success. Complementary videos also profiled athletes across disciplines, including para sports, underscoring the dedication and infrastructure behind every medal-winning moment.

Meanwhile, UNIQLO had thrown its support behind Singapore’s para athletes as the official clothing partner for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The brand outfitted the Team Singapore delegation, including athletes and officials, with LifeWear apparel designed for comfort, function, and a sleek aesthetic that blends Singaporean identity with the Parisian cityscape.

Related articles:         
PUMA celebrates runner’s high in new ‘Go wild’ brand positioning
Nike reminds the world there’s nothing wrong with wanting to win  
Team SG partners graffiti artist to back local Olympians with Kampong Glam mural 

Independent digital agency Orange Line has landed a significant new client in the US, securing a full-funnel digital strategy mandate with leading health and wellness brand Sports Research.

Based in Los Angeles, Sports Research produces more than 300 premium SKUs across nutritional supplements and workout products. The brand was founded in 1980 and remains family-owned.

The partnership will see Orange Line lead strategy across SEO, CRO, paid media, email, SMS, data, analytics and web development, with a remit to accelerate e-commerce performance in the competitive US wellness market.

“Partnering with Orange Line has been an exceptional experience. They bring stellar organization in their ways of working, clear communication, and a truly enjoyable team dynamic,” Marshall Spellmeyer, UI/UX Designer at Sports Research, said. “Their innovative, forward-thinking strategies consistently adapt to evolving market and technology trends, keeping our brand ahead of the curve.

“Every interaction with Orange Line reflects a commitment to excellence and insight, making collaboration both effective and genuinely fun to partner with such a great team. I’m confident we’ll see rapid success partnering with Orange Line and value their team tremendously.”

David Klein, co-founder at Orange Line, said the win underscores the agency’s growing presence in North America.

“We’re really excited to work alongside Sports Research during this important phase of growth. With our team members based in both Sydney and LA, we’re able to offer seamless, real-time support across time zones,” he said. “Combined with our data-driven approach and strong commercial focus, we’re well-placed to help accelerate their growth and deliver long-term impact.”

The win builds on Orange Line’s expanding US client base and bolsters its positioning as a digitally focused, performance-led agency working across global markets.

Preliminary Round Group Match Reports

Match 9, Group C, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 16 BRAZIL 7 (6-1, 2-0, 4-3, 4-3)

Olympic bronze medallist USA was always going to hard to beat, but Brazil took it up to the more illustrious opponent in this American confrontation. With junior world championship most valuable player Ryder Dodd in sparkling form — gaining player of the match today — USA was assured of an excellent start and this it did with the youngster scoring three of the first four goals before Lucas Farias responded for Brazil. Hannes Daube collected his second from the top left, followed by captain Max Irving from the other side of the pool. Dylan Woodhead snapped in a short cross pass to the right-post position on extra to start the second quarter and USA was 7-1 ahead. Brazil tightened its defence and restricted USA to only one other goal with Irving smashing in a shot from his favoured position on action at 4:22. Brazil made a few shots on target, one hitting the left upright, that had beaten the goalkeeper.

Brazil proved very competitive in the third period with three consecutive goals after USA had advanced the score to 11-1. Irving closed the scoring for a 12-4 margin. Irving scored twice while for Brazil, Farias  claimed his second from the top. Brazilian captain Gustavo Guimaraes buried the second and third shots with the second needing VAR to get across the line. The final quarter was also relatively even with goals traded to 14-6 — Connor Ohl gaining his first goal at this level. USA had a penalty attempt saved and two timeouts for USA realised a penalty goal to Connor Ohl (with his brother playing alongside him and his parents in the stands). Farias landed a third from the top and Jake Ehrhardt converting extra from the deep left for 16-7 at 0:32. Brazil had a timeout and the subsequent shot rebounded off the bar and the last shot saved. It proved to be a 4-3 quarter and an 8-6 half.

Match Heroes
Ryder Dodd and Irving scored four each for USA and Farias three for Brazil. Joao Fernandes made 10 saves in the Brazilian goal.

Turning Point
At 11-1, there was no turning point, although Brazil’s second half was a compliment to its determination.

Stats Don’t Lie
USA rattled in seven of 10 on extra and defended three of four. USA missed one of the two penalty attempts on offer. USA made six steals to two and shot 34 to 26 overall.

Bottom Line
USA has that elusive Olympic bronze and Brazil needs a lot of work to become the best in the Americas.

What They Said

Progress Points

Group A: Serbia 3, Italy 3, Romania 0, South Africa 0.
Group B: Hungary 3, Spain 3, Japan 0, Australia 0.
Group C: United States of America 6, Brazil 3, Canada 0, Singapore 0.
Group D: Croatia 3, Montenegro 3, Greece, China 0.

Day 6 Schedule

Match 17. 09:00. Group C, Canada v Brazil
Match 18. 10:35. Group B, Australia v Japan
Match 19. 12:10. Group D, China v Montenegro
Match 20, 13:45, Group A, Italy v South Africa
Match 21. 16:00. Group A, Serbia v Romania
Match 22. 17:35. Group D, Greece v Croatia
Match 23. 19:10. Group C, Singapore v United States of America
Match 24. 20:45. Group B, Spain v Hungary

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 13, 2025) – The U.S. Girls U19 National Team earned the silver medal at the 2025 Girls U19 World Championship after falling in the final to Bulgaria, 3-1 (21-25, 25-16, 25-17, 29-27) on Sunday in Osijek, Croatia.

The U.S. has medaled in the last four World Championships for the age group. The 2023 World Championship, where the team won gold, was the first one contested as a U19 championship. Previously, FIVB held Worlds as a U18 event, and the U.S. won bronze in 2021 and gold in 2019.

The match was close statistically as the U.S. finished with a one-point advantage in kills (46-45) and blocks (11-10), while Bulgaria served eight aces compared to five for the U.S. The key statistic was Bulgaria committing 14 fewer errors (37-23).

Outside hitter Suli Davis, who was named Best Outside Hitter, led the U.S. in points (17), kills (13), aces (3), digs (16) and successful receptions (4). Libero Lily Hayes finished with 14 digs.

Outside Cari Spears totaled 12 points on 10 kills and two blocks, while middle blocker Jordan Taylor shared match-high honors with four blocks to go with seven kills for 11 points. Henley Anderson was named Best Opposite and had seven points on five kills and two blocks in the final.

The U.S. led the entire first set, jumping out to a 6-1 lead. A Davis kill extended the lead to six, 10-4. Spears and Davis provided back-to-back kills to make it 14-7 and force Bulgaria to use its final timeout. Bulgaria used a late 7-2 run to cut the margin to three points, 23-20, but kills by Anderson and Davis sealed the opening set.

Davis led all players in the with six points on four kills, a block and an ace. Taylor scored five points on three kills and two blocks. The U.S. doubled Bulgaria’s kill total in the set, 14-7.

Bulgaria scored seven consecutive points to break a 7-7 tie and take early control of the second set. The U.S. got no closer than five points. Davis and Spears each scored three points on kills.

Bulgaria never trailed in the third set, using a 5-0 run to take a 7-2 lead. After the U.S. closed the gap to four points, 13-9, Bulgaria scored the next seven points. Davis scored three points.

The U.S. fell behind 7-4 in the fourth set before using a 5-2 run to even the score at nine apiece on Kelly Kinney kill off hands. A Davis ace and a Taylor block gave the U.S. a three-point lead 13-10 but Bulgaria went on a 10-1 run. The U.S. responded with its own 10-3 run to earn set point on a block by Taylor.

Each team had two set points before Bulgaria converted on its third set point with a block to capture the gold medal. Davis scored five points on three kills and two aces, middle blocker Abbey Emch made some big plays in big moments to finish with four points on three kills and a block, and Spears also contributed three kills and a block.

2025 U19 National Team Roster for World Championship

(Name, Pos., Birth Year, Height, Hometown, School, Region)
3 Jordan Taylor (MB, 6-5, 2007, Houston, Texas, University of Minnesota, Lone Star)
5 Lily Hayes (L, 5-9, 2007, Tampa, Fla., Berkeley Prep HS, Florida)
6 Suli Davis (OH, 6-1, 2007, Euless, Texas, Brigham Young University, North Texas)
8 Abbey Emch (MB, 6-3, 2007, New Waterford, Ohio, University of Pittsburgh, Ohio Valley)
10 Isabelle Hoppe (S, 5-8, 2008, Gibsonia, Pa., Pine Richland HS, Ohio Valley)
11 Kelly Kinney (OH/OPP, 6-2, 2007, West Palm Beach, Fla., The Kings Academy, Florida)
12 Genevieve Harris (S, 5-11, 2007, Raleigh, N.C, Cardinal Gibbons HS, Carolina)
13 Gabrielle Nichols (MB, 6-3, 2007, Winston Salem, N.C., Penn State University, Carolina)
16 Cari Spears (OH, 6-3, 2007, Dallas, Texas, University of Texas, North Texas)
17 Lameen Mambu (OH, 6-0, 2007, Chantilly, Va., Georgia Tech, Chesapeake)
19 Henley Anderson (OPP/OH, 6-3, 2007, Dripping Springs, Texas, Dripping Springs HS, Lone Star)
20 Devyn Wiest (OH, 6-3, 2007, Peoria, Ariz., University of Utah, Arizona)

Alternates
1 Izzy Mogridge (S, 5-11, 2007, Lutz, Fla., Berkeley Prep HS, Florida)
2 Charlotte Vinson (OPP, 6-2, 2007, Muncie, Ind., Yorktown HS, Hoosier)
4 Kalyssa Blackshear (MB/OPP, 6-4, 2007, Torrance, Calif., University of Louisville, Southern California)
7 Ayanna Watson (OH/OPP, 6-3, 2007, Henderson, Nev., Bishop Gorman HS, Southern California)
9 Natalie Wardlow (MB/OPP, 6-5, 2007, Lincoln, Neb., Lincoln Southeast HS, Great Plains)
15 Logan Bell (L, 5-11, 2007, Beech Grove, Ind., Roncalli HS, Hoosier)
18 Aniya Warren (L, 5-8, 2007, Lockport, Ill., Benet Academy, Great Lakes)

Coaches
Head Coach: Keegan Cook (Minnesota)
Assistant Coach: Alyssa D’Errico (Utah)
Assistant Coach: April Sanchez (New Mexico)
Performance Analyst: Jon Wong (Florida State)
ATC: Cherryl Bueno (Coast to Coast AthletiCare)
Team Lead: Courtney Smith (NTDP)

2025 FIVB Girls U19 World Championship Schedule
July 2: USA def. Spain, 3-1 (22-25, 25-16, 25-12, 25-23)
July 3: USA def. Peru, 3-0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-18)
July 4: Poland def. USA, 3-2 (25-23, 23-25, 25-17, 25-27, 16-14)
July 6: Bulgaria def. USA, 3-2 (25-15, 16-25, 27-25, 13-25, 15-5)
July 7: USA def. Türkiye, 3-1 (25-19, 20-25, 25-22, 25-23)
July 8: Round of 16: USA def. Germany, 3-2 (25-18, 26-28, 17-25, 25-15, 15-13)
July 11: Quarterfinals, USA def. Italy, 3-2 (31-29, 23-25, 20-25, 30-28, 15-8)
July 12: Semifinals, 12:15 p.m.: USA def. Poland, 3-0 (25-14, 25-18, 25-19)
July 13: Final: Bulgaria def. USA, 3-1 (21-25, 25-16, 25-17, 29-27)