Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School (IGGS) student Charlize Goody works hard to balance her sporting success with academic excellence.
The Year 11 student compete in five events at the Queensland Athletics Championships and came away with five medals. She was awarded first in Javelin, Discus and Shotput, second in Hammer and third in 100m hurdles. In December, she will travel to Adelaide to compete in the four throw events.
Earlier this year, Charlize competed in the Pacific Mini Games in Saipan, coming first in the discus. She also competed in the Australian North Queensland Championships, where she scored nine medals, including three gold, five silver and a bronze, and set a new NQ record in the U18 Shotput. This year, Charlize also broke the Met West record for Javelin.
Charlize, who is the IGGS Athletics Captain, said she felt proud when her win in Saipan was announced. “I was excited, and so happy that all of my hard work and effort had paid off,” she said. “I had a great lead up to the event, with three throws training sessions a week and three gym nights,” Charlize said.
“I enjoy the competitive aspect of events, as well as the atmosphere. Everyone is always so nice, and everyone is supporting you even though you are competitors, which helps me to relax.”
As well as athletics, Charlize competes in many school QGSSSA teams, including Rhythmic Gymnastics and Badminton. Though she is Year 11, Charlize was the Athletics Captain, a position usually held by a Year 12 student. In 2023, Charlize will continue her leadership journey as an IGGS Prefect.
Charlize has also excelled academically this year. At the IGGS Speech Night, she won Academic Honours, placing her in the top five academic performers in Year 11 at IGGS. Additionally, she was named Age Champion Athletics 16 Years, Age Champion Swimming 16 Years, and received the Chalmers Memorial Prize for Athletics and the Sylvia Dixon Prize for All-Round Proficiency in Sport.
“Yes, sometimes it can be hard to fit everything in,” Charlize said. “I just make sure I stay focused though, and put my best effort into everything I do. If I am studying or doing an assignment, I put the same concentration and drive to improve into that as I would a throws coaching session or strength training.”
“I am well supported by all of the staff at IGGS to reach my sporting goals. I do miss school sometimes to attend competitions, but I always make sure I have a plan in place to ensure my school work is completed and submitted to a high standard.”
After high school, Charlize said she will look to extend her sporting career.
“I plan on continuing to compete after high school, and will hopefully make the Commonwealth Games and Olympic teams for discus.”
Director of Sport at IGGS, Romy Wolf, said Charlize is a very talented athlete. “Charlize’s achievements in the athletics arena have been outstanding and wonderful to follow,” Ms Wolf said. “She is dedicated, hardworking, enthusiastic and gives her very best effort in her schoolwork, athletics as well as the many other sports she participates in. I look forward to following her athletics pursuits now and into the future.”
