The remarkable achievements of Julie Charlton

03 November 2016

Julie Charlton is an outstanding young wheelchair athlete from Dural NSW.

BRI Ferrier is proud to have sponsored Julie through John Brown’s Sport & Tourism Youth Foundation (formerly the John Brown Foundation) for the past three years.

Recently we heard from Julie’s mum, Jane, who told us that Julie has been “NON stop!” in the past few months.

In June and July, Julie travelled to Prague, Czech Republic, to compete in the IWAS (International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Association) Under 23 World Games.

While there, she became the World Champion seated javelin thrower, establishing a new Australian record in the process. She also won a Silver Medal in the discus event and a Bronze Medal in the shot put.

According to Jane, IWAS is a large international association formed to “fill the gap” for para-athletes who don’t have many competitions to participate in between school and the Paralympic Games. It gives them invaluable international experience.

“It really does its job,” said Jane. “Julie was the only Australian entrant in 150 competitors from 50 nations. This was a small competition by the usual standards.”

Julie was enthralled meeting her international peers and making many new friends.

“The competition was run to the highest of standards and, like in any World Games event, our hearts swelled as they played our National Anthem and raised the Australian flag for Julie's Gold Medal.”

Following her return to Australia, Julie has since become the NSW Champion in 100, 200 and 800 metre wheelchair races for girls aged 16-19 years (school sport) and the NSW Champion in the seated shot put and discus for girls aged 16-19 years. 

In December, she is off to the National Schools Championships in Canberra. And she hopes to qualify for the first IPC Athletics Junior World Championships in Switzerland in 2017.

Julie is certainly someone to look out for in the Paralympic Games of the future.