PARA Athletics rising star Layla Sharp (Cranebrook) has been awarded Emerging Athlete of the Month honours for February due to several achievements and records.
Since making her international debut at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in the T38 200m and 400m, Layle has leaped and challenged herself in the new discipline of Long Jump, breaking Australian records in the process.
One of her standout performances came at the ACT Championships, where she rewrote the record books by breaking the 10-year Australian Long Jump record with an outstanding leap of 4.64m.
Her rise in the new discipline has caught everyone’s attention, fittingly recognising her as the Commonwealth Games Australia Emerging Athlete of the Month for February.
Layla described the experience as ‘pretty special and an absolute honour to be given this award’.
It was her recent experience at World Championships in Delhi that set the tone and hunger for more international competitions.
“Representing Australia has been a dream for me since childhood, so to wear the Aussie kit and compete overseas for the first time felt magical,” Layla said.
Despite the sporting aspects of competing at international events, Layla was also keen to highlight the personal connections she was able to make.
“It was amazing to build friendships, and [it] honestly felt like a new world had unlocked.”
“My objective for the season was long jump as a priority, and to nail a spot in the event for the Commonwealth Games.
“Long Jump has been a whirlwind of a journey, I wasn’t really sure where it would lead to but I’m so glad I gave it a shot.”
Having also just begun her first year of university, studying a Business Degree, Layla is quietly looking forward to seeing where that may take her.
“I live life in the moment, so I’ll discover my calling in that respect when it’s the right time.”
Over the course of 2026, an athlete will be recognised each month as the Emerging Athlete of the Month and will receive a $500 contribution towards their training and competition expenses.
Three finalists from the monthly winners will then split a $7,000 cash prize, with the winner receiving $5,000 and the two runners-up $1,000 respectively.
