Sport
7 April, 2026
Blievers selected for international athletics tour
Local Jay Blievers’ rapid ascent up the junior cross-country ranks has reached a major milestone, set to change kilometers to miles this September for an international athletics tour of the United States.
Alongside her participation at the Maryborough Little Athletics Centre over the past two seasons, recently finishing eighth in the under 15 girls 1500 m at the Victorian State Track and Field Championships, Blievers has also been a standout cross country runner, currently holding a 3000 m personal best of 12:21.
Representing the Maryborough Education Centre, Blievers qualified for the School Sport Victoria Cross Country Championships last July after finishing fourth in the 14 girls 3000 m at the Loddon Mallee Region Cross Country event.
Racing on the grassy hills at the Yarra Valley Racecourse, the Avoca local impressed among the state’s elite, finishing just outside the national qualification spots in 18th.
However, that performance earned Blievers a selection to Sports Travel Australia’s cross country tour of the United States, which came as a major shock to Blievers and her family.
“I had no idea that I was actually able to get from state cross country to that. I knew you could get to nationals. That was top 10 and I missed out on that. So I was just happy with getting to state,” she said.
“About a month ago, my mum texted me at school saying I can’t wait for you to get home. I hate when people tell me there’s a surprise.
“I was flicking through the mail and it says USA cross country tour and I’m like, what? I open it and it says you’ve been invited and there were a bit of tears, a bit of excitement and calling a lot of friends.
“Mum was great, she was straight on board, saying we’ll get the money and get you there.”
The upcoming tour gathers some of Australia’s most promising cross country athletes to experience international coaching and competition.
Blievers said she’s excited to make the most of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“If there was any part of my mind doubting if running’s really for me, this has definitely made me want to stick with it,” she said.
“I wake up in the morning and sometimes I really don’t want to train, but it’s like, you're going to America, come on.
“I’m over there for two weeks, between September and October. I’m doing three or four days of competition with some training days with other coaches and some sightseeing to Disneyland and the Grand Canyon.
“I hope to meet some coaches, because I know that we’ve got a group of coaches that will be with us.
“I’m hoping to make some lifelong friends with the people that I go over there with and just travelling overseas for the first time, but not doing it for a holiday, doing it to compete.”
Alongside her long-term aspirations of competing at the Brisbane Olympics in 2032, Blievers said her internal fire to improve keeps her energised during her countless hours of training and preparation.
“I love the idea of just beating my personal bests. They are really important to me and I think it’s because I have control over that.
“Just doing better, getting faster, watching the number get lower. It’s pretty motivating for me.”