Alumnus: Matt Walters

Matt Walters trained with FAST until the end of the 2016-17 season. Matt won his first international athletics medal competing for Australia at the 2016 Oceania Melanesian Regional Championships in Suva (FIJI) in the 400mH. Matt was Canberra’s best young talent in the 400m Hurdles at the time and crossed the line in 55.87s. Matt across his athletics career with FAST featured in 4 National and 1 International Final.

Matt received The Pierre de Coubertin Award in 2017 that recognises secondary school students who demonstrate values, which are consistent with the Olympic Movement through participation in sporting activities. More than 15,000 young Australians have received the Award since its inception in 1993 including FAST Alumna Nathalie Cerritelli.

Matt’s all time best performances occurred whilst as member of FAST. He ran Australia’s fastest time in the U18 mens 400m Hurdles in 2016-17 of 54.35s (Ranked Number 1 in Australia), his effort was faster than Olympian Lauren Boden at that time. Matt would go on to finish third in the U20 Men’s 400m Hurdles final at the 2018 National Championships in 54.10s.

Matt competed many times at the National level in many different events including running 22.43s (200m) and 50.71s (400m) at the 2017 Australian Athletics Championships, placing 7th in the 2016 Australian Junior Championships 400mH Final in 56.57s, 11.13s in the U18 100m at the 2016 Australian All Schools Championships, 50.39s in the U18 400m Final (8th) and 56.61s in the U18 400mH Final (8th) at the 2015 Australian All Schools Track & Field Championships, 56.88s in the 400mH Final (6th) at the 2015 Australian Junior Track & Field Championships, 14.61s in the 100mH and 27.92s in the 200mH at the 2014 Australian Junior Track & Field Championships, 53.45s in U16 400m and 14.53s (9th) in U16 100mH at the 2014 Australian All Schools Championships.

Matt was a Club Captain for Ginninderra Athletics. Matt was a Junior Coach with Ginninderra Athletics.

• 2017 Australian Athletics Championships: 200m 22.43s, 400m 50.71s
• 3/2/17 AACT Summer Series: 400m 52.19s
• 2016 Australian All Schools Championships: U18 100m (12th) 11.13s
• 19/11/16 AACT Summer Series: 100m 11.41s
• 29/10/16 AACT Summer Series: 100m 11.19s, 200m 22.57s
• 2016 Oceania Melanesian Regional Championships: 400mH (1st) 55.87s
• 2016 Australian Junior Championships: U18 400mH (7th) 56.57s
• 2016 AACT T&F Championships: 400m (1st) 50.53s
• 2015 Australian All Schools Track & Field Championships: U18 400mH Final (8th) 56.61s, U18 400m Final (8th) 50.39s
• 2015 Australian Junior Track & Field Championships: 400mH Final (6th) 56.88s
• 2014 Australian All Schools Championships: U16 400m 53.45s, U16 100mH (9th) 14.53s
• 2014 Australian Junior Track & Field Championships: 100mH 14.61s, 200mH 27.92s