FAST Kids Shine at Winter Series – Building Toward Nationals
14 September 2025 – Woden Park Athletics Centre
The final Winter Series meet before Nationals gave FAST Running’s youngest athletes the perfect stage to sharpen skills and build confidence for the School Sport Australia 12 & Under Track and Field Championships to be held in Canberra this November.
All six FAST athletes who competed — Anastasia Peters, Nelum Ganesalingam, Thivain Hasvin Ariyadasa, Oliver Cooper, and sisters Tindra & Estrid Helgstedt — have been selected in the ACT Team, and their Woden Park performances showed they’re ready for the national stage.
Anastasia Peters – Sprinting with Confidence
Anastasia continued her consistent improvement, clocking 14.55 s in the 100 m and 30.64 s (wind +3.2 m/s) in the 200 m to claim top-three finishes in both. Her relaxed, efficient sprinting shows the rhythm and poise she’s developed through FAST’s technique focus — a great sign heading into Nationals.
Nelum Ganesalingam – Speed and Spirit
Nelum ran 15.44 s (100 m) and 32.42 s (200 m), demonstrating composure in breezy conditions and reinforcing her steady progress since ACT Champs. Her commitment to training detail continues to pay off as she approaches her first National appearance.
Thivain Hasvin Ariyadasa – All-Rounder on the Rise
Thivain impressed across three disciplines — sprinting 14.70 s (100 m), 30.89 s (200 m), jumping 3.95 m in the Long Jump, and clearing 1.30 m in the High Jump. His versatility highlights the value of developing complete athletes through FAST’s multi-event pathway.
Oliver Cooper – Sprint Strength Emerging
Oliver continued his breakout season, finishing the 100 m in 14.87 s, the 200 m in 31.52 s, and taking victory in the 400 m (1:19.25). He backed that up with a 3.85 m Long Jump, showing impressive consistency across sprints and jumps — the hallmark of an athlete learning to race smart.
Tindra Helgstedt – Discus Dominance and Jump Progress
Tindra again underlined her throwing power with a 22.32 m Discus win, the best throw in her age division, while also leaping 3.93 m in Long Jump — a solid technical performance that reinforces her all-round potential.
Estrid Helgstedt – Power and Promise
Estrid continued to develop her throwing rhythm, producing 12.32 m in Discus for 2nd place and 3.31 m in Long Jump. Her strong competitive spirit and growing consistency across both events reflect FAST’s emphasis on positive learning and confidence-building.
Coach’s Reflection
“These young athletes have trained through winter with purpose and positivity.
Their performances at Woden show that our culture of learning and fun leads directly to improvement,” said FAST Head Coach Steve Dodt.
“They’ve earned their place on Team ACT, and we can’t wait to see them shine when Nationals come to Canberra.”
Next Stop – Nationals
With Nationals just weeks away, FAST Running’s youngest athletes are showing maturity beyond their years. From the sprints to the throws, their results reflect both the depth and diversity of the FAST Kids program — one that continues to prove that a supportive, enjoyable environment is the ultimate foundation for Running Excellence.
Event 1011 100 Metre Sprint AACT Pool 1
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Name Year Team Finals Wind H# Points
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Finals
2 Peters, Anastasia 14 Woden Athletics-AUS 14.55 1.8 6
3 Ganesalingam, Nelum 15 Woden Athletics-AUS 15.44 1.8 6
3 Ariyadasa, Thivain Hasvi 14 Ginninderra Athl-AU 14.70 1.9 5
5 Cooper, Oliver 15 Gungahlin Aths-AUS 14.87 1.9 5
Event 1016 200 Metre Sprint AACT Pool 1
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Name Year Team Finals Wind H# Points
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Finals
3 Peters, Anastasia 14 Woden Athletics-AUS 30.64 3.2 5
4 Ganesalingam, Nelum 15 Woden Athletics-AUS 32.42 3.2 5
2 Ariyadasa, Thivain Hasvi 14 Ginninderra Athl-AU 30.89 1.3 4
3 Cooper, Oliver 15 Gungahlin Aths-AUS 31.52 1.3 4
Event 1017 400 Metre Sprint AACT Pool 1
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Name Year Team Finals H# Points
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1 Cooper, Oliver 15 Gungahlin Aths-AUS 1:19.25 3
Event 2032 Long Jump < 5.00 Metre AACT Pool 2
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Name Year Team Finals Wind Points
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2 Ariyadasa, Thivain Hasvi 14 Ginninderra Athl-AU 3.95m 1.9
3.79m(2.7) 3.95m(1.9) 2.45m(1.2)
3 Cooper, Oliver 15 Gungahlin Aths-AUS 3.85m 3.9
3.72m(1.6) 3.85m(3.9) FOUL(2.8)
1 Helgstedt, Tindra 13 Tuggeranong Lac-AUS 3.93m 2.5
3.02m(0.1) 3.64m(2.7) 3.93m(2.5) 3.77m(0.6) FOUL(1.6)
2 Helgstedt, Estrid 15 Tuggeranong Lac-AUS 3.31m 0.1
3.31m(0.1) 3.19m(0.2) 3.20m(2.7) 3.09m(2.7) 2.60m(0.4)
Event 2017 High Jump 0.90 Start AACT Pool 2
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Name Year Team Finals Points
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2 Ariyadasa, Thivain Hasvi 14 Ginninderra Athl-AU 1.30m
1.00 1.15 1.20 1.25 1.30 1.35
O XO O O XXO XXX
Event 2019 Discus Throw AA Spec 2
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Name Year Team Finals
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Finals
2 Helgstedt, Estrid 15 Tuggeranong Lac-AUS 12.32m
FOUL 12.32m FOUL
1 Helgstedt, Tindra 13 Tuggeranong Lac-AUS 22.32m
22.32m 22.27m FOUL
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