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When Lianna first laced up her sneakers for Kurrajong Little Athletics at just eight years old, no one could have predicted how far those early Sunday mornings would take her. Back then, athletics was just a fun way to burn energy — a sideline to her true sporting passion: baseball.
Baseball was where she truly shined. Pitching fastballs and holding her own in Division 1 boys’ teams, Lianna wasn’t just breaking barriers — she was rewriting what was possible. By the time she was 11, she had already made history as the first Australian girl to represent her country at the Junior Little League World Series, a landmark achievement that turned heads across the sporting world.
But just as impressive as her baseball career was the path she carved in athletics — starting, of all things, with a “fun event.” When javelin throwing became an option at age 11, it was meant to be a break from her intense baseball schedule. Instead, it became the launching point for something extraordinary.
From that first throw, Lianna was unstoppable. She broke every javelin record from club to state and even set multiple national records. She never lost a javelin event during her entire Little A’s career — a statistic as rare as it is astounding.
With few specialist coaches in the Hawkesbury region, Lianna and her family made sacrifices most wouldn’t even consider. Many weekends were spent travelling to Wollongong to train with javelin great Peter Lawler, and later to Hornsby under current Australian coach Angus MacEntyre. Hours on the road, countless early mornings, and relentless dedication paid off when, in 2021, Lianna secured a Division 1 athletics scholarship to Texas A&M University in the USA.
Over the next three years, she competed in NCAA Nationals every season — finishing second in the nation twice and cementing herself among the elite of collegiate javelin. After some coaching changes, she made the difficult decision to transfer, taking up a new opportunity at the University of Georgia in 2024. Though her four years of NCAA eligibility are now complete, she remains in the U.S. to finish her business degree, training and competing across the U.S. and Europe at an international level — no longer representing a school, but a legacy.
“Moving across the world on your own, to chase your dreams, is something that takes courage most people can’t even comprehend,” her father says. “Lianna’s commitment, her work ethic, and the resilience she’s shown — I really can’t put into words how proud we are of her. We’re lucky to speak most days, and every time I hear her voice, I’m reminded of just how far she’s come.”
From Kurrajong fields to global arenas, Lianna’s story is one of drive, talent, and the quiet power of believing in yourself — even when the path ahead is anything but easy.
Lianna Davidson has officially qualified for the javelin final at the World University Games in Germany, with a huge opening throw that secured her automatic place in Sunday’s medal event. The final will take place overnight at 4:00 AM AEST (Sunday), and locals are being encouraged to rally around one of their own.
“It’s incredibly special to see our Little A’s athletes thriving at the top level,” says Marilyn Pearson, long-time coach and convenor at Kurrajong-Bilpin. “Lianna earned her spot in the final with one massive throw. The last athlete I coached at the World University Games was Ian Dewhurst in the 400m hurdles — he came away with a bronze medal and a personal best, after just hoping to make the final. That’s the kind of drive and grit we see from our Hawkesbury athletes.”
Davidson previously won Senior Athlete of the Year at Kurrajong-Bilpin for three consecutive years, and has also returned to coach junior athletes in her hometown.
She now joins a growing list of elite-level athletes who began their journey on community fields in the Hawkesbury.
“We’ve had 18 Kurrajong-Bilpin athletes represent Australia — and they’re doing it without elite facilities,” Pearson adds. “We might not have stadiums or grandstands, but we’ve got committed families, coaches, and kids who show up again and again. Lianna is one of many proving how far that kind of community support can take you.”
Lets cheer her on!
Set your alarms or light a candle for Lianna!
Javelin Final: Sunday 4:00 AM AEST
Streaming details via World University Games or follow updates on Kurrajong-Bilpin Little Athletics Facebook
Because here in the Hawkesbury, we don’t just grow great athletes — we cheer them all the way.
