12-year-old Alesha Bennetts will represent St Matthews in the Pacific School Games from December 3-9.

Bennetts will try her luck in the 100 and 200 metre sprints, 400 metre relay, long jump and touch football.

The event is held once every four years in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games. 

It wasn’t her original plan to take on so many events, but when a couple of girls couldn’t compete in the relay and long jump, Alesha put her hand up to fill the void.

It’s that kind of willingness that’s put Alesha in such good stead as she’s got an enthusiastic approach to everything she does.

Bennetts circled the 100 metre sprint as her favourite event and likes that it’s “shorter and over really quickly”.

It’s no surprise it’s her most preferred event as she scored a gold medal for it during the state qualifying weekend.

It’s been a nine-year journey for Alesha as she first signed up to little athletics as a three-year-old.

She’s molded her approach to athletics around idols such as Melinda Gainsford Taylor, and has been a role model for younger sisters Monique and Jorja, who are five and 10. In fact, Jorja hopes to soon be doing what her big sister is.