Brand Ambassador Program

Sport: Swimming - Backstroke

Instagram: @alyssa.burgess

Bio & Achievements: 

Alyssa Burgess is a Western Australian backstroker competing for Highlanders Swim Club, training under Ian Hulme as part of the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) swimming program based at Perth HPC.

At just 16, she made her international swimming debut at the 2019 World Junior Swimming Championships. Her most recent international appearance came as part of the 2025 Australia A Team racing in Los Angeles. Following a strong 2025 season, Burgess swam personal best times at the 2026 Australian Swimming Trials setting herself up for an even stronger season ahead.

Within the Swimming WA community, Alyssa advocates for women’s and girls’ participation in sport, and is a humble and empowering role model for younger swimmers.

Sport: Canoe Sprint

Bio & Achievements:

I am a canoe sprint athlete, currently on the Australian Senior Canoe Sprint Team and scholarship holder at the Western Australian Institute of Sport. Kayaking has taken me from local racing in Western Australia to the international stage, including a fifth-place finish in the K1 200m at the U23 World Championships.

I train daily at VenuesWest facilities, including the WAIS High-Performance Centre and Champion Lakes Regatta Centre, while also completing my final year of Law school and working part-time.

My ultimate goal is to represent Australia at the LA 2028 Olympic Games and I hope to use my journey to inspire others to pursue their goals and showcase the opportunities, friendships and experiences that sport can provide.

Sport: Athletics - Discus

Bio & Achievements: 

Anika Gosling is a proud Wadjuk Noongar woman from Perth, a national-level discus athlete, and a passionate advocate for youth wellbeing.

Alongside her sporting career, Anika works as a school psychologist, supporting Aboriginal young people and helping to strengthen their social and emotional wellbeing.

In 2024, she represented Australia at the Oceania Athletics Championships, earning a bronze medal in the discus, and continues to pursue success on the international stage as she works towards future Commonwealth and Olympic competition.

As a VenuesWest Brand Ambassador Program participant, Anika brings resilience, determination and a strong commitment to inspiring the next generation both on and off the field.

Sport: Wheelchair Basketball

Instagram: @taishar_

Bio & Achievements: 

Taishar Ovens is a WAIS scholarship holder, Paralymian and one of Australia's leading wheelchair basketball athletes.

A member of the Australian Gliders national team, Taishar represented Australia at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and has continued to compete at the highest level internationally. Selected as a 2026-27 VenuesWest Ambassador, she was also part of Australia's 3x3 wheelchair basketball squad for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Known for her resilience, determination and leadership, Taishar is passionate about promoting inclusion and inspiring the next generation of para-athletes.

Sport: Para Athlete - Football

Instagram: @katelyn_smith_6

Bio & Achievements: 

Katelyn is a talented multi-sport athlete, Australian ParaMatildas footballer, goalkeeper, coach and disability sport advocate.

A World Cup and Asian Cup champion, Katelyn has represented Australia for more than a decade and captained the ParaMatildas in 2023 and 2024. Her achievements include multiple Goalkeeper of the Tournament honours and being named the 2025 National Indigenous & Torres Strait Islander Sports Awards Disability Athlete of the Year.

Beyond competing at the highest level, Katelyn is passionate about creating inclusive sporting opportunities, using her experience to inspire others and helping the next generation of athletes build confidence, develop their skills and achieve their goals.

Sport: Athletics - 400m hurdles, 4x400m relay

Instagram: @alanahyukich

Bio & Achievements: 

Alanah Yukich is an Australian 400m hurdler and 4x400m relay athlete whose journey has taken her from country athletics to the world stage.

She was a semifinalist in the 400m hurdles at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and has represented Australia at the World Athletics Championships. A three-time World Athletics Relays representative, Alanah also earned a silver medal as part of Australia’s mixed 4x400m relay team. She is the Western Australian record holder in the 400m hurdles.

Drawing on her experiences in elite athletics, Alanah is passionate about giving back to the sport through coaching. She aims to inspire and support the next generation of athletes by sharing her knowledge, encouraging self-belief and creating a positive environment where athletes can develop their skills, build resilience and reach their full potential.