Pho3nix Future Camp Gold Coast equips Australia’s next generation of athletes

The Pho3nix Foundation has successfully concluded the 2026 Pho3nix Future Camp Gold Coast, bringing together some of Australia’s most promising young athletes for five days of learning, mentorship and personal development designed to prepare them for the demands of elite sport.

Held from 7-11 July on the Gold Coast, the fully funded camp welcomed athletes aged 15 to 18 from a diverse range of sports, with pole vault, snowboard cross and tenpin bowling represented for the first time.

The camp formed part of the Foundation’s global Pho3nix Future Camp program, which has been developing emerging athletes across Europe, Asia, Oceania and Africa since 2021. The 2026 edition marked the fourth Future Camp to be hosted on the Gold Coast.

Hosted by Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Olympic silver medallist John Steffensen alongside Australian Ironman Hall of Fame member Belinda Granger, the program immersed athletes in an intensive schedule of workshops, mentoring sessions and practical experiences designed to support both their sporting ambitions and personal growth.

Camp participants learned from an outstanding group of Olympic, world and national champions while also hearing from Pho3nix Future Camp alumni such as hurdler Tayleb Willis, surf lifesaver Conner Maggs and swimmer Sienna Kitchen. Their experiences offered valuable insight into the journey from aspiring junior athlete to competing on the international stage.

Athletes also visited the Gold Coast Suns, touring the club’s high performance facilities and taking part in a question and answer session that provided insight into the standards, culture and professionalism required to succeed in elite sport.

The opportunity to learn directly from some of Australia’s leading athletes proved to be one of the highlights of the week.

“Having the opportunity to learn from world-class athletes and coaches while representing the sport I love was something I’ll never take for granted,” said tenpin bowler Kasey Reid. “Hearing everyone’s stories about resilience, discipline and success has given me even more motivation to continue working towards my goals on and off the lanes.”

For distance runner Phoebe Grocholsky, the camp expanded her understanding of what it takes to succeed at the highest level.

“Especially in the world of endurance sports, being at the top of your mental and physical game is so important,” she said. “This week of education provided me with the knowledge needed to make it in elite sport. New concepts and skills were introduced and some old ideas challenged, ultimately allowing me to grow as both an athlete and an individual.”

Pho3nix Future Camps foster friendships across sports and encourage athletes to learn from one another’s experiences, creating a collaborative environment where emerging talent from diverse disciplines can connect, share ideas and grow together. With every Future Camp, Pho3nix continues to build a community of young athletes who are better equipped to pursue excellence both in sport and in life.

Three successful Future Camps have now been delivered in 2026, providing world-class mentoring, education and opportunities that extend well beyond competition, demonstrating Pho3nix’s ongoing investment in the next generation of athletes.

Applications for future Pho3nix Future Camps and other youth development opportunities will be announced via the Pho3nix Foundation’s website and social media channels. To learn more, visit www.pho3nixfoundation.com and follow @pho3nixfoundation.