Sport
9 February, 2026
Overseas sucess for Occy
TEENAGER Occy Hayes continues to shine on the athletics track, bringing home silver from the 2026 New Zealand Development Tour.
Occy, a member of the Port Fairy Little Athletics Club, was selected to participate in last month’s tour which saw him compete at the North Island Colgate Games.
This was part of the third instalment of the Little Athletics Victoria Development Squad.
Occy had qualified to compete in the highly competitive 400m, 800m, 1500m and relay events.
A junior middle-distance runner, Occy finished first in his heat in the 1500m event and was placed second overall, earning him a silver medal.
He also ran the 800 metre leg of a 1600m medley relay (his team finishing in third place).
Despite his busy race program, Occy also performed exceptionally well in the 800m event where he finished second in his heat race.
This automatically qualified him for the final, where he placed seventh.
This meet came on top of what was a very busy 12 months for the young star.
He has competed at national level in cross country over the past 12 months, as well as state level in track and field.
He also competed in the LAVic Junior Stawell Gift.
Occy shares his passion for running with his family, and together they are regular participants at the Port Fairy Park Run, the Port Fairy Running Club and the Little Athletics Victoria cross-country season.
