FFA Coaching Race Report: August 2025

Welcome back, guys, to FFA Coaching Results. This is where we break down the most recent performances of our athletes, and put the spotlight on the stars of the future. Today we're reviewing the brilliance from August 2025. It's been a month packed with podium performances, international firsts, and some really exciting up-and-coming junior talent.

Let's start with one of our youngest celebrities: Mieke Greyvensteyn. At the age of only13, she's already showing consistency, determination and grit. She came 3rd at the Johannesburg East Cross Country Champs in a smashing time of 13:27 seconds over 3 kilometres, then followed it up with a good 6th position at inter-schools. That's the kind of early foundation you want to see in an athlete who could well be successful and go the distance.

On the veteran front, Celeste Hawkins, put up a good performance at the Total Sports Women's Race in Cape Town, finishing in under 50 minutes over 10 km. Neville Olivier, who tried his endurance with two races back-to-back, making it in 1 hour and 29 minutes for the half marathon at Clearwater Mall, followed by another decent 10 km at Wanderers the following day. That level of endurance speaks volumes about his training and mindset.

And let's not forget Isla Thomas. She also represented South Africa in the World Under-19 Pentathlon Championships in Lithuania, registering a 3-kilometer best time of 13:50 seconds, together with the shooting component. She was one step shy from finals, but international exposure at her age, no one can put a price on that.

One of the most exciting stories this month is Ontlametse Mahrery. She dominated the junior section at Clearwater Mall, clocking the 10 km in a sizzling 40:37 seconds, being the leading junior of the day. She then posted 5th at the CGA Cross Country Champs. That's a young sportswoman to watch out for.

Speaking of the juniors, Joshua Jowa did a tremendous job in the under-15 boys 4 km at the CGA Champs and came 2nd in overall rankings. And as for the girls, Mia Inglethorpe came 3rd in the under-12s. The pipeline is going strong.

All our seniors were not left behind either. Nadia Lombard won outright in CGA Champs senior women's 4 km. Samantha Coetzer was 3rd in the senior women's 10 km cross country, and Andile Manzi won a podium with 3rd in the 2 km. Consistency across the board.

Big takeaways from August:

1. We’ve got depth across all age groups — from U12s right up to seasoned senior athletes.

2. International doors are opening, with Isla Thomas carrying the flag abroad.

3. Podium finishes are stacking up, proving that FFA athletes are competitive across multiple race types.

4. And most importantly, we’re seeing resilience and determination. Athletes aren’t just racing once a month; they’re putting in consistent performances across back-to-back events, showing that a strong mindset and dedication goes a long way.

That's all the stunning performances for August 2025. The future looks bright, the present is prevailing, and the results speak for themselves. Whether you’re an athlete, a coach, or a sponsor, the organisation demonstrates a robust and continuous stream of qualified candidates for future roles.