General News
22 August, 2025
Fundraising mission accomplished
With her community firmly behind her, Lilly Weir has packed her bags for a trip to the US to represent Australia in the 2025 Teenage CrossFit Games.
The Laharum A-grade netballer and Horsham CrossFit member launched a Go Fund Me campaign at the start of May with the aim of raising $10,000 towards the cost of competing internationally.
She far exceeded that total, more than 70 donations taking the tally to $13,366 and enabling Weir to line up for the event that started in Columbua, Ohio, very early this morning Wimmera time.
"Hi! I’m Lilly Weir, a 17-year-old CrossFit athlete," the schoolgirl told potential supporters on the fundraiser page, set up with the help of her mother, Trudy.
"I started CrossFit two years ago and since then it’s completely changed my life.
"What began as a new challenge quickly became a passion."
Weir said "the training, the people and the mindset" had pushed her to grow in ways she had "never imagined, physically and mentally".
"Through CrossFit I’ve learned how to stay disciplined, persevere through setbacks and believe in myself even when it gets tough," she said.
Weir said that "after countless hours of training, hard work and dedication" she had earned a spot to compete on the world stage in the 16-17-year age division.
"It’s an incredible milestone and a dream come true," she said.
Funds raised are being used to cover travel, accommodation and other expenses, as well as her entry fees.
"This opportunity is something I’ve worked so hard for," she said.
After taking up CrossFit in 2023, Weir has skyrocketed up the rankings.
In the girls' 16-17 age group she is currently number one in Australia and Oceania and number five worldwide.
She learned in April that she had qualified for this year's games, which are running from Thursday August 21 until Sunday August 24 in Columbus, where the local time is 14 hours behind the Wimmera.