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At just 17, Waipu-based runner Denika Clooney is already making her mark on the international athletics stage – and she’s only just getting started.
Fresh back from competing at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, United States, Clooney is being recognised as one of New Zealand’s most promising young athletes. The event marked only her second time representing New Zealand internationally, lining up alongside four other under-20 athletes against the best young runners from around the world.
“It’s such a different environment to compete in,” Clooney said. “In New Zealand, races are usually more ‘solo’, but there I was part of a team. Everyone competing was top-tier – the best from their countries. It was definitely a milestone in my athletic career to compete overseas for my country.”
Clooney studies at Otamatea High School and is setting her sights firmly on even bigger goals this year. But the journey to this point hasn’t always been straightforward.
After relocating from Auckland when she was 13, Clooney went through a period where she questioned whether she would continue running at all. The shift from training daily with a large squad to training alone was challenging, both mentally and physically.
“When I first moved to Waipu, I did stop running,” she said. “The transition from training with lots of people to having no one around was actually quite difficult, and I struggled with my motivation.”
In Auckland, Clooney trained face-to-face with her coach Lisa Cross, alongside a squad of runners. These days, her coaching is delivered remotely.
“I talk to her over the phone, she sets all my training through an app, and I do it by myself,” she said.
Her mother, Tracey, played a crucial role during that period, encouraging her to stick with the sport. That decision has proven pivotal. Training solo has helped Clooney develop resilience and discipline – qualities that are now paying dividends on the track.
Last year marked a major breakthrough. Clooney competed in the 5000m for the first time, claimed a national secondary school title, and made her international debut in Australia. Along the way, she broke several personal records, signalling a rapid rise in performance and confidence.
But talent and hard work alone don’t guarantee success in elite sport. Clooney is acutely aware that financial support can be a deciding factor in whether young athletes can continue to progress.
“In the early stages, everything depends on family support and financial resources, unless you have sponsorship,” she said.
She is currently in discussions with universities in the United States, exploring opportunities that could include a full scholarship for four or five years – a pathway that would allow her to balance study with high-performance athletics.
“I’m also looking for any business or individual who could sponsor me next year,” she said. “That would be extremely helpful for future events.”
Behind the medals, travel and international competition lies a great deal of sacrifice. Like many young athletes, Clooney has relied on community support and fundraising – organising raffles and food sales – to help cover the costs of competing.
What began as a year of growth and personal bests in 2025 has already carried momentum into 2026, with another international appearance under her belt. For this determined teenager from Waipu, it may be just the first step in a much larger journey.
