Sisters Bethani, Sian and Mia (@thetownsendgirls) are sport enthusiasts from Noosa, who travel the world with their family to excel in their chosen sports. 

Olympians Mariafe Artech del Solar (beach volleyball – Rio 2016), Taylah O’Neill (mogul skiing – Sochi 2014) and Daniel Kowalski (swimming – Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000) were this month’s #GiveThatAGold judges, awarding their points to @thetownsendgirls  for showing excellence, passion and pure enjoyment across a wide range of Olympic sports. 

Check them out below: 

The Townsend Family story, from Bethani (14), Sian (12), Nia (12) and mum and dad, Cindy and Richard: 

“We certainly do love lots of different sports! Skiing is our number one favourite, plus mountain biking. 

“We got involved in skiing when we first skied at the age of 5 for Sian and Nia and 6 for Bethani as a family and the love grew from there.  

“We also enjoy rock climbing, surfing, basketball, running and athletics, which is great cross-training for competing in skiing and mountain biking. 

“We balance our winter and summer sports as we ski for three months over Christmas in Park City, Utah training and competing in slope style skiing and halfpipe.  When we return to Australia, we then head straight into mountain biking and other sports - this keeps us fit for skiing. 

 “When Australian ski season arrives we spend a month competing in Perisher, Thredbo and Mt Buller - This is where we are this weekend competing in 4 different events, including Interschools, Thredbo Snow Series and Australian Junior Free Ride Championships. 

“We manage to be involved in so many different sports as we have amazing parents who are out and enjoying most of our sports with us. We have just started distance education to give us flexibility to be able to pursue our Olympic dream of skiing for Australia.    

“We are so lucky to live in Noosa as it is a fantastic place to enjoy so many different outdoor sports as a family.  We are 12-year-old twins and Bethani, our big sister, is 14. Most of all, spending time as a family, keeping active and having fun together is the whole reason why we started all of our sports. 

“Our aim this season is to complete at Australian national level for skiing and next year we are looking forward to qualifying for U.S.A nationals.  

 “Thank you for sharing what we love to do and we hope there are many more families enjoying time together in their sporting activities.” 

Give That a Gold is a monthly competition, championing the millions of Aussies who display the Olympic values in their local sporting communities every single week. 

Share your Give That a Gold photos on social media and don’t forget to tag @AUSOlympicTeam and #GiveThatAGold, for your chance to a score a $250 ASICS voucher! 

To see previous winners and find out more head to: olympics.com.au/give-that-a-gold