Layla's Story

Layla's disabilities never got in the way of pursuing incredible sporting success.

Cranebrook’s Layla Sharp, who lives with cerebral palsy and vision impairment, has never let her disabilities get in the way of pursuing sporting success.

Layla first received a Variety Heart Scholarship in 2018 as a determined 10-year-old with a big dream – to represent Australia.

Now 17, Layla is the Australian T38 800m record holder and the 2024 NSW Para Women’s 400m champion, having received over $30,000 in support from Variety NSW since her journey began.

In 2025, Layla achieved her lifelong goal by qualifying for the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, where she competed in the 200m and 400m events. She placed 8th in the world for the 400m and 11th for the 200m, an outstanding debut on the international stage.

But it is in the long jump where she has truly made her mark after switching to the new discipline last October. One of her standout performances came at the ACT Championships, where she rewrote the record books by breaking the 10-year Australian T38 long jump record with an outstanding 4.64m jump. In doing so, she has achieved a life-long goal - earning selection for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Focused and ambitious, Layla is grateful for Variety’s support. “My Variety Heart Scholarships have meant the world to me,” Layla said. “They’ve allowed me to compete, access expert coaching and the latest equipment that I otherwise would not have been able to afford. Every record I’ve broken and every title I’ve won wouldn’t have been possible without Variety’s support. I’m forever grateful for their belief in young people like me and all that they do to help kids dreams come true.”

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