Layla Sharp will make her Australian team debut at the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi from 26 September to 5 October 2025, marking a major step in her athletics journey.

The 17-year-old, a proud Biripi and Darug woman, is one of five Indigenous athletes selected to represent the country.

Athletics Australia shared the announcement during NAIDOC Week last week.

For Sharp, prepping during NAIDOC Week adds cultural weight to her achievement.

"NAIDOC Week is very important to me and my culture," she said.

"I've got a big group of family that I actually went and met up with from my other nation, which is Biripi.

"We had a gathering so this week means a lot to me and I'm remembering all those memories from earlier this year."

Sharp said her culture is closely tied to sport, and being part of a team with other young Indigenous athletes has deepened the experience.

"The Welcome to Country yesterday at our team announcement was beautiful," she said.

"She presented it so well and it's really nice to see that there's a couple of athletes on the team and they're from different nations and stuff as well.

"It's definitely going to be a good experience doing this altogether for the first time."

Sharp hopes to use her platform to inspire others, including those living with disability.

"I want to be idolised as an Aboriginal person helping younger generations," she said.

"I love helping people out and assisting, so I definitely want to be seen for that character."

She draws inspiration from Olympic gold medallist Cathy Freeman, whose performance at the 2000 Sydney Games left a lasting impression.

"Cathy has been my idol for ages," she said.

"I've watched her 2000 race so many times and it's so inspiring.

"The way that she built up to where she became and all of that, and how she uses her voice for younger Indigenous generations is so important."

Sharp was born in 2007, seven years after that historic moment, but said its impact still resonates.

Looking ahead, she said the Brisbane 2032 Paralympics will be a critical opportunity for Indigenous representation.

"Obviously now we have moved forward with recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people," she said.

"It's going to be really important at the home Paralympics and Olympics in 2032 to continue spreading that message.

"And for people like myself who are Aboriginal, it's going to be even more important, doing it in the home country which is really significant."

Telaya Blacksmith, a 17-year-old Warlpiri athlete from Sydney, will contest the T20 400m and long jump.

She became the 16th known Indigenous Paralympian after making the 400m final in Paris and is coached by Jacinta Doyle.

Kirra Wright, 17, is a Gundijimurra and Darug sprinter and shot putter from Victoria.

Living with cerebral palsy, she will compete in the T46 100m and F36 shot put events and is coached by Craig Chapman.

Lexie Brown, a 14-year-old Gumbaynggir and Kamilaroi sprinter from Nambucca Heads, is entered in the T47 100m and 200m.

A lower-arm amputee, she holds national age records and is coached by Zenon Kowalczyk.

Briseis Brittain, 17, from Ramingining in Arnhem Land, will run the T38 200m.

A proud Djambarrpuyngu woman with cerebral palsy, she has earned multiple national medals and is coached by Roger Chin.

Together, the five athletes are part of a growing movement of young Indigenous representation in Australian para sport.