MOREE junior athlete Jayde James is taking Moree to Las Vegas – crossing towns, cities and countries to compete in cross country.

Jayde’s story is inspiring. Two years ago, she was diagnosed with Osgood-Schlatter disease – a painful condition affecting the knees.

The infliction is caused by inflammation of the growth plate at the top of the shinbone and occurs from repetitive overuse during growth spurts in young athletes.

The disease may have slowed down 14-year-old Jayde, but it didn’t stop her. Far from it.

“There were days it hurt to run and days I didn’t feel like I could keep up,” she said.

Jayde is a proud Moree born-and-raised teenager who has represented her town, schools and community since she was eight years old.

She has now been given the opportunity of a lifetime to travel to Las Vegas in September and compete in an elite Cross Country Invitational.

After working hard through recovery, Jayde, now a student at Stuartholme School in Brisbane, has come back stronger under the watchful eye of Chris Gale, a highly experienced athletics and running coach.

Moree Plains businesses and communities are getting behind Jayde’s dream, with a huge raffle currently underway.

There is also an online fundraising campaign on the Australian Sports Foundation’s website HERE.

Jayde James in action recently in Queensland. Jayde travels to Las Vegas in September to compete in an elite Cross Country Invitational (Image Supplied).

“I want to represent my town and my school, and make my family proud. I want to see how far I can go,” Jayde smiled.

“Like a lot of country kids, I’ve learned that if you want something, you have to work for it. Nothing is handed to you.

“I’ve now been given the chance to travel to Las Vegas and compete in an international cross country event, representing my home town and my school,” she said.

The invitation to compete in Las Vegas is not only a reward for Jayde’s dedication and determination, but also a chance to show what a kid from Moree can achieve on the world stage.

But getting to Las Vegas isn’t an easy exercise. Living in regional Australia means opportunities like this come with hefty price tags.

Travel costs, accommodation and competition fees add to the bottom line.

A fundraising raffle with 20 prizes will help finance Jayde’s trip, with Moree businesses Tyreel Turf, Jamesy’s Mowing and Landscaping Services, Agriware Moree, Younique Hair Image, Maslina Bar and Grill, Fluide Training, 61 Balo and Matilda and Louise donating valuable prizes.

Jayde’s proud parents, Jeremy and Kelly James, said the raffle and fundraising link will run until the end of July.

“We thank everyone for their amazing support – Moree has again stepped up,” Kelly said.

“All businesses who have sponsored Jayde or donated prizes will proudly feature on the competition jacket she’ll wear in Las Vegas.

“Jayde will also take business cards and flyers to share with other competitors across Nevada,” she said.

Jayde’s sporting and athletics resume is impressive.

She’s proven herself time and time again across multiple sports and competed at NSW State level in cross country and athletics through the NSW Primary School Sports Association.

Jayde also represented the north-west in state tennis and club competitions, and was named  Moree Tennis Club Junior Player of the Year in 2024.

Last year, she won the Run the Plains Grove Juice 5km and has also finished first for her age group in Moree, Melbourne Sunshine Coast Park Runs.

Jayde has competed at State level for Moree Little Athletics across a number of years and competed in Queensland State Athletics for the past three years.

Kelly James said her daughter isn’t the first Moree Shire athlete to travel to America to compete in cross country events.

In the early 1990s, Karina Grant from Pallamallawa competed and six years ago, Daniel Brown participated in the same event.

“Karina has reached out with her well-wishes and Daniel has offered to give Jayde some tips,” Kelly smiled.

“Daniel finished 20th across the series, gaining a medal, and assisted Australia get the win across the entire series.”

There is an online fundraising campaign on the Australian Sports Foundation’s website HERE.