The Woodford Primary School grade four pupil is in the Victorian state team that will take part in the School Sport Australia competition.

To be held at Woden Park Athletics Field in Canberra, the competition will run from December 4-8. 

Layla will line up in the 100 metre sprint and 4x100 metre relay for 10-year-old girls. She will also join teammates in various other relay’s at the four-day competition.

Layla’s father Daniel explained that her selection for the state team is a triumph over adversity.

“Layla has had some issues with her legs and she hasn’t been able to do a lot of running,” Watson said.

“She has always been a fast runner and now she is back to a good level of fitness she is doing really well.”

Layla has made the state team after an exhaustive qualifying process which included competing and winning at school, district, regional and state level.

Her father may have introduced her to running but his role is now a support one and far less hands-on. 

“I used to go running with her but she has long burnt me off, I can’t keep up,” Watson said with a laugh.