Keeping up with the Hamiltons

Kelly and Josie Hamilton have six children aged between 16 and six years - Chelsey (16), Alexia (15), Jayde (13), Cynthia (12), Riley (9) and Billie (6).

They all share a love of sport and each one has accomplished big things in their chosen fields of judo, Australian Rules and Oztag.

The eldest daughter, Chelsey, was recently named the Oceania Judo Champion for her age category and is now ranked sixth in the world.

Alexia only narrowly missed out on the weight restriction for the same category, which made way for her sister and has resulted in some healthy competition between the siblings in the family home.

Alexia, in her own right, is also a national judo champion and was last year selected to go to Sarajevo to compete, although she didn’t end up making the trip. 

Both girls have made the Greater Western Sydney Giants under 18s women’s academy squad and will fly to Melbourne this weekend where they will represent NSW Youth Girls in the under 18s AFL nationals.

Younger sister Cynthia is also a keen footy player and finished third in the overall player rankings in the under 11 male competition that she plays in. She is also the current national judo champion for the second year running.

Meanwhile, thirteen-year-old Jayde is a national judo champion, while the youngest girl, Billie plays in the ACT under 9 OzTag team.

The only boy of the family, Riley, rounds out the team with his selection to represent NSW in Oztag and he also came second in Australia at the National Judo Competition.

“It’s a bit bizarre as they have just grown up loving and playing sport. It’s always been a part of their lives,” said proud dad Kelly.

“I just look at them as normal kids and they do their homework as well, which is a bonus.

“We don’t force them or nag them, it’s just something that they do. We give them every opportunity and they take it from there.”

Mr Hamilton said the siblings all share a natural ability for sport as well as a fierce determination and drive to succeed.

Alexia hopes to one day be drafted to the women’s AFL team while all six kids dream of representing their country in Judo at the Olympics.

“I’m proud we have raised them as people...they are all good competitors and they haven’t been sheltered from anything,” Kelly said.

Watch this space!