Farm life

In Steve’s last year of primary school, he and his family moved to a property in Howard Springs, 30 kilometres from Darwin. The tree change for the Dodt Family involved the establishment of a mango plantation on the property.

Fruit trees were not the only thing on their minds. Steve and his father built a 100m grass track with hurdles in the back paddock. This provided Steve with a space to train when he couldn’t make sessions with his coach Rolly Howard in Darwin. Steve’s dedication to training as a junior athlete led to two medals at the Australian Championships, and two international medals at the Arafura Games.

From Steve’s rural retreat, he travelled into Darwin to study at Nightcliff High School, followed by Casuarina Secondary College, and then Charles Darwin University. Steve also worked at the local Service Station in Howard Springs, while also working on the family farm.

Steve’s remote upbringing has given him valuable insight into the challenges of athletes living away from home and an appreciation for innovative solutions, like his hurdle track, to level the playing field wherever you live.