The 2024 CTFL draft saw the league’s four teams select 119 athletes in hopes of guiding them to a championship. Established stars and prolific youngsters were snatched up, with some picks panning out, while others weren’t as impactful as predicted. As NWA did before last season’s draft, we’ll look at the most exciting prospects of the upcoming draft. Each week, we’ll pull three athletes that will likely be high on teams draft boards.

These promising athletes aren’t ranked in any particular order, as they all have the potential to impact their teams. Some look to be competitive within their discipline, while others look poised for a sweep of all three marks. 

Here’s New World Athletics Promising Prospects

Hayley Manners, Long Jump

Although we don’t rank draft prospects, Manners surely sits among the best of the incoming athletes. The 2024 CTFL season’s longest jump was 5.97m by Huskies Leah Jones, which is well below Manners’ 6.28m best. The Etobicoke native won the 2023 national championship before missing the 2024 season due to injuries. Manners consistently put up impressive marks throughout the season before her triumph on the national stage. Despite missing an entire season, the 23-year-old’s dominant results during the 2023 season will be enough to keep her draft stock high; especially as a core athlete, who can win up to 76 points for a team. Proven to be one of the country’s best long jumpers, Manners will be sought after by all teams as she looks capable of sweeping the division.

Best Fit: Arctics, Spitfires

Liam Smith, 1500m

Smith is a young athlete who will be a valuable pickup in a competitive discipline. With a personal best of 3:43.06, the Western University athlete looks likely to sit among the closely divided top five of the discipline this season. At just nineteen, Smith looks to have a high ceiling in the event, shaving ten seconds off his best between 2023 and 2024. The 2024 season showed the power of the draft in this specific event, as Arctic’s fourth-round pick Matthew Beaudet nearly swept the discipline, winning 70 points on the way to a first-placed finish. The 2024 OFSAA champion will appeal to any team looking to bolster their 1500m talent.

Best Fit: Spitfires, Arctics

Zach Courtney, Long Jump

Another Western University athlete, Courtney – like Smith – will likely compete with those at the top of his discipline. With the top half of the discipline just breaking the seven-metre mark, Courtney’s recent personal best of 7.10 makes him an exciting prospect. The 21-year-old set his new record early into the indoor season on Jan. 11, 2025. A 0.10m increase from last season’s best is the kind of progression that team GMs are looking for. While he won’t be expected to compete for the top spot in the discipline, Courtney could earn points in a highly contested discipline and, if he continues to improve, hope to lead it. 

Best Fit: Spitfires, Bears