The 12-year-old traveled to New Zealand as a member of the NSW Trans Tasman team to contest the Colgate Games and Trans Tasman Challenge.

Up first for the touring squad was the Colgate Games, one of the biggest events on the New Zealand junior athletics calendar, where Keen finished fifth in the 12-year-old boys shot put with a throw of 11.13 metres and came second in the 12-year-old boys 1200m race walk.

The Colgate Games did not go off without a hitch, however, with the first day of the competition abandoned due to torrential rain and dangerous winds.

After a week of training and cultural activities, the athletes returned to Mt Smart Stadium for the annual Trans Tasman Challenge, a teams event pitting NSW’s best 11 and 12-year-olds against Auckland’s best.

Keen was able to improve on his performance at the Colgate Games, throwing a distance of 11.38m in the shot put to claim third place. Keen, however, saved his best for the discus event, where he recorded a throw of 36.60m to take the gold medal by just five centimetres. He was also a member of the field relay team that won gold. 

“I really enjoyed competing against the New Zealand team and going around to all the attractions in New Zealand,” Keen said. “It felt good to win the discus, because it’s the first time I’ve won against the people I’ve competed against.”

While athletics was the primary focus of the trip, the tour provided athletes with an opportunity to engage in numerous cultural activities and take in the North Island’s many landmarks. 

“Yes, there certainly was a lot planned,” Keen’s fater Rod said. “They did something different each day, they went down to Rotorua to the hot springs, theme parks, they kept them busy.

“They all had an enjoyable time. Ryan made some strong friendships with some of the Kiwi kids and NSW kids from other areas of the state.”