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Orewa teenager Olivia Fox will represent New Zealand at the prestigious Camo Invitational event in Montreal in Canada next month.
The Camo invitational is a diving competition for the best junior and senior divers from around the world. Olivia, 14, and team mate Riley Oxenham are among the youngest in the NZ team.
Olivia’s mother Maegan says Olivia was set to compete in Australia last year, but like so many other events, the competition was cancelled due to Covid.
“She lives for diving and is very excited to be representing NZ,” Maegan says. “She’s been watching Commonwealth divers Mikali Dawson and Maggie Squire, and has her heart set on one day competing at Commonwealth and Olympic level.”
Olivia started as a gymnast with North Harbour Gym before moving into diving just over three years ago.
She trains at West Wave in Henderson five times a week. The two-and-a-half hour sessions include not only pool work, by dry land training on the trampoline, mats and dry board.
She is coached by Ellie Price and Finn Bramley.
Maegan says she is impressed by her daughter’s dedication.
“She’s always loved doing flips and to be honest, I think she slightly enjoys the slightly scary sensation of standing on the end of the board!”
Maegan says diving in New Zealand is completely self-funded so Olivia is not only working hard in training, but also fundraising for Canada and other international competitions next year. She leaves for Canada on December 8.
If anyone would like to contribute to her travel expenses, they can find her givealittle page here: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/14-year-old-chosen-to-compete-at-prestigious
