Having only picked up the sport two years ago, Luke, a young diver from Lake Macquarie NSW, is already making waves in the world of diving.
Training with the Hunter United Diving Academy at Lambton Pool, Luke’s natural talent quickly earned him a spot on the NSW School State Team during his very first competition in 2022. His determination and skill led him on to compete in the Australian Titles in Brisbane that same year.
Luke’s achievements continued in 2023 at the Diving Australia National Championships in Sydney, where he secured an impressive 4th place.
Luke faces unique challenges that set him apart from his metropolitan competitors. Living in a regional area means he lacks access to a year-round diving facility, as local pools close for the winter months, preventing him from training between May and October. This significant gap in training has the potential to impede his progress, especially when competing against divers who can train all year round.
Luke’s family has been incredibly supportive, making every effort to ensure he can participate in competitions and training sessions. However, financial constraints are a constant challenge. Registration and training fees quickly add up, not to mention additional costs for competitions and coaching. To help fund his diving aspirations, Luke has made sacrifices by scaling back on other sports to focus more seriously on diving.
With the support of the Grow a Star scholarship, Luke can continue to develop his skills and compete at the same level as his peers from larger cities. This scholarship not only aids in covering training expenses but also enables him to use the diving facility at Pymble Ladies College, a three-hour commute, twice a week for additional training in the winter months. Luke describes the impact of the scholarship, saying, "It has really benefited me. It's helped me get better and compete."
In April 2024, Luke competed in the State Combined High Schools Diving competition in Sydney, Luke excelled, placing 2nd in the U14 springboard, 2nd in the U14 Knockout, 1st in Syncro Teams, and 3rd in the Open Platform. Later that month he was selected for the Australian Diving Championships in Melbourne, competing in the age group above in the U14/15 springboard 1m and 3m events.
As part of her application for funding through Grow a Star, Luke’s mother Angela wrote a heartfelt letter highlighting Luke’s passion and dedication to the sport despite the obstacles he faces. Her words reflect the family’s commitment to ensuring that Luke can pursue his dreams in diving and continue his remarkable journey in the sport.
With the support of Grow a Star and his family’s unwavering dedication, Luke is poised to keep rising in the competitive diving landscape, proving that with perseverance and support, anything is possible.
Copyright © 2022 Grow A Star - All Rights Reserved.