St Martin de Porres School student Orlando Eitel nominated for 2024 School Sports Award

A fast-rising SA diving star has become one of the state’s top young talents this year and has been nominated for an SA School Sports Award. See how to nominate here.

One of SA’s fastest rising diving stars has the chance to win a major award after just two years in the sport.

11-year-old St Martin de Porres School student Orlando Eitel sits among the state’s top young talents and has been nominated for the primary section of The Advertiser, Sunday Mail and Department for Education School Sports Awards for 2024.

Recently accepted to train in Diving Australia’s Pathway Development Squad, Eitel said he was thrilled to be nominated for the awards.

“It’s really cool, I haven’t been nominated for any awards before,” The Year 6 student said.

“It shows people are noticing my hard work and hours spent at training.

“This would be a win for me and my coaches, because they make me want to train and improve.”

Young gun diver Orlando Eitel with star Olympian Rachel Dutschke (nee Bugg). Picture: Sport in Focus

Also a promising gymnast, Eitel had a standout second year in diving competing a number of times at national level.

After winning the springboard in the Diving SA Term 1 Championships in March, he represented SA in the April Diving Age National Championships and finished fourth overall in the 1-metre springboard U11 category.

He then spent 12 weeks at Diving Australia during a Pathway Development Squad trial before competing in the 2024 School Sports Australia Diving Championships, winning the team synchronised event, finishing second in the 11-year-old boys springboard and third in the boys and mixed synchronised event.

“I practice and practice and when I fail something I keep working at it until I get it,” Eitel said of his fast development in the sport.

Eitel representing SA. Picture: Sport In Focus

“It was great to be part of the School Sports Australia Diving Championships and seeing some of the best school age divers from Australia and New Zealand.

“The team synchronised event was the best – we were put into groups of four divers from across Australia we had never met and had to work out synchro dives for the competition.

“It was so much fun and our team won gold.”

While Eitel has also shown his talent in swimming and gymnastics, he had big hopes for his future in diving.

Orlando Eitel won an impressive medal collection through 2024. Picture: Supplied

“Short term, my goal is to qualify for the 2025 Australian age diving championships on the Gold Coast.

“Long term, I want to compete around the world at competitions and especially the Olympics.”

The School Sports Awards are the joint initiative of The Advertiser, Sunday Mail and Department for Education.

There are three major awards in 2024 – individual competitors, individual student officials, and teams, with female and male and primary and secondary categories all included.

Enrolled primary or secondary students between the ages of 10-18 are eligible.

Nominate by Sunday, November 3 at this link.