Young diver wins three gold medals at 2015 Pacific School Games

DIVER Jade Sweeney, 13, came home from this year’s Pacific School Games with three gold medals.

Jade Sweeney of South Penrith just won three gold medals at the Pacific School Games in diving.

DIVER Jade Sweeney from South Penrith has come home from the Pacific School Games with three gold medals.

At the School Sport Australia event in Adelaide, that kicked off on November 21 and finished last Saturday, Jade won the 13 to 14 years girls platform event, was the top scorer in the 13 years one metre springboard event, and was also champion of the three metre springboard event for her age group.

“I was not expecting that,” Jade said.

“I trained (hard) and when we got there we were training a lot, just to get used to the boards, and I was in the first event and won — it was really exciting,” she said.

The competition was tough at the meet, according to Jade.

“My event had the most competitors, there were 18 people in platform.”

Some of the other divers came from as far as India, Macau and New Zealand.

Diver Jade Sweeney trains before and after school at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.

The 13-year-old said she also competed in the 13 to 14 years synchronised event, for the first time with a male diver, and the pair won a silver medal.

Since starting to dive three years ago, Jade has earned herself a stack of achievements that include being offered a swimwear sponsorship this year.

Jade said she now has notable 2016 competitions set in her sights.

“Next year I am hoping to make it to worlds for elite juniors and to do that I have to get a certain place at elite nationals, so I’m working towards qualifying for that.”