Athletics
BRIDGETOWN teenager Tylah Van Diemen is preparing to head to Sydney in March for the biggest athletic event on the calendar.
The Australian Junior Championships takes place from March 11-15 and will see about 2000 athletes and their families converge on the Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre. The Championships include events for age groups from under 14 to under 20.
Van Diemen, 13, will be competing in the 90m hurdles under 16 and the triple jump under 14 events.
Proud mother Sasha Van Diemen said they were all very excited and looking forward to such a big event for Tylah.
"This is going to be a huge eye opener for Tylah," Mrs Van Diemen said.
"It is very exciting for her to be representing the state at such a young age. She trains extremely hard and being an athlete from the country, she doesn't get the same opportunities to be coached as the city kids, so she needs a lot of self discipline and has to train at home some days."
A fundraiser was held in Bridgetown at the Recreation Centre to assist Tylah with expenses to get to Sydney. Mrs Van Diemen said there was a great turnout for the "Kids Fun Night".
"The fundraiser was a blast, with children coming along from Pemberton, Manjimup and Bridgetown to support Tylah," Mrs Van Diemen said. "The kids were wonderful and they didn't want to go home at the end. I would like to thank everyone for their support."
