The Taieri College year 11 pupil was the recipient of a $500 youth ambassador award from Saddle Hill Community Board last week, and was grateful for the board’s support for her swimming efforts.
"The award will definitely be helpful, and it is great to have that acknowledgement from the community board."
The board was impressed by Keira’s dedication to her sport, her support for her fellow athletes, and felt she was a strong role model for other young people.
In addition to training five times a week with the Dunedin Swim Coaching Board performance squad, she also does open water swim training with the Sunday Swim Club in Otago Harbour.
A member of the Taieri Swimming Club, she plays and coaches water polo for Taieri College, and runs a Swimfit programme for her fellow athletes at the school.
She hoped the experience she gained through training in Otago Harbour, where the conditions could be windy and rough, would stand her in good stead for the weekend’s open water competition, which will involve 800 swimmers from across the country.
She will compete in the 16 and under age category for both the South Island and New Zealand champs.
"I’m hoping for rough conditions, which I think will give me an advantage over the North Island swimmers, since I’m used to coping with it."
To qualify, she has achieved 11 New Zealand division 2 times in the pool.
"It’s exciting to be getting the chance to compete in these events, and having financial support towards the costs involved is a great help."
