Moree PCYC staff have sent their best wishes to Ruby Drogemuller, as the outgoing gymnastic star prepares to leave Moree to pursue her dream of Olympic greatness.
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“Ruby Drogemuller will be leaving us next term to pursue training at the NSW Institute of Sport, not for gymnastics but for diving!” PCYC gymnastics coordinator Mandy Mitchell said.
Gymnasts, family and Moree PCYC staff met at the local PCYC on Thursday afternoon to wish the 10-year-old well in her future sporting endeavours.
“The staff, coaches and gymnasts here at the PCYC are all very proud of Ruby’s achievement and want to wish all the best for her big move to Sydney, her training and future diving career,” Ms Mitchell said.
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Only six weeks ago, the NSW Institute of Sport put out the call for the next generation of Olympic divers.
“Ruby was very keen even though she had never done any diving in the pool before,” Ms Mitchell said.
More than 90 would-be Olympic athletes trialed for the opening in Sydney and pushed through a series of dry land strength activities to test their strength, flexibility and agility.
“Several days later Ruby received a notification that she was successful in making it through to the second round of testing, which included one dry-land training session and two water sessions in the diving pool where Ruby jumped from the seven-and-a-half meter and 10 meter platforms,” Ms Mitchell said.
Ruby blew away the judges and successfully landed a spot in the target squad.
The St Philomena’s student will move to Sydney on July 23 to begin her dream of diving.
Current Commonwealth Games gold medalist and trainer Melissa Wuu said Ruby was the perfect match for the squad.
“The NSW Institute of Sport was looking for athletes who could prove their dedication, commitment and hard work, and who had enough talent to potentially go far in diving,” she said.
“Ruby ticked all the boxes and from the get-go she was a standout in terms of both her talent and drive. She’s incredibly mature for her age and despite being younger than many of the other athletes in the squad, she’s already shown how to lead by example in the few short weeks she’s been training with us in the NSW Institute of Sport Target Squad.”
She noted the 10-year-old for her marked resilience and strength.
“To make the move to Sydney is a huge sacrifice, but Ruby has taken it all in her stride and determined to achieve her goals,” Ms Wuu said.
“I’m proud to be coaching her and I am looking forward to not only guiding her in diving, but also taking her under my wing and hopefully being a mentor to her as she follows her dreams.”
Ruby will study at Tara Anglican College between her morning and evening training sessions. For the year five student, it’s a lot to juggle, but more than worth it.
“I always wanted to compete at the Olympics. I thought it would be nice, because the Olympics is such a big thing,” Ruby said.
Though she is excited, she admitted she is also a little nervous. Her mother Brooke shares the mixed feelings.
“It was not an easy decision because Ruby is only 10 years old and in year five, but she is determined and addicted to sport and doesn’t want to stop,” she said.
Brooke said her daughter had definitely picked up those qualities from her father.
“She is very self-motivated and good at work, just like her dad,” she laughed.