Hains, O’Brien, Mathews + Rodriguez Travel to Diving World Cup

Australia’s divers, including NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) athletes Nikita Hains, Brittany O’Brien, Kurtis Mathews and Coach Joel Rodriguez, have travelled to Berlin to continue their Paris 2024 preparations at the second World Aquatics Diving World Cup. 

Springboard divers, O’Brien and Mathews, are a new inclusion to the Australian team, which remains largely unchanged from the Montreal World Cup a fortnight ago. In this crucial year and time of Olympics preparation, O’Brien and Mathews come into the team for a chance to experience more international competition before Australia’s selection trials in June. 

Montréal marked a return to international competition for Women’s 10-Metre Platform diver Emily Meaney and she was pleased to make the final where she finished 11th overall. 

“They always put on a fantastic event in Montréal, so it was great to get out there for the first time this season and compete against some of the best in the world to see where I am at,” Meaney said. 

“My main takeaway from Montréal was that consistency is key. Before competition starts in Berlin, I am looking forward to refining a few of my dives, to help improve my overall list scores,” she said. 

The 26-year-old will celebrate her birthday while in Berlin, but the bigger prize would be making Australia’s diving team bound for Paris.   

“I try not to compare myself against other athletes, but I am willing to work as hard as I can in the lead up to trials to put myself in the best position I can to secure a debut spot on that Olympic team. 

“It has always been a dream of mine to make the Olympics, so my support team and I will be preparing as best we can in the lead up to trials,” she said. 

When Meaney isn’t diving she has been studying to become a physiotherapist, recently completing her Masters of Physiotherapy.

“My plan for this year in the lead up to trials is to prioritise diving,” Meaney explained. 

“It has been quite a challenge juggling both full-time study and training, so in an effort to give it my all this year I have decided to focus on my diving. I am looking forward to hitting the ground running and embarking on my journey as a physio later in the year,” she said. 

The World Aquatics 2024 Diving World Cup Series continues in Berlin (GER) from 21 – 24 March with the Super Final in Xi’an (CHN) to be held from 19-21 April.

Article courtesy of Diving Australia