Millennium institute of sport & health
Liam Stone: A CHAMPION IN THE MAKING
The proof is in the pudding so they say. 14 year-old Liam Stone is one of the stars of the Millennium’s Athlete Development Academy (ADA), has been diving since the age of seven, and has achieved some truly remarkable results along the way.
Not only is he a New Zealand age-group champion, he also holds the New Zealand open men’s national title and has had considerable success at several recent international competitions.
Liam started in the ADA six months ago and credits the programme with seeing huge benefits from the strength and conditioning course he has been involved in. “Just the other day my coach said to me that my fitness levels were heaps better”, Liam mentions. In a sport where physical strength and control over your body are of the utmost importance, the ADA has provided Liam with the conditioning to be able to sustain a noticeably higher level of diving over a longer period of time. Due to his young age, intensive strength training wouldn’t have been appropriate; however the Academy offers safe strength and conditioning and teaches young athletes, such as Liam, correct technique which will hold them in good stead for the future.
The Albany Junior High School student has enjoyed his time in the ADA so far, especially training with athletes from a mix of sporting codes, and is excited to see how the programme can continue to benefit his diving.
Liam has a busy schedule coming up, with several international competitions on his agenda, including the Camo International Invitational in Canada in December, along with the Australian Open Championships and Junior World Championships next year. His aim is to perform as well as he possibly can at these events, and hopefully pick up a couple of first-places while he’s at it. He’s also looking to retain his open national title next year.
For a young man, Liam has his longterm goals mapped out with remarkable determination. Liam notes “I want to represent New Zealand at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and after that the 2016 Olympics. I know I have a long way to go but that is where I’m aiming”. With this resolute approach to his training and competition, he is on the right track to achieve these goals. Watch this space.
LIAM’S
RECENT RESULTS:
Competition: Australian Junior Elites (Nationals)
Result: 2nd, 4th, 7th.
Competition: Australian School Games
Result: 1st, 1st, 3rd.
Competition: Asia Pacific Rim Junior Invitation
Result: 1st, 1st, 1st, 3rd.
Competition: DNZ Open & Junior Nationals
Result: 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st.
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