HBF JUNIOR SPORTS HEROES NOMINEE - By Denise Sharon Cahill, Western Suburbs Weekly
TAMARA Irvine has not lived a “normal” life since she was a toddler.
The 12-year-old Floreat Park Primary School student was diagnosed with asthma and eczema, which had her in and out of hospital as a four-year-old.
For the past seven years, she has trained four days a week for gymnastics and a further three days as a springboard diver.
She gave up gymnastics two months ago to concentrate on diving.
“It was hard in the beginning but then I realised I had more of a future in diving and could do a lot better,” she said. “I’d lost the drive to win with gymnastics.”
Tamara has her sights set on Rio de Janeiro 2016 and the 2018 Commonwealth Games after winning a gold medal at the Age Nationals in Adelaide with her partner in the synchronised diving.
“Synchronised diving is fun because there’s less pressure on you and it’s a good way to work as a team in an individual sport,” she said.
While asthma is no longer a problem for the youngster, she used her experience to write a book about a Year 1 boy who is bullied because of his asthma.
Tamara’s mum Rose is so proud of her daughter’s journey from asthma sufferer to potential Olympian she has nominated her for the HBF Junior Sports Hero Awards that will give winners $1000 and runners-up $500.