Aiming for pole position Olivia McTaggart won the AIMES Emerging Talent Award in 2017 for her achievements in pole vaulting. Since then, the former Takapuna Grammar School student has continued to build her experience in the sport and she has set some big targets for the future. Channel's Nikki Davidson caught up with her... Have you always been interested in pole vaulting? What inspired that interest or how did it develop? I started pole vaulting when I was 14 years old after I got devastating news that I had to quit gymnastics due to a back injury. My teammate had started six months earlier than me and I followed her into it. The combination of my coach Jeremy’s gymnastics background, and mine, made for a smoother transition into the compatible sport. Since then my passion for the sport has only grown and I have become more and more interested in pole vaulting and all the technical aspects involved.
My focus hasn’t shifted since day one with the goal always being to make it to the Olympics… Why did you apply for an AIMES award? I applied for the AIMES award so that I could help fund my European season. Each year we have to travel to Europe so that we can compete against our competition. This can be an expensive few months and having that support backing me helps a lot, not just with money but also a sense of community and support for my future seasons. Please tell us your reaction when you learned you had won the award? What opportunities did winning it offer to you? My reaction if anything was pure relief and excitement! Having that funding backing me into the season meant I didn’t have to find a job and work while training full time which would’ve affected
Olivia McTaggart
Photo: Alisha Lovrich Photography.
my training. The opportunities meant that I could go to more competitions not only in Germany but also in Cardiff, Belgium, and Finland etc. Since winning, has your focus shifted? If so, why? If not, how have you continued to work to develop your skills? My focus hasn’t shifted since day one with the goal always being to make it to the Olympics and I will not stop until that is secured. I have continued to work on various technical aspects of the jump to become a more powerful and well-rounded athlete on and off the field. Although since receiving a scholarship I have also learnt more about the business and sponsorship side of the sport. What are your ambitions for the next year, three years, and longer term? This next year I am focusing on qualifying for Doha World Championships, placing at World University games and gaining as many points as I can leading into Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualifications. Three years down the track I want to be competing at Diamond leagues all across the circuit and be a competitor at the World Championships both indoor and outdoor. The ultimate goal is to be an Olympic champion.
AWARDS
AIMES Awards 2019 Applications open June 12th Apply Online: www.aimesawards.co.nz
Greg Woodd
Gary Simpson
Brian Stewart
Robert Clark
Candice Murphy
Ken Paterson
Paul Hunter
Sarah Martin
Jamie Barr
We have been proud sponsors of the AIMES Award Winners’ network over the last 5 years. Just like an AIMES judge choosing “best in class” individuals across a selection of categories, at Simpson Western, we believe that the strength and success of our firm comes through the selection of not only “best in class” individuals, but also onboard highly experienced legal specialists that act as trusted advisors to our clients and focus on delivering exceptional legal results across a diverse range of law: • • • • • •
Commercial Employment, Health and Safety Litigation and Dispute Resolution Residential and Commercial Property Lifestyle Planning, Wills, Trusts and Estates Family and Relationship Property Law
With offices in Takapuna and Silverdale, you can be sure we’ll always be right here, on your side.
(09) 486 3058 I enquiries@simpsonwestern.co.nz I www.simpsonwestern.co.nz
Takapuna L3, Takapuna Finance Centre, 159 Hurstmere Rd, Takapuna I Silverdale Cnr Millwater Parkway & Polarity Rise, Silverdale
www.channelmag.co.nz Issue 99 - June 2019
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