Nick Smith - 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games (Samoa)

I have been selected to represent NZ at the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games, to be held in Samoa (Sep 4-11).

I will be competing on the track in the 100m & 200m sprints.

This will be my first opportunity to compete on the international stage after a very successful domestic season.

Some of my main achievements over the last 2014/15 track season are:

• NZ Secondary Schools (Junior grade) - 100m and 200m title holder

• North Island Secondary Schools (Intermediate grade) - 100m (record), 200m and 4x100m (record) title holder

• NZ Athletics Championships (U18 grade) - 100m, 200m and 4x100m title holder

• 100m PB of 10.97s (legal wind), 200m PB of 22.33s (legal wind)

The estimated cost per athlete (from Athletics NZ) is $4000. All funds raised up to this amount will be going towards my costs for competing in Samoa (these include travel insurance, airfares, accommodation, team management fees and uniform costs).

My goal for this event is to get to achieve personal best times in both the 100m and 200m and get into the finals.

I am training most days with the help of my coach (Rod Plimmer) so that I will peak for this event.