By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
PRACTICE truly has made perfect for one shot put star from Cranbourne.
Grade 6 student Bernadette Taumaoe, from Cranbourne West Primary School, has been invited to compete in the national championships for shot put in Canberra.
On her way to a successful athletics career, Bernadette puts her winning streak down to practice and a kind sports teacher.
“I first learned to do shot put in my school sports classes and Mrs Leonard gave me a shot put to take home,” Bernadette said.
Realising how to harness her skills early on, Bernadette has worked hard to make it to the national competition – winning at a regional level and coming second in the state competition.
“I really enjoy shot put and I’ve been practising on some evenings and weekends at Casey Fields with my cousin who is also an athlete,” Bernadette said.
Bernadette said she was both excited and nervous to be competing in her first national event but wouldn’t be able to go without the help of her primary school.
The school’s Debbie Dodd said fund-raisers were being organised to help Bernadette and her family pay for the interstate trip.
“Because of Bernadette’s age she will have to be accompanied by a parent and just her costs alone to compete is $1900 – so as a school community we will assist with the costs to get her to Canberra,” Ms Dodd said.
