ARMADALE’S Julia Ward will don the green and gold for the International Dragon Boat Federation’s World Nations Championships in China next year.
The 17-year-old was selected to represent WA at the Dragon Boat Championship in Adelaide earlier this year, where the team won a bronze medal .
She only began paddling in the junior category with the Lakers Dragon Boating Clubat Champion Lakes in 2015, winning the title of fairest and best that year.
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READ NOWA Year 11 Atwell College student, Julia trains three times a week at the Champion Lakes Regatta Centre and balances life as a student preparing for exams, and part-time employment.
Julia said one of the biggest hurdles was juggling school work with sport and her other commitments.
“It can be difficult to get homework done before or after training but it’s just something else you have to juggle,” she said.
Following the Australian championships, Julia underwent a fitness assessment before being invited to attend a selection camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra for a place in the Aurora’s Under-18s.
She has been supported by the City of Armadale with a $150 sports donation towards her travel costs.