MOREE diver Ruby Drogemuller has been selected to join the 15-member Australian team to compete next month in the 2024 World Aquatics Junior Diving Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Sixteen-year-old Ruby is one of five New South Wales Institute of Sport Scholarship athletes selected for the Rio-bound national squad.

The championships run from Sunday, November 24 to Monday, November 29, with 250 of the best junior divers – aged between 14 and 18 – from more than 40 nations competing.

“I’m so excited to be selected to attend world juniors for a second time,” Ruby said.

“It’s an honour to represent our country against the best junior divers in the world, and it will be an exciting competition.

“I love diving alongside my synchro partner, Ellie,” she smiled.

Ruby and Ellie will represent Australia with fellow athletes Alexandria Sando, Emily Francis, Hannah Smith, Lucy Dovison, Archie Forsyth, Deanna Drake, Jasmine Wallcroft, Keira Wang, Maggie Grey, Benjamin Wilson, Jaxon Bowshire, Jonah Merceica and Lachlan Abbott.

The Australian team selection was based on each athlete’s performance at the Australian Junior Elite Nationals, held in Brisbane last month. The New South Wales divers collected five gold medals, three silver and two bronze. Brooke collected silver, with each scholarship holder finishing in the top six of their respective events.

Ruby is no stranger to overseas competition – and no stranger to winning, either. Earlier this year, she collected Gold with 17-year-old Ellie Cole in the Women 10m Synchronised at the American Cup, held in Indianapolis, Indiana.

They again collected Gold at the Canada Cup of Diving in Calgary. In the American Cup, Ruby and Ellie were making their debut with the national senior team.

Head coach Chava Sobrino told NSWIS, Ruby and Ellie made spectacular debuts in their first senior competition.

“The young duo clinched gold in the synchronized platform event, marking a significant milestone in their burgeoning careers,” he said.

Dale and Brooke Drogemuller are indeed proud parents.

“Dale and I are so very proud of Ruby and everything she has achieved so far in her diving career,” Brooke said.

“She’s very driven and works incredibly hard, qualities we know will take her a long way in diving and beyond the pool.”

Words: Bill Poulos; Images: Courtesy of NSWIS