"I gained the national title for tumbling and narrowly missed on the double mini title. But importantly, my routines and execution exceeded the world qualifying points for all three categories of trampolining and put me in the frame for selection," Lachie says.
The sport of trampoline is both technically and physically demanding, with athletes experiencing three times their body weight every time they contact the landing mat, so body conditioning is an important aspect. Coach Wayne says Lachie doesn't rely on his natural talent and works hard to be an all-round athlete.
"The routines require us to perform at height, make split-second decisions and know where we are in the air," says Lachie.
"It definitely gets you buzzing when a routine you've been working on comes together, and you finally pull it off.
"Many of my fellow competitors have been competing since an early age, so I have had a lot to learn over the past five years since I first came to the sport," says Lachie.
"I am fortunate to have one of New Zealand's top coaches in Wayne who himself represented New Zealand long before I was born."
The combination has seen Lachie gain national titles in each of his five years of competing.
"In 2021 I managed to gain national titles for tumbling, double mini trampoline, and the overall Junior International Trampolinist Cup.
"It's amazing to think that a kid from a small volunteer-run club in a little country town in the middle of Hawke's Bay can gain the opportunity to represent their country on the world stage," says Lachie.
"I've got the motivation and I'm not afraid of the mahi, but any success I've had so far is definitely a team effort, an amalgamation of family, coach, club and local community support – as none of us achieve anything on our own, it's definitely humbling."
The trip to the world championships in Bulgaria this November will cost $10,000 for Lachie and Wayne to attend and is fully self-funded.
A givealittle page has been created to support their fundraising towards flights, accommodation and competition licence fees. givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-lachie-to-represent-nz-at-the-trampoline