Dargaville aerobic athlete heading to Phoenix, US to compete

Grace Christey and her Active Attitude teammates put on a fundraiser to help get her Phoenix, Arizona. Photo/John Stone

Community support is helping get Dargaville's Grace Christey to America to compete in aerobics.

The 12-year-old needs to raise just under $7000 to represent New Zealand at the Association of National Aerobics Championships (ANAC) International Aerobic and Youth Aerobics Championships in Phoenix, Arizona from July 28 - August 3.

Christey is the first Northlander to qualify to do the event and the youngest in the 10-strong squad. She is a member of Active Attitude, who put on a fundraising event on Saturday.

Coach Ashleigh McCaw said the event started out at Kensington Stadium in Whangārei where Christey and her teammates put on a 30 minute performance before teaching kids who were interested, basic aerobics movements and a short routine.

Then the fundraiser moved to Dargaville where the athletes did the same thing again.

McCaw said Christey was very focused.

"She's someone who is quite self-directed. She's always wanting to improve herself."

Her mum drives her over to Whangārei twice a week to practise.

She said Christey was tracking well towards the competition and was really well prepared.

"It's a whole new thing, she hasn't been to a competition that size. Regardless of what happens, she'll learn a lot from it."

McCaw said Saturday's event raised $431.50.

Christey's mum Catherine said they had raised $4900 so far, from sponsorship, private donations and fundraisers. She said the money would go towards flights, meals, accommodation, transport, insurance, entry fee, uniform and other administration fees.

She has her first New Zealand team training on Friday and Catherine said she thinks this is when Grace will go "wow this is going to get exciting".

After initially not planning to head to America, Catherine changed her mind and will head over with her parents and sister, Grace's nana and poppa and aunty. It will be their first trip overseas.

"Just to go over and watch her on the international stage."

To help Grace, donate at https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/grace-christey-nzs-youngest-international-aerobic