ANZ Sports Scene episode 12: Kiwi teen has the drive to perform at Comm Games

Stella Ebert may be one of the younger members of the New Zealand Commonwealth Games team but she has a wise head on her shoulders.

ANZ Sports Scene caught up with the 15-year-old rhythmic gymnast ahead of her debut at the Commonwealth Games in April.

Ebert has dominated the New Zealand rhythmic gymnastics scene for two years and secured a notable eighth at the Pacific Rim Championships in the US.

She told ANZ Sports Scene that she fell in love with the sport while watching during a junior gymnastics class.

"I saw the rhythmic girls on the other floor and I thought 'that looks pretty cool'. I just fell in love with the sport from the first day I got here.

The teenager said balancing school work and training is a challenge but the hard work and sacrifices was all worth it when she was added to the New Zealand team earlier this month.

"Definitely I miss out on things with friends but I wouldn't have it any other way. I know I'm working towards my goal and that was the Commonwealth Games and I finally achieved it, so it's all worth it.

"I'm quite organised and dedicated. I get home from training and the first thing I do is school work. Make sure everything is done and do it again the next day."

Ebert will be among a seven-strong New Zealand gymnastics team for the Gold Coast Games which begin on April 5.

Also in today's episode, All Black and Blues star Matt Duffie caught up with Marc Peard ahead of the upcoming Super Rugby season.
Duffie, who made his All Blacks debut in 2017, reveals what accolade he really wants to achieve in his rugby career.

Peard also talked to former All Blacks coach about a dinner they had in a flash French restaurant with All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu and who ended up fitting the bill.

Watch previous episodes:
ANZ Sports Scene: The Kiwi siblings gunning for gold
ANZ Sports Scene: What it takes to go flying down a hill
ANZ Sports Scene: The meaning behind the tats