Two Timaru school scullers, Emma Weith and Emma Dyke, have been selected to represent New Zealand at the Australian Youth Olympics Festival in Sydney.

It is a big moment for Weith, as she becomes the first pupil from Timaru Girls' High School to represent New Zealand in rowing.

Dyke's has been a rapid rise, having only been sculling for two seasons, but she is already a Maadi Cup champion.

Weith and Dyke trialled together at Lake Karapiro in a double and impressed by beating the Maadi Cup winners.

In Sydney, in January, they will have a busy time as they compete as part of a Kiwi eight, four and pair.

The regatta is part of an international multi-sport event organised by the Australian Olympic Committee, and has been held biennially since its first successful event in 2001.

Dyke represented the South Island against the North earlier this year and Weith also impressed at the Maadi Cup, making the under-17 A-grade final in the single.

For both it will be their first foray into tough international competition.

Dyke said she was excited by the opportunity, which was huge.

"We go to a 10-day training camp on December 29 and the festival starts on January 16."

Weith said she was really looking forward to Sydney, as she had not rowed for anyone outside Timaru Girls' High School.

As the two girls row for different schools, they plan to get together at least once a week to train.

Eight boys and eight girls and two coxes from across the country have been selected for the team.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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