The dream of representing New Zealand at the Australian Gymnastic Nationals is coming true for 16-year-old Lily Arnold.

She is competing in the championships at the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre in Queensland this weekend.

Lily began her journey in the sport of trampolining at the age of nine. In the seven years since then, she has won many medals at regional and national levels, but this competition is a big step up.

Lily is competing in three disciplines — tumbling, trampoline and double mini tramp — in a three-day schedule that ends tomorrow. She is also competing in a synchronised tramp event with Lucy Jujnovich from the Icon Club in Auckland.

To compete at this level, Lily had to reach the high qualification marks set, which meant full concentration on training and developing the higher skills.

This she did and she has also achieved qualification for the world champs in Birmingham in November.