Commonwealth Games: Kiwi diver big improver ahead of Glasgow

Young New Zealand springboard diver Liam Stone will be taking his schoolbooks to the Commonwealth Games in July. Photo / Greg Bowker

He'll be in Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games but not competing there.

Confused? Don't be. Liam Stone is one of the athletes whose sport is being staged outside the city. Auckland's Stone and Li Feng Yang of Wellington comprise New Zealand's Games diving team, and their event is being contested in Edinburgh.

Stone, 17, is not bothered by the location.

"I think it'll be fine," the Albany Senior High School Year 13 student said.

"There's not much we can do about it but in every other competition we go to, there's no other sports in the team, so whatever exposure we get to the big team will be beneficial."

The pair will spend several days in the athletes' village, which Stone is looking forward to. And he's hoping international competition this year is providing him with steady improvement.

He qualified for the Games with performances at grands prix in Madrid and Rostock earlier in the year and is just back from two more, in Puerto Rico and Mexico, the latter providing him with his first semifinal appearance at top level.

In Puerto Rico the pool was partly outdoors, bringing other elements into play.

"And in Mexico it was very big in terms of publicity, big crowds, cameras, TV, so that was a little taste of what the Commonwealth Games will be like and a good experience."

Stone started diving at 7, partly to emulate his half brother, Nick Lanchance-Stone, who dived for Canada. He believes consistency is the key to improving his performance level, and results. He will contest the 3m and 1m disciplines in Scotland, with Yang, and the synchro, while Yang will also do the 10m platform.

Yang was a late addition to the squad. Distance makes regular training difficult. The pair are going to Shanghai next month for another World Cup meet and will get about 10 days' solid synchro training in.

Yang, who also coaches diving, is 24, and the pair get on well.

But Stone has a simple philosophy about the double event: "It's a matter, as opposed to quantity, of quality. It's a small amount that we make the most of. Obviously it's a little bit difficult, but with training we do tend to get it right."

Stone will arrive in Glasgow with schoolbooks tucked away in his luggage. "That's just part of competing," he said.

Next year Stone is eyeing the prospect of a scholarship to a US college. But that's for later. Glasgow - and Edinburgh - beckon.