STU PIDDINGTON

Last updated17:38, June 22 2017

JOHN BISSET/FAIRFAX NZ

Sprinter athlete Anna Hayward is excited to be representing New Zealand for the first time.

South Canterbury sprinter athleteAnnaHayward is looking forward to her busy schedule at theOceania Area and Combined Events Championships in Fiji.

Hayward is set to run the 100m and 200m sprints plus the 400m in Suva.

"It is really exciting, I can't wait."

JOHN BISSET/FAIRFAX NZ

Winter training in all weather has been a hard slog for Anna Hayward, but she was rewarded with selection to the New Zealand team for the first time.

It the first time the 17-year-old has represented New Zealand.

She departs on Sunday with her first event on Thursday.

Hayward's busy schedule could even get more hectic if she is selected in relay team.

Athletics New Zealand has already invited her to join their expanded relay squad, which trains for major events.

Hayward has been doing athletics since was 10, but has really come to the fore over the past couple of seasons.

Her favoured event is the 400m.

"I like it as it is much more of a challenge, I am not sure why, but it is a hard race and it takes a bit to recover."

Hayward said she was not sure who she would be up against.

"There will be Australians and quite a few of the island nations represented."

Her goal is to put her best foot forward and look to lower her personal best times.

"I'm not sure of anyone else'stimes."

Hayward's selection came after putting in the hardworkoverthe winter, which she admitted at time had been quite tough inthe cold.

"Mylast competition was the beginning of April."

She was thankful to walker Alice Ritchie, who had at times trained with her.

Hayward's dedication however saw her pull out of the Craighead senior hockey team to concentrate on athletics.

"I wanted to giveit my full focus and didn't want to sustain an injury."

The Craighead runner wasone of 55 Kiwi athletes named to go butis the only one from South Canterbury attending the the five-day championships, which features senior, under-20 and under-18 competitions.

She has trained six days a week with on Fridays off.

Coach Grant Lord said Hayward was deserving of selection.

"She had worked really hard. It is also great she has been included in the wider New Zealand relay squad, a bit like Jacob Matson was a couple of years ago."

Lord said South Canterbury had a proud record when it came to young athletes going to Oceania.

"Anna has kept that going and I am she she will perform very well."

-Stuff

Read the original:

Sprinter Anna Hayward set for Oceania championships - Timaru Herald