This Melbourne teen trains 30 hours a week for her Commonwealth Games dream

While her school friends sleep in and spend their free time relaxing, Jade Vella-Wright trains a grueling 30-hours-a-week schedule as she attempts to become the best in her field.

Jade Vella-Wright

Source: SBS

She only just turned 16, but Jade Vella-Wright knows exactly what she wants and is devoting every minute to achieving it.

The teen trains over 30-hours-a-week at the Waverley Gymnastics Centre - that's produced several Olympic gymnasts - as well as maintaining a scholarship at elite Melbourne high school Wesley College.

Free time isn't a concept she's familiar with, but she said the results will be worth it.
Jade Vella-Wright on the uneven bars
Jade Vella-Wright on the uneven bars Source: SBS
"Obviously we don't have lots of time to do things with friends and we have to eat the right stuff, but if it's going to get you to the top it's definitely worth it," she said.

And the top is just where she's headed.

Jade was born in Nanning, China, where she was adopted by her American-born mother and Australian father.

She moved to Melbourne when she was 10 months old, and by the time she was four she was already showing signs of talent in gymnastics.
Jade Vella-Wright 11 months old
Jade Vella-Wright 11 months old Source: SBS
But mum Diane Wright said it's her daughters work ethic that makes her a force to be reckoned with.

"She's put in over 10 years of hard work it would be wonderful to see her achieve something with all this hard work," she said.

Her achievements are already stacking up.

Jade has competed in France and the Czech Republic, and in the junior internationals she's the current beam and floor Australian champion.

Coach John Hart said it's a fierce determination driving her success.
Coach John Hart
Coach John Hart Source: SBS
"She's always giving 100 per cent, she's always focused, she's very much a high achiever in everything she does," he said.

Coach Hart said the focus for Jade over the next 18 months will be to build up her international competition experience, with the long-term goal of a 2018 Commonwealth Games debut.

Her biggest test now, he says, is emerging from the juniors to the seniors category.
Jade Vella-Wright 4 years old
Jade Vella-Wright 4 years old Source: SBS
"It's nerve-wracking just to know where you're placed amongst that field when you come from a junior into the senior ranks," he said. "It's your first real test and she's certainly stepped up to the challenge."

The teen has found a role model in dual Olympic gymnast Larrissa Miller.

Miller is a mentor to many of the young girls at the gym, and hopes to be an example of what can be possible.

"I think I just go back to telling them you need to do what you love," she said. "Work really hard everyday because who knows what could happen I used to be exactly like you."

It leaves Jade dreaming of gold medals and perfect landings - no matter how many attempts it takes.
Larrissa Miller speaks with Jade Vella-Wright
Larrissa Miller speaks with Jade Vella-Wright Source: SBS

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By Abby Dinham


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