The first senior international diving meet of 2025 gets underway tomorrow, as seven Australian divers head across the ditch to Auckland to compete in the Southern Cross Diving Series. 

Rising Aussie stars Zafar Marikar, Ben Wilson and Lachlan Abbott will all make their international senior debut when they take to the West Wave Pool and Leisure Centre in Henderson, Auckland. 

Not only will this be 17-year-old Zafar's first senior meet, but his first as one of the newest members of the National Senior Squad.

Joining Zafar as senior debutants are Ben and Lachlan, who are fresh off a successful World Aquatics Junior World Championships campaign in Brazil. 

Ben has had a particularly busy couple of months - picking up a silver medal in the team event in Brazil and being announced as the latest Diving Australia Athlete Committee member.

However Ben is approaching his first senior event with an open mind.  

“I’m super excited to be invited to my first senior international comp,” said Ben. “It is still very early on in the season so I am not expecting too much from my performance - I’m just trying to get as much experience as I possibly can”. 

Milly Puckeridge and Lauren Flint will also make their return to senior international competition in New Zealand, after injury kept both athletes away from competition in 2024.  

Hudson Skinner will be looking to build on a solid 2024 after reaching the finals in the 3m synchro and springboard events at the Canada Cup. 

Joining Hudson on the team is Nina Phan who will be looking to compete in her second senior international comp after last appearing at the 2023 World University Games in China. 

Travelling with the team is Bree Bryant (Judge), Steve Foley (DA High Performance Director/Team Leader), Rebecca Stafford (Coach), Joel Rodriguez (Coach), Andrew Cameron (Physio) and Melissa Millsteed (Chaperone). 

Coach Rebecca Stafford believes that the meet will expose young senior athletes to the standard required to compete on the international stage.  

“For younger athletes in their first senior international competition, it's a great opportunity to learn from more experienced competitors,” said  Rebecca. 

“The addition of 3m and 10 mixed synchro and team events adds another exciting dimension and I’m confident the team will be returning home with great results. 

“International competitions like this are crucial for developing emerging athletes, providing valuable experience to support future Australian team aspirations and motivate them to push their limits.”

The Southern Cross Series runs from Friday 31 January - Sunday 2 February. 

Schedule 

Lachlan Abbott - 3m Springboard, 3m Springboard Synchro 

Lauren Flint - 10m Platform, 10m Platform Synchro 

Zafar Marikar - 10m Platform, 10m Platform Synchro Mixed 

Nina Phan - 3m Springboard, 3m Springboard Synchro Mixed 

Milly Puckeridge - 10m Platform, 10m Platform Synchro, 10m Platform Synchro Mixed

Hudson Skinner - 3m Springboard, 3m Springboard Synchro Mixed  

Ben Wilson - 3m Springboard, 3m Springboard Synchro