Deloraine teenager Leuca McLeod has just returned from Portugal where he won silver at the Trampolining World Cup in Coimbra in June.

In Portugal McLeod was the youngest competitor in the field.

“As it was my first time competing at a senior level, I would have been over the moon just to get into finals,” said McLeod.

“Getting a medal was mind blowing.” 

McLeod’s final pass was a triple forward somersault with a 180 degree twist followed by a triple back somersault onto the landing mat.

Both were in tuck position.

“It’s quite a tricky pass. It was also a personal best for me,” says McLeod, clearly happy with the result.

The sixteen year old trains two days a week a PCYC in Launceston. Once a week he travels to Hobart to train at Kingsborough Gymnastics where two of the Australian coaches are based.

McLeod also coaches younger gymnasts at PCYC two days a week.

He has been trampolining since he was about three years old. 

After success in Portugal, McLeod hopes to compete at the World Age Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria in November.

He has been nominated for the Australian team again, but needs to attend national squad training on the Gold Coast in September.

If selected for the Australian team he will compete in open double mini trampoline and under 22 trampolining and synchronised trampolining events. 

After family and friends helped the teenager get to Portugal, Leuca wants to do his bit to raise the money to travel to Bulgaria.

He’s contributing his 1000 Swiss Francs prize money won in Portugal with money I get from coaching towards the trip.

He hopes that Tasmanian businesses might be willing to join him in fundraising for the World Age Championships.

Leuca has set up a fundraising account for businesses and readers who would like to support his attendance: https://gofund.me/6fc16596