Brisbane schoolgirl wins gold at the World Aquatics Junior Diving Championships

She’s just 14 years old, but Maggie Grey is already making a splash on the global stage - winning a gold medal at the World Aquatics Junior Diving Championships.

The schoolgirl, who lives in Thornlands, on Brisbane’s bayside, flew to Brazil for the competition, where she won the 10-metre platform event as well as picking up a silver medal in the team event.

Although she’s only been diving four years, with financial support and mentorship through our $1 Million Challenge, Maggie’s got LA2028 firmly in her sights.

The Challenge, which is powered by Ampol, pairs 100 emerging athletes with 100 businesses with the aim of raising $10,000 per athlete.

As a result of the program, Maggie has raised $11,000 to help with training and competition costs and has also set up her own business Betty’s Berries – selling chocolate covered strawberries at markets across Southeast Queensland. In addition, she’s now sponsored by Aussie company Kozii, which supplies all her swimwear.

Maggie said the AAF had been a huge source of support over the past year.

“It’s really helped drive me with the fundraising and I’ve learned a lot about sponsorship,” she said.

“The big dream is LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032.

“I’ve always wanted to go to a Games and thought diving would be the best pathway for me. I honestly just love the adrenalin.”

Maggie, who attends Faith Lutheran College Redlands on a sports scholarship, started her green and gold journey as a gymnast when she was eight, but transitioned to diving a couple of years later. She undertakes specialist training through the Queensland Academy of Sport, and trains six days a week at the Sleeman Sports Complex at Chandler.

Mum Tiffany said she was a force to be reckoned with.

“Maggie’s very entrepreneurial and headstrong and has dreamed of going to the Olympics since the age of eight,” she said.

“As the highest scoring diver going into these world championships, we hoped she would do well but we would have been proud of her regardless.

“Thanks to the fundraising we managed through AAF I got to go to Brazil with Maggie and was watching poolside. I get extremely nervous when she’s up on the platform and sometimes find myself holding my breath or closing my eyes.”

Our $1 Million Challenge is almost at an end, but we have now launched a new initiative – Elevate 20 – which Maggie is also taking part in. The program aims to support 20 elite and emerging athletes to take their fundraising efforts to new heights with increased education and mentorship.

Five-time Olympian and AAF founder Natalie Cook said Maggie’s journey reflected what’s possible when athletes have both financial support and guidance.

“Maggie is a fantastic example of a young athlete who embodies the determination and resilience needed to reach the highest levels of sport,” she said.

“She’s not only incredibly talented but also has the entrepreneurial spirit to fund her own dreams, and we’re thrilled to support her through the AAF.”

The World Aquatics Junior Diving Championships took place in Rio de Janeiro from 24 November to 1 December 2024, and featured more than 250 up-and-coming elite divers between the ages of 14-18 representing more than 40 countries.

Congratulations to Maggie – we can’t wait to see what she does next!