Harkin has qualified for the NSW swim team to compete at the 2008 Pacific School Games in Canberra, starting on November 30. The Louth Park youngster will go up against the best 10-year-old school children from 20 Pacific nations.

Harkin was one of two NSW students to qualify for the 10-years 50m freestyle and the 200m individual medley.

It will be the East Maitland Public School student’s highest level of competition in her short and fruitful career, capping off an outstanding year on the State’s school swimming circuit.

Harkin swam her way into the international meet with two gold medal performances, one silver and two bronze at the NSW State championships at Homebush in August.

And if you have ever wondered what goes through the mind of our greatest Olympians as they dive onto the world stage, this Louth Park student might have given us a glimpse of what that is.

“I don’t really get nervous, I just worry sometimes when I dive in I might be doing the wrong stroke,” Harkin said.

All Saints College, St Joseph’s Campus, Lochinvar student Matthew Roberts is Maitland’s only other qualifying swimmer. He will compete in the 15 years 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke and 100m butterfly.

The opportunity to compete at the Games at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, comes at a price for the State’s school sports stand-outs.

A cost of $1200 is associated with being in the NSW team for the event and East Maitland Public School has responded to requests that the school’s get involved in raising funds for their competitors.

The school held a fundraising pizza day for Harkin, where they raised almost $600 to go towards her Pacific campaign.