Cook Islands sporting youngster Nicol Tiaore has been given the opportunity to attend a two to three weeks United States Sports Visitor Programme next month.

The 18-year-old says she is excited to be part of the leadership programme and looks forward to meeting new people and learning new sporting skills and techniques.

Tiaore has been participating in a number of sports from a young age in the Cook Islands.

The former Tereora College student plays touch rugby, rugby league, football, netball and was recently part of the Cook Islands handball team that finished third at the Oceania Beach Handball Championships on the Gold Coast, Australia.

The US programme is fully funded by the US Embassy and Tiaore is one of the five participants selected alongside one from Niue and three from New Zealand.

The US Sports programme selects those who show a passion for football and participate in a range of volunteer work in the community.

At the programme Tiaore will participate in sports training and off the field or classroom workshops and community engagements.

Tiaore, who is an intern at Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC), acknowledged Raukura Ellison and Keziah Lewis for encouraging her to take part in the programme.

She says her inspiration has always been her mum who always tells her to “put God first”.

Tiaore’s advice to young athletes, sportsmen and women is to “keep moving forward and chase your dreams”.