Julio's story

Variety Heart Scholarship recipient Julio, 12, has a passion for the ice. 

Discovering not just that he loved ice skating, but that he was good at it was a defining moment for Julio. Now he works hard to take every opportunity to skate he can. 

Still a young man, Julio is competing against boys older than him and doing well. Julio has been competing at the NSW state championship since 2015winning his events each year. In 2017 and 2018 Julio won Australian Figure Skating Championship in Basic Novice division, recently moving to Advance Novice.  In the new division, he competed at the Hollins Trophy, again winning his event. 

At State, he won both of his events and qualified for International competition to represent Australia. In May 2019 Julio competed in Melbourne in the International competition ISU Oceania, Basic Novice men division – Julio won this event. 

When asked who his greatest supporter has been, said Julio “My mom doing it all. She is my coach and she is supporting me all the way. I wouldn’t be where I am without her.” 

Only in year 8, Julio knows he needs to do well at school too, ensuring his training doesn’t affect his grades. When Julio has free time he loves spending it with his friends, going to the beach, cinemas, bike riding but its hard for him to find free time in his busy training schedule. 

In 2018 Julio received a Variety Heart Scholarship in Sport for ice skating.  

The Scholarship was awarded to cover Entry/Competition fees, Lessons/Tuition, Equipment, Uniforms, Travel, and Accommodation. Julio’s focus for the year ahead is to improve his skills to compete on Worlds level in the future and eventually, qualify for the Olympics.