Barry dad's pride as daughter realises Olympic dream

James Trew, and his brother, Jon, who both hail from Barry, have spoken of their pride as daughter Ruby was selected to skateboard for her country at the Olympics. 

Ruby has been competing nationally for years (Image: James Trew) Teenager Ruby, 15, has finally achieved a long-held dream of the Olympics, after she was selected to compete for Australia, where she lives after dad James moved out there years ago. 

Ruby has been skateboarding since she was little, and was even supposed to be competing at Tokyo 2020 at just 12 years old, after she won silver at a qualifying event in Barcelona. 

Ruby has been skateboarding since she was little (Image: James Trew) This was despite dad James having some concerns about her young age, but the Games organisers headhunted her directly. 

However, she was forced to change her event at the last minute when her original event, the Vert ramp, a large 30 foot U-shaped ramp, was dropped as an Olympic sport. 

She then switched to park skateboarding, where she has to perform tricks in a stage that resembles a large bowl. 

Ruby is competing for Australia, after dad James moved there from Barry (Image: James Trew) However, worse was still to come, after a member of the team tested positive for Covid with days to go, meaning the entire team was unable to compete. 

Uncle Jon Trew explained: "This has been a long time coming, years in fact. She's been waiting since those last Games to have her shot, and we're all really proud of her."

Sadly, Ruby placed ninth in her event on Tuesday, after a fall resulted in her being deducted ten points and missing out on a place in the final by one place, as only the top eight qualified. 

Ruby was expected to compete in Tokyo 2020, but couldn't after a team member tested positive for Covid (Image: James Trew) Her dad James gave up his job a few years ago to train Ruby full time, who is also the under-16 surfing champion in Australia. 

He has said he is "so proud" of his daughter for finally achieving her dream. 

The entire family are 'so proud' of Ruby for realising her Olympic dream (Image: James Trew) Uncle Jon added: "We're all so pleased to see her doing something she loves, and doing it so well. 

"It's a shame she missed out on the final this time - but she's still so young so there's plenty of time left for her.

"My brother loves the sport, and it's wonderful to see the special relationship they have."