:: Young Celebrity Spotlight - Melanie Adams

By: Carmine Pascuzzi

Melanie Adams is a name we hope to hear and cheer at the time of the London Olympic Games in 2012. She is a young woman from Yarrambat in Victoria. At age nineteen, standing at 1.71m, with the beach blonde look and with exceptional fitness, Melanie has already achieved much. She has entered and done well in talent quests, been a promotional model at several car racing events, and is a fierce competitor in the athletics world - her field of expertise is pole-vault.

Her charm and charisma has endeared herself to various talent competitions and she has been placed in Miss Teen Australia and the Bartercard Miss V8 Supercar quests. I had the pleasure of having a chat to Melanie as she heads towards the upcoming Australian athletics.

Tell us about your background and growing up?

I have lived in Yarrambat in Victoria on a farm all my life. We have 33 acres and had horses, cats, dogs all the time. From about the age of 14 I wanted to start modelling and entered a couple of competitions. That’s how I got into Miss Teen Australia. I just entered the Victorian section and got through to the finals in 2006. ADPRO Management is helping build up my profile with various jobs although it’s a bit hard when I’m in Melbourne and they’re in Sydney.

Who are your role models?

In the modelling world I’ve always admired Elle McPherson because she is stunning and beautiful. Now, I like Jennifer Hawkins because she can put a sentence together in front of the camera. For sport, my role models have been Cathy Freeman and the current pole vault champions.

Tell us about pole-vaulting?

My first national competition was when I was 11 – for high jump. I started doing heptathlons and then pole vault. It’s a strong sport for women. Lots of young girls are training in pole vault. It’s a fun and exciting sport compared to other track and field sports. Everybody wants to follow in the footsteps of Tatiana Grigoreyeva and what she did in the 2000 Olympics.

You’ve done quite a few other things along the way too…

I’ve been lucky enough to do promotional work for the V8 Supercars series. The addition of girls has added some glamour and is good for the sport’s image. Miss Teen Australia was a great experience. I met some wonderful girls. I’ve also done the Australian Swimsuit Calendar in 2007 – shot in Surfers’ Paradise and was featured in Zoo Weekly magazine. It will be out in 2008.

What is your favourite other sport?

My favourite sport is horse riding.

Are you gearing up for international competitions like the Olympic and Commonwealth Games in the next few years?

I am planning to compete in trials for the 2010 Commonwealth Games. I had a setback last year when I broke my foot but resumed training in February this year and I’m confident I can improve enough by the next athletics season.

Do you have any lifestyle tips?

I am also a personal trainer. It’s a hectic life so I look to relax as often as I can in between the work. To be healthy you should eat lots of fruit and vegetables and drink lots of water.

What is your favourite music?

House music, Top 40

What are your characteristics?

Always optimistic; I have a competitive edge without going overboard.

Is it still a struggle for Australian track and field participants to attract enough sponsorship?

I am trying to get sponsorship for the poles I require to succeed. Each pole costs about $600 and I need about 10 of them. I am part of a club and we share, but I need to obtain new poles if I am to improve my standard. It’s difficult to buy new poles because you need to get new ones every month or so.

What are your ambitions?

Immediate - to jump 4m 20cm this coming season and do well at the national titles early next year
Long-term - Commonwealth Games, Olympic Games, World titles
To help other people realise they can achieve dreams. I would also like to enter the Miss Universe pageant.

ADPRO Management Group
contact Grant Dwyer (02) 9327.4277