The Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next month is now the official destination of Tauranga boxer Ariane Nicholson.

About two weeks ago The Sun spoke with Ariane while she was eagerly waiting to hear if she had been selected for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The call has now come through. 'I'm still pinching myself, not unbelievable but so exciting,” says Ariane.

She will hit the ground running, with the games running from July 28 to August 8 in the UK.

'We leave next Thursday for Ireland for a pre-competition training camp for 10 days and then onto Birmingham for the games,” says Ariane.

The selection announcement has brought a new sense of urgency to Ariane's routines.

'Work has got crazy because they realise I'm leaving for six weeks, so I'm just trying to juggle everything with the intensity of the training – you want to pick up that little bit more knowing you're now officially in the team,” says Ariane.

'Work is just bonkers and I'm trying to get on top of all of that before I get away.”

Regardless of the sphere, dreams generally carry costs, and Ariane's is no exception – but help is appreciated.

'There is a portion of it [the campaign costs] that is covered by High Performance Sport but being away from work for six weeks isn't easy.

'Someone set up a Givealittle page for me – which is amazing, and it's called ‘If You Can Dream It You Can Do It'.”

Tauranga Boxing, Ariane's gym, has fully thrown its weight behind her campaign.

'TGA Boxing has been amazing; they are over the moon for me. The members have been and are so supportive. They've been giving and donating to my Givealittle page. My coach is also gleaming – it's as big a thing for him as it is for me,” says Ariane.

Ariane's coach, Chris walker, is proud of the progress Ariane has made. 'To qualify, Ariane defended her national title earlier this year and one of the big things she had to do was a box off with an Australian team that came over about three or four weeks ago – and she had to win that. She did both those things, which cemented her place in the team,” says Chris.

He reckons Ariane's selection is just the beginning and will fuel her motivation to win.

'Now that she knows, it's given her a jump start and she's really fired up, rearing to go, and really looking forward to it.” We wish Ariane and Chris all the best for the games.