Now the Nowra-Culburra SLSC product's dream has become a reality after she, along with Mollymook's Sam Zustovich, was named in the Australian Youth Life Saving Team (AYLT).

"I am so honoured and excited to be been named in the Australian team - I can't wait for the incredible experience," Abbey said.

"It is amazing to see all the training, travel and 12 years of hard work and enjoyment come together to make this team.

"It's one of those things you sort of always think would be cool to do but never a dream I thought was possible until recently - to being given this opportunity to actually compete for them is beyond amazing.

"I'm so privileged to be able to make that dream a reality and I can't wait to see the trip all play out.

"This means the training, particularly leading into the beginning of next season ahead of the world championships, will be tough and hard but I am willing to work to push myself to see how well I am able to perform at my full potential."

This selection comes on the back of a strong season for the 15-year-old, which included her claiming silver in the under 17s female beach sprint at the Aussies.

"My 2018/19 season was a bit up and down," Abbey, who now competes with the Cogee SLSC, said.

"I had some really good moments and achievements that I am proud of, however there was a number of disappointments I came across throughout the season.

"However my season both started and finished strong and for that I am happy.

"I also grew closer with many of my friends and competitors during the season, which always makes the commitment of travel and training worth it."

Abbey, who's season also included a world championships medal and being part of the NSW representative team, credits all of these accomplishments to her tough pre-season, which included field sessions at Mollymook's Bill Andriske Oval and with beach session with Mollymook SLSC coach Sean Hendry.

"Leading up to the beginning of the season, I had started my pre-season training a little earlier this year in preparation for the world championships," she said,

"This year I was also in an age category where I was up to two years younger than my other competitors, so I knew I would have to train hard and work harder to preform well throughout the season."

Abbey will be taking this same approach this season as she prepares for Life Saving World Championships (LWC) 2020 in Italy.

"From this experience, I just want to be able to get out there among people who share the same love for the sport as I do and compete to the best of my ability under the green and gold cap," she said.

"I just want to be able to enjoy this experience, enhance relationships with other athletes and not waste the opportunity to compete with the best in the world."

Before her European adventure though, the Canberra-based athlete wants to continue to shine on the Australian sand - which all starts now with her off-season.

"During the off-season, I will be continuing my athletics training on the track with Matt Beckenham, as well as swimming, touch football and rugby union for a bit of fun and to maintain fitness," she said.

"Surf specific training is hard for me living in Canberra without the natural facilities closely available however I will keep at track and continue working on sprints there as well as completing some strength work.

"I will hopefully look to getting back into some technique work and beach fitness early in pre-season training to set me up.

"Pre-season training will commence later on in the year in preparation for the tough season ahead.

"Next season, my aim is to improve my technique and to perform to the best of my ability at every opportunity.

"I also hope to medal at Aussies for my under 17s sprints and flags at the end of the season."