Background

Scouted at a local gymnastic competition in WA when she was 10, Sharleen travelled to Brisbane for a six month trial and her family subsequently moved permanently from the mining town she grew up in. At 12 years of age in 1999, Sharleen wasn't enjoying gymnastics so when a talent ID program came looking for ex-gymnasts to try out for diving, Sharleen got involved.

2004 was her first year competing at the open nationals and in the following year she claimed the National title in the 1m and 3m and started competing with Chantelle Newbery in the 3m synchro event. But it was with team-mate Bree Cole that her future lay, after the girls were paired together only six weeks prior to the 2005 World Championships. They finished a credible 8th place.

Sharleen competed at the 2005 Australian Youth Olympic Festival, winning two gold. The following year she and Cole won gold at the Commonwealth Games in the 3m synchro. They have both claimed the Australian title in the same event in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and have twice broken the Australian record, which they currently hold.

Sharleen was also the 3m National Champion in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009, and is currently studying psychology though Open Universities Australia.