Coolbinia Primary student ‘the Fish’ looking to make a splash in the NT

The Coolbinia Primary School student, who trains three times a week at City of Stirling-based Terry Tyzack Aquatic Centre, hopes to swim for Australia at the Olympics.

“It’s a big dream; I want to be really good at something that not many people are good at; I’m really proud of myself,” she said.

“My personal best is 45 seconds for 50m breaststroke, there’s only one girl quicker than me from Victoria.”

Her impressive speed, technique and natural swimming ability earned her the top spot for her age in WA for breaststroke and she has just been selected to represent WA at the State School Nationals to be held in Darwin in September.

The Riverside Swimming Club member will swim 11 races.

Mother Lorraine said with Emily one of the smaller competitors, she was thrilled to see her daughter succeed at the sport at a national level.

“When you go to these events these children are huge. She swam in an open recently and there were eight children up to 14 and she won the heat as a nine-year-old,” she said. “She just flies through the water. You don’t have to be tall and big and strong. She’s just like a bullet; her technique is great.”

Emily’s father Phil, a former UK regional swimming champion, said the family would support her dreams.

To help Emily get to Darwin, visit www.gofundme.com/2eecyenw.