This content is courtesy of blueseventy, a swimswam partner.
Blueseventy has been backing up and coming talent since it was established in 2001. Now is your opportunity to join team blueseventy and emulate the success of junior stars such as James Guy.
Blueseventy is dedicated to supporting talented young swimmers. Following the London Olympics, blueseventy began its search for the next generation to join team blueseventy and to support on the road to Rio2016.
Among those selected for the team was James Guy, an unknown athlete on the senior international circuit at the time. James’ potential was clear to blueseventy and shortly after joining the team, James was selected to compete at the World School Games in Brazil. At the time, James said:
Jame Guy, 2013 FINA Junior World Championships (Image Courtesy of Colin Blair video capture)
“Competing in Brazil will be great experience, there’s been such a buzz after the Olympics it’s made me realise how much I want to be at Rio 2016. Over the next few years I want to win European Juniors and medal at the World Youths. It’s hard work, but achieving goals makes it all worthwhile, and the support from blueseventy is going to help me do that.”
James did exactly this, becoming double European Junior Champion, storming to three medals at the World Junior Championships, and capping off his season with fifth place finish at his senior international debut at the FINA World Championships in Barcelona.
Sponsorship in swimming tends to be reserved for swimmers already at the top and training full time. But should it not be those on their way to the top (and their parents), who have to juggle training, education and the costs of swimming, that need the support the most?
This is why blueseventy is dedicated to helping the next generation, because how can you expect to get a depth of excellence at the top of a sport, when getting there is an uphill struggle? The idea of team blueseventy is to give swimmers, like James, the boost to take them to the next level.
Since coming on board with blueseventy, Loughborough University swimmer Adam Barrett has made his first British team and finished third at the British Championships, narrowly missing out on qualifying for the World Championships. He now has his sights on qualifying for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next summer. Barrett said:
“Blueseventy’s support gave me a big confidence boost going into last season, and I’ve got some really good results racing in blueseventy this season. At the moment I’ve got a realistic chance of qualifying for Glasgow and I’m working hard to make it with the help of blueseventy.”
Georgia Davies (image courtesy of blueseventy)
Welsh backstroke sprint star Georgia Davies was also part of the team last season. Having already won a medal at the Commonwealth Games medal in Delhi 2010, Georgia went into last season with the hope of reaching finals at an international level. Competing in nero, Georgia finished 4th and 5th in the 50 and 100-metre backstroke respectively at the World Short Course Championships, double gold at the Eindhoven Swim Cup, and a 6th place finish in the 50-metre backstroke at the World Championships.
Alys Thomas (image courtesy of blueseventy)
Blueseventy’s other Commonwealth hopefuls for 2016 include Scottish all-rounder Ross Muir and Welsh butterfly specialist Alys Thomas.
Blueseventy is now looking for the next member of team blueseventy for the 2013/2014 season. If you would like to be considered to be part of team blueseventy and receive kit sponsorship for the year, then please send your race CV and a short message to Becky at [email protected]. This offer is open to swimmers in the UK and Ireland only.
The lucky swimmer will be announced on the blueseventy blog next month. You can view blueseventy’s range of FINA approved race swimwear and training kit by visiting www.blueseventy.com.
Follow Blueseventy on Twitter here.
Like Blueseventy on Facebook here.
This content is courtesy of blueseventy, a swimswam partner.
