The 9th Down Syndrome World Swimming Championships kick off this Friday 20th July and we are proud to have four Victorian swimmers on Team Australia. Bradley Doolan (Geelong), Stephanie Dunning (Peninsula Hurricanes), Madeline Fox (DVE Aquatic) and Phoebe Mitchell (Geelong) have travelled to Canada for the Championships and are joined by Head Coach, John Beckworth and Team Manager, Sadat Hussain.
Held in Truro, the championships will play host to over 500 swimmers from 24 countries. Australia has a successful history at this biannual event, having won the ‘Champion Country’ and top male and female swimmer, as well as an abundance of medals in previous years. 20 swimmers are representing Team Australia and they are hoping to continue the success at these championships.
Let’s meet our Victorian team members…
Bradley Doolan
Bradley, aged 24, began swimming when he was 5 and turned to competitive swimming in 2010. A passionate breaststroker and backstroker, Brad can't wait to take to the pool in Canada. He first represented Down Syndrome Swimming Australia (DSSA) at the World Games in Florence and was delighted to make 3 finals. Bradley also proudly represented Victoria at the recent Special Olympics National Games where he also had great success.
Stephanie Dunning
27-year-old, Stephanie has perfected her preferred strokes of butterfly and freestyle through training with the Peninsula Hurricanes and Westernport Special Olympics. Stephanie is excited to compete at the championships and represent Australia. Having honed her skills, over the last few years, at many regional competitions, Stephanie can’t wait to swim her hardest in Canada!
Madeline Fox
Madeline is one of the newest members of Team Australia. Although aged only 20, Maddy has been swimming for many years with DVE Aquatic and Melbourne Inner East Special Olympics. Maddy loves swimming the 200m and 50m Freestyle and 50m butterfly, so watch for her in Canada! Her goal is to be in the world's top 30 in the 200m Free as well as continuing to be a member of Team Australia in years to come. Given Maddy's multiple Gold, Silver and Bronze medals at DSSA Championships and Special Olympics Nationals in the past two years, we're sure to see and hear a lot more about Maddy!
Phoebe Mitchell
A veteran on Team Australia, 26-year-old Phoebe, has swum at every World DS Championship since 2008, 3 times taking the title of Top Female Swimmer, with 15 world records to her name. Phoebe is looking forward to competing in her pet strokes, breaststroke and backstroke in Canada and to be a part of Team Australia as a mentor to younger swimmers. Over the past 3 years, Phoebe has participated in several long-distance Pier to Pub races, DSSA National Swimming Championships and received many accolades for her contribution to sport in the Surf Coast area of Victoria, She was recently a baton bearer for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
We wish these swimmers and all of Team Australia the very best of luck in Canada. For updates throughout the championships, follow Down Syndrome Swimming Australia’s Facebook page and for more information about the 9th DSISO World Swimming Championships, click here.
