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Francesca Halsall Age 15
Date of birth: 12.04.90
Born: Southport
Lives: Southport,
Liverpool
Nickname: Franny-babes!
Club: City of Liverpool
Coach: Colin Stripe
Height: 1.75m
Weight: 58kg
TRAINS: Everton Park Sports Centre
OCCUPATION: Student
First sporting success:
Winning my club championships when I was 9
Finest sporting moment: Winning the 50m freestyle at
the British Championships (2005). Also winning four
gold medals at the Australian National Age Group
Championships in Perth (2004)
Tips for the top: Have fun and enjoy what you do
otherwise there’s no point
Year of first GB selection: 2003
Sporting heroes: Paula Radcliffe and Sir Steve Redgrave
Closest friends in sport: All the girls at Liverpool, Lizzie
Simmonds (Lincoln Vulcans) and Charlotte Wright
(Kingston Royals)
Other sporting successes: I was cross-county champion
when I was younger
Favourite other sport: Anything I can be good at - I’m
really competitive! I’m a Manchester United fan and
so is my Dad. My Mum and brother support Liverpool
and you wouldn’t believe how much stick we got when
Liverpool won the Champions League!
Three words that best describe you:
Competitive, stubborn and fun-loving
Would most like to meet: Cristiano Ronaldo. I’m
becoming a fan of Kieran Richardson as well though!
Prized possession: My GHD hair straighteners!
Biggest influence: My parents. I also have to say that
Steve Parry has been really supportive too
Any other family connections to sport: My brother
plays football for the local team and he’s also a county
squash player
Toughest opponent: Mel Marshall
Any pets: I have a cat called Trixie and some fish
Biggest passion away from swimming:
Eating pizza! I love the Chicken feast from Pizza Hut.
I also like to go shopping
Favourite venue: In my sleep! When I sleep I always win
in my dreams so that is definitely the best venue!
Tips to relax: Chill out with friends and eat pizza!
Education: I’m studying for my GCSE’s. My options are
Spanish and History - I love history
Family: My Mum is called Diane and she works in a job
centre. My Dad is called Andrew and he’s a National
Sales Manager for Choice Finance. My little brother is
called Joe and he’s 11
Ultimate ambition: To win an Olympic gold medal.
I’d love to go to Beijing in 2008
Where do you see yourself in 10 years: Still swimming
and hopefully having competed in two Olympics
Swimming: PBT Long Course
50m Freestyle 25.80 (05)
100m Freestyle 55.69 (05)
200m Freestyle 2.03.45 (05)
100m Backstroke 1.03.78 (06)
200m Backstroke 2.19.02 (05)
200m I.M. 2.23.18 (04)
100m Butterfly 1.01.10 (06)
Career highlights:
British Champion in the 50m freestyle and winner of
three medals at the European Junior Championships
2005
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