To View - Sydney University Sport

AYI called my mumand said “I’m doingsome testing forSpeedo,” and she said“Oh my Goddoes that makeyou the newLara Bingle?”ROAR: How have you found yourtime as part of the Elite AthleteProgram (EAP)?I guess during my first year at SydneyUni I was a little bit out of it after theHSC. I didn’t have the best attitudetowards my swimming. I didn’t reallyknow what to expect at Uni, but theElite Athlete Program helped me inregards to my diet, tutoring, a gymprogram and they introduced me tothe best facilities.ROAR: You have been veryproactive in regards to networkingat our EAP induction evenings,where you have spoken, and afew other events. How have theseevents helped you?Well, one of those events helpedme to get a job. After one of thoseevenings I met with a guy and heset up a job interview for me with acompany in the city. It’s really helpedme build up some professionalcontacts, and getting that job will helpme in the future.ROAR: What was it like assistingSpeedo with some testing on theirswimsuits last year?It was great, although my mum had astrange response when I told her that I’dbe working with Speedo (laughs). I calledmy mum and said “I’m doing sometesting for Speedo,” and she said “Ohmy God does that make you the newLara Bingle?” (laughs). And I said “Nomum, no it doesn’t” (laughs). I’d call itscientific testing, not so much modelling.ROAR: What’s your take on thebanning of non-textile swim suits?Well it was actually the best thing tohappen to me because before thosesuits were banned I decided not tospend $700 on a swim suit. A lot of mycompetitors had gotten used to thosesuits, and when they (FINA) bannedthe suits their times all blew out byabout a second, whereas I was rightup there.ROAR: You are currently sportinga supportive brace on your rightwrist, what happened?Over-training (laughs). No it occurreddoing wheel barrows. They’re muchharder than when you were five(laughs). They form part of our dryland training, and coming into anOlympic year, this type of training willcontinue to be very important duringour preparations. It’s all about swim,gym, run and body pump.ROAR: Of all the strokes to swim,why did you choose butterfly,arguably the least fun stroke?The least fun? (Laughs) Breaststroke isthe least fun! Breaststroke isn’t even areal stroke. It’s a survival stroke!WWW.SUSF.COM.AU 9