SWAS 2023: Jetty swim grant carves pathway for development opportunity for teen

A new partnership between the South West Academy of Sport and Busselton Jetty Swim committee has opened the door for a Busselton teenager to receive the same high-level of support as other young regional athletes on elite sporting pathways.

Seventeen-year-old Finn Wright, who is captain of Busselton Swimming Club as well as a trainee swimming teacher and coach, was identified as a swimmer in the Busselton community worthy of receiving a talent development opportunity.

The chance for the Busselton Jetty Swim competitor to grow through access to the SWAS Individual Athlete Support Program has been made possible through a grant offered up by the Busselton Jetty Swim Committee.

“This is a great opportunity for Finn to be supported as an athlete so he gets all the benefits that most of our top athletes get,” SWAS chief executive Bernice Butlion said.

To equip athletes with the tools for success on and off the sporting field, a holistic approach is taken to the development of promising young sports men and women in the program.

Examples of support provided include meeting training costs, specialised coaching, strength and conditioning services, nutrition assessment, athlete career and education, and access to a sport psychologist and physiotherapist.

The Year 12 St Mary MacKillop College student, who enjoys being part of a team and the swimming community, was grateful for the chance to improve on the water.

“I’ve been noticed by SWAS – and it’s pretty cool,” Finn said.

“Swimming, especially if you’re doing one small thing wrong in one stroke and you’re doing a hundred strokes in one event, it builds up and builds up – and it becomes a real problem. That’s probably the hardest thing – being able to fix the tiniest small things before they become a big problem.”

Finn’s goals include being around the top competitors and beating the person he has to beat.

“I want to be around the sport and around the people and see them winning and be part of their victory,” he said.