Daisy, aged 11 from Swanage, has won a remarkable three gold medals at the Dorset county swimming championships against the best swimmers in the county for her age group.
The championship took place over two weekends on the 14th and 15th January and the 28th and 29th January 2023 at the Littledown swimming pool in Bournemouth.
Daisy with her medal haul
Gold medallist in three events
The event which attracted 400 swimmers from across Dorset was highly competitive and all those taking part had already succeeded in time trials to win a place at the championships.
Daisy came first in her age group in the 100 metre butterfly, 200 metre breaststroke and the 100 metre individual medley, making her the Dorset county champion 2023 across the three events.
In the pool competiting
“Some mesmerising performances and nail biting finals”
Daisy’s coach Jeff Sandley said:
“What an incredible performance from Daisy, representing the Swim Bournemouth team. She was taking no prisoners in her assault on the championship titles winning an incredible 11 medals overall.
“With some mesmerising performances and nail biting finals this marks Daisy as a force to be reckoned with!
“Daisy will now be back training hard and gaining some experience in 50 metre pools before stepping it up a level to compete in the South West regional championships, going head to head against the best from Dorset, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Gloucester.
“We wish her well and can’t wait to hear all about her results!”
Daisy with her swimming coach Jeff Sandley and the Swim Bournemouth’s junior swimmer of the year trophy
Fierce competitor when she races
Daisy, whose family run the popular Swanage fish and chip shop The Fish Plaice, also won Swim Bournemouth’s junior swimmer of the year trophy at the beginning of January 2023.
As her coach Jeff presented her with the award, he described her as having all the traits to become a future champion. He said:
“She is a fierce competitor when she races. She has quite a scary level of determination when she sets her mind to winning a race – good luck to whoever is against her!
“Daisy is a fantastic young lady and young swimmer.”
Praised for her “scary level of determination”
“Sets her alarm for 4 am”
Daisy’s mother Sam said:
“She is extremely dedicated and determined, training three mornings and two evenings a week.
“For the early starts, she sets her alarm for 4 am and is in the pool by 5 am, before returning to Swanage in time for the start of school. We’re all extremely proud of what she has achieved!”
Now Daisy is hoping to continue her winning streak, going on to compete in the Swim England South West championships, which will be in April 2023 at Millfield School in Somerset.
