At Swim England North East, we’re proud to celebrate the achievements of athletes who embrace multiple aquatic disciplines. This month, we’re highlighting Frankie, a remarkable 13-year-old who competes in both Swimming and Diving. Representing the City of Sunderland ASC in swimming and Sunderland City Dive Team in diving, Frankie’s journey is a testament to the rewards of pursuing dual disciplines in aquatics.
Frankie’s dedication extends beyond the pool. Alongside swimming and diving, she also competes in Open Water swimming during the spring and summer months. Her ability to balance the demands of training and competitions across multiple disciplines demonstrates the value of versatility and resilience in young athletes.
The Parent Perspective
Frankie’s parents have been an integral part of her journey, offering insights into the challenges and rewards of supporting a dual-discipline athlete.
What motivated you to support your child in pursuing dual disciplines?
“There wasn’t really any question of whether to support Frankie. She moved to competitive clubs in both disciplines when she was only 6 years old, so at that age it was just about allowing her to try out different sports. As she progressed in both disciplines, it has been a pleasure to support that.”
What do you see as the biggest benefits for your child in being a dual-discipline athlete?
“There are so many more benefits, opportunities, and life skills that athletes get from each discipline; these are only multiplied by doing more than one. It creates variety, which can help with breaking up the training. It can also help with motivation if there’s a plateau in one discipline but continuing to do well in the other.”
What challenges have you faced as a parent in supporting a dual-discipline athlete?
“Time has to be the biggest factor. Each discipline has its own training schedule, and over the years, we’ve always kept our fingers crossed that there wouldn’t be too much of a clash that would prevent Frankie from continuing both.”
What kind of support or advice do you feel you need from coaches or Swim England to better support your child?
“Both clubs are aware that Frankie is a dual athlete, and they’re mindful of that. Flexibility is key, as sometimes there are clashes with training or competitions. Additional support around nutrition and fuelling both training schedules is always welcome. There have been some recent courses available from Swim England, which have been helpful.”
Do you have concerns about the long-term impact of dual-discipline training on your child’s well-being?
“No, not at all. There are, of course, times when it can feel full-on, but as long as athletes eat well and sleep well, they’ll be prepared for the training. Social time is also important. Frankie has made so many friends, not just from her own clubs but also from others across the region, and they often do social activities together.”
What advice would you give to other parents considering allowing their child to pursue dual disciplines?
“Give it a try; there’s never any harm in trying. If it doesn’t work out, that’s fine, but you’ll likely be surprised at how well it does and the enjoyment your child will get.”
Watch Frankie’s Story
In our latest YouTube video, Frankie shares her experiences as a dual-discipline athlete, offering insights into the rewards and challenges of balancing both sports. Her advice for aspiring athletes is clear: with determination, flexibility, and a love for aquatics, it’s possible to thrive in multiple disciplines.
Supporting Diverse Aquatic Opportunities
Frankie’s story reflects Swim England North East’s commitment to promoting the opportunities within aquatics. Swimming is not just a sport, it’s a gateway to discovering new passions and skills. Whether it’s swimming, diving, open water, artistic swimming, or water polo, we encourage athletes to explore all that the aquatic sector has to offer.
Ready to dive in? Get involved with our programmes and discover how you can embark on your own journey across multiple disciplines. Let’s support our athletes to dream big, explore more, and achieve their full potential!
If your a dual-discipline athlete in the North East Region, get in touch with Jay (jay.manners@swimnortheast.org) to share your story!
