Athlete Profile

Events

2009 IPC European Swimming Championships, Iceland

• Gold 100m Backstroke 01:16.67

2009 INAS-FID Global Games, Czech Republic

• Bronze50m Freestyle 00:31.24

2008 INAS-FID European Championships, Poland

• Gold 50m Butterfly 00:33.55
• Silver 50m Freestyle 00:30.77
• Silver 50m Backstroke 00:38.13
• Bronze 100m Backstroke 01:23.42
• Bronze 100m Freestyle 01:10.15

2007 INAS-FID World Championships, Belgium

• Bronze 50m Backstroke 00:38.01

2006 INAS-FID European Championships, Hungary

• Gold 50m Backstroke 00:38.47
• Gold 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay 02:11.86
• Gold 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 05:04.16
• Gold 4 x 50m Medley Relay 02:35.80
• Gold 4 x 100m Medley Relay 05:57.02
• Silver 50m Butterfly 00:35.32
• Silver 100m Backstroke 01:26.12

2005 INAS-FID World Championships, Czech Republic

• Gold 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay 02:11.56
• Gold 4 x 50m Medley Relay 02:35.81
• Silver 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 05:02.92
• Bronze 50m Backstroke 00:38.16

Records Held

200m Butterfly S/C

S14

Sheffield

2010

03:09.34

ER

Stephanie was born in Northamptonshire and started to swim at the age of 4. Three years later she joined her current swimming club in Lowestoft.

Her hard work and dedication led her to the UKSA GB Team. 2005 INAS-FID World Championships in Czech Republic was her debut internationally and it was very successful –at 50m Backstroke she finished in the top three. "I was 16 and very excited to be in the team and to pick up a bronze medal on my first attempt was incredible."

She is very open about the reasons that motivate her: "The excitement of swimming for my country and being someone that makes a difference to my sport."

She works as a part-time domestic assistant with Suffolk County Council and due to her working hours, morning training can be a bit of a strain. If she could find a sponsor, she would love to become a full time swimmer.

Career highlight

There have been two significant moments that have given her particular joy: being reinstated in the Paralympic movement and winning her first gold medal at the 2009 IPC European Championships in Iceland.

Secrets of success

She says that her achievements are based on three factors: enjoying her sport, training hard and being dedicated to Team GB.

Advice to Young Athletes Starting Out

Listen to your coach, train hard, eat a good diet, support your team and always aim to work harder and do better. Believe in yourself – you can do it!!!

Relaxation and Free time

Her favourite leisure activities involve listening music to on her IPod, watching television, working on her laptop, visiting her friends, jogging and walking her dog.

Role model

Fellow swimmer Karen Pickering has inspired her the most: "She has done really well in her swimming career and has won many well deserved medals. It makes me want to follow in her footsteps."

Favourite food and favourite kind of music

She loves a roast dinner and occasionally allows herself to indulge in Kentucky fried chicken. She also likes yogurts with banana, custard and fruit flavours. When it comes to music she prefers to listen to pop and R&B.

Person she would like to meet?

She admits that would like to meet the members of pop band S Club 7 and try to get them back together. She used to listen to their music in her early swimming career.

What changes would he likes to see in sport?

For disabled swimmers to swim the same races that the able bodied are allowed to swim.

Future ambitions

She has a very clear understanding of what she wants to achieve in the future: "To teach and help young disabled swimmers but only after winning gold at London 2012 and maybe 2016 Rio. Stephanie also wishes to continue to have a happy and fulfilled life."

Other Achievements

• 2009 - Harry Baldrey Memorial Cup for the Most dedicated and Successful Swimmer at Lowestoft and Oulton Broad Swimming Club
• 2008/09 - Award for the Sport Person who has contributed the most to disability sport
• 2004/05 - Young Ambassador of Lowestoft
• 2004 - Waveney Senior Sports Woman of the Year
• 2003 - Waveney Junior Sport Woman of the Year