Emily Beecroft

Started: She began swimming at age three in Morwell, VIC, Australia. She started swimming competitively in 2010. (paralympic.org.au, 24 Jan 2016) Reason: She was encouraged to pursue the sport by one of her teachers and her sister. She also participated in netball and athletics but chose swimming as she felt it had the best pathway for people with an impairment. "I feel like I'm most comfortable when I'm in the water." (Australia Post YouTube channel, 05 Oct 2017; paralympic.org.au, 24 Jan 2016) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (latrobevalleyexpress.com.au, 07 Nov 2023) Awards: She was named Sports Person of the Year for 2022 by the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia. (latrobevalleyexpress.com.au, 07 Nov 2023) She was voted the 2016 Young Athlete of the Year at the Victorian Sport Awards in Australia. (vicsport.com.au, 30 Mar 2017) She was named the 2016 Young Citizen of the Year in Latrobe, VIC, Australia. (latrobevalleyexpress.com.au, 13 Apr 2017, 30 Jan 2017) Additional Info: FURTHER EDUCATION After studying for bachelor's degrees in communication and media studies, and sports management and legal studies at La Trobe University in Melbourne, VIC, Australia, in 2022 she began studying for a bachelor's degree in social media, communications and media studies at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. (LinkedIn profile, 01 Mar 2022)