Proud Kate set for her Commonwealth test

THE invitation has arrived, as has the outfit, but still Dewsbury’s Kate Hutchinson, like Cinderella, is not quite convinced that it is her turn to go to the ball, or in her case the Commonwealth Games in India next month where she will swim for England.

“To be honest I wasn’t expecting to win at the Nationals and I certainly wasn’t expecting to get into the team for the Commonwealths,” explained Kate, who earned her England call-up after winning bronze, silver and gold medals at the National Swimming Championships in Sunderland earlier this month.

“It still hasn’t sunk in yet and I probably won’t believe it until I get on the plane,” she added.

Kate, 19, is a student at Loughbrough University where she does most of her swimming training.

She made a swift return home to Thornhill this week to pick up her smart red and white England kit and to collect the best wishes of her family and friends before joining up with the England squad.

Next week they head for a training camp in Qatar where they will do some final preparations and get acclimatised before heading to Delhi on October 1 to be ready for the start of the Commonwealth Games on October 3,

Kate has been selected to swim in the 200m Individual Medley and the 200m breastroke at the Commonwealth Games and she is relishing the level of competition she will be up against.

“The Commonwealth Games are the next biggest thing to the Olympics with swimmers coming from around the globe to take part,” she said.

“If you are going to compete at the top level in your sport you have to be at these international events and put yourself up against some of the best in the world.”

Her selection for Delhi is a terrific reward not only for Kate but for her family and friends who have supported her in many ways throughout her swimming career.

She started at swim squads in Batley, Dewsbury and Spenborough before being selected to compete for the Borough of Kirklees.

As she became more successful it was 5am starts to train at the City of Leeds club before school, and then again after.

The staff at Heckmondwike Grammar School also played their part in helping Kate swim while ensuring that she continued with her education.

“I’ve come a long way since I first started swimming and from all those early starts and training sessions over the years,” added Kate.

“I’m grateful to everyone who has helped and supported me along the way. I hope I can make them proud.”