- 2015 Highlights
Personal Statement
My name is Brooke Gillies and I am a competitive swimmer. I am 17 years old and have been swimming competitively since I was 8 years old. My club is Carnegie Amateur Swimming Club which is one of the most successful clubs in my home country of Scotland. My number one stoke is Backstroke and I am currently ranked 7th in Scotland for 200 meters for my age group. My second favoured stroke is freestyle which I am ranked 10th in Scotland for 100 meters for my age group.
I train 17 hours each week which includes early morning sessions and one long course training session. This also includes land training, strength and conditioning.
I love training and attend every session to strive to succeed in improving my times by becoming stronger and faster.
As well as representing my club at local galas I have also swam in the Scottish National Championships every year since I was 11 years old and made many finals. Further to this I have represented my Primary School and High School at the Scottish Schools Swimming Championships, again reaching the finals in both.
During this time I have also been part of the Scottish National Bronze Squad. This is a development squad that is comprised of swimmers that have achieved set times and have been identified as future talent.
I am in my sixth and final year at Auchmuty High School and have the following qualifications;
National 5 English C
National 5 Mathematics C
National 5 Physical education A
National 5 Graphic Communication B
National 5 Sports leadership
National 4 Biology
National 4 Chemistry
National 4 History
Higher Physical Education C
Higher Graphic Communication C.
In 2014, I entered a Graphic Communication competition to design a new logo for Scottish Schools Swimming, and I won. My logo is now on display at all of their events. I have attached the article from the local newspaper about this achievement for you to see, http://fifedirect.org.uk/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=news.display&objectid=9202BB0F-9F12-4FC9-89429B5B7A9A5EDD
As a Sports Leader, I attend local Primary and Secondary/High Schools and with other leaders organize sporting events and tournaments. Many of the events I help organize are for children as young as 4 years and up to 16 years. It also includes children with mental and physical disabilities.
Outside of school I enjoy cycling, running, going to the gym and football (soccer). I have competed twice in our local biathlon when I was 13 and 14 years old and came 1st and 3rd respectively. I am the Goal Keeper for Dunfermline Ladies FC development team. I train twice a week with the team and play every Sunday. Of course this is dependant on my swim training and if I have a gala on the Sundays. As much as I love football and being part of the team, my swimming comes first as it has always done.
As this is my final year at High School I have thought long and hard about my future. One thing for definite is that I want to continue swimming as I know I have not reached my peak.
My goal is to be the best that I can be, to compete and win at the highest level and to continue to expand my academic qualifications. My aspiration is to have a career in the sports industry and to be involved in coaching and the development of training for athletes at all levels.
I have researched on the internet and spoken to my coaches and parents regarding the best options for me to fulfill my ambitions both athletically and academically.
I want to be part of a competitive swim team of like minded people that train hard and push each other to succeed. I want my educational environment to be supportive and rewarding. I am a hard worker both mentally and physically. I have a great sense of humour and mix well with everyone. I can support team members with encouragement, guidance and help give them focus.
The University system in the USA impresses me greatly. The sport programme is second to none and offers so much for a competitive swimmer like me. It would help me be the swimmer that I want to be because I know I can commit to what is expected from me both as an athlete and as an academic student. I love to train.
The University educational and sport programmes would also open up other sports to me to show me how the athletes train for their sport and what their objectives are. This would help me achieve my educational aspiration of being in a sports based career as a coach or development and training.
