Accolades for Seaforde girl

Accolades for Seaforde girl

18 March 2015

SEAFORDE Paralympic gold medallist Bethany Firth has rounded off a great week in the pool by being named as an athlete ambassador for a UK-wide campaign and shortlisted for a prestigious international award.  

The 19-year-old swimmer was recently unveiled as one of 13 high performance athletes who have been selected as ambassadors for the UK Sports Association’s project, My Sport, My Voice! 

She has also been nominated for Best Female Athlete at the inaugural International Federation for Sport for Athletes with an Intellectual Disability Awards ceremony in Sheffield next month. 

The two announcements come hot on the heels of Bethany’s three gold medals at Swim Ireland’s Dave McCullagh Memorial competition in Bangor at the weekend. 

 said: “I’m really pleased. I’m looking forward to being a My Sport, My Voice! Ambassador so that I can share my story and help inspire people to achieve their dreams. I also want to help people get a better understanding of people with learning disability.” 

The project is backed by Disability Sports Northern Ireland. , Kevin O’Neill, chief executive officer, said: “Bethany is one of Northern Ireland’s most successful athletes and is already a very positive role model, so we have no doubt that she is the right choice to help promote and raise the profile of athletes with learning disability.”

Bethany is a member of Ards Swimming Club in Newtownards where Nelson Lindsay is head coach. He said: “We are delighted that Bethany has been chosen for this wonderful accolade. She’s a tremendous ambassador for Ards Swimming Club and for sport in Northern Ireland. 

“As a club we’re extremely proud of Bethany’s achievements and she is a prime example of how hard work and commitment can produce great results. Bethany is our current girls’ captain, elected by her teammates, and leads by example in both training and competition.

“She is an inspiration to her teammates in the club and will no doubt inspire others through her role as an athlete ambassador over the year ahead.”

Tracey McCillen, Chief Executive at the UK Sports Association said: “We are thrilled to be able to reveal Bethany as one of our 13 Athlete Ambassadors. She has competed in swimming at the highest level and has some incredible experiences to share, both in and out of the sporting arena.

Chris Furber, National Performance Director at British Swimming, added: “It is great that Bethany has been selected. It will help build her confidence and I am pleased to work with the UK Sports Association. The programme will really inspire the next generation of athletes and I know that Bethany will have a motivational story to tell.”

Between now and June 2016, Bethany will be taking part in a series of community visits and will co-deliver a My Sport, My Voice! workshop in Northern Ireland. She will also be representing the programme in the media to educate and enlighten not just the sporting community but the wider general public too about learning disability.