Barratt earns World berth

Rockingham Swimming Club’s finest athletes shined at the 2017 Hancock Prospecting Australian Swimming Championships last week.

Holly Barratt and Tommy Sucipto both picked up medals during the meet, but it was 29-year-old Barratt’s stunning comeback story which stole the show and Australia’s hearts.

Barratt made history and secured her place on the World Championship team as she took silver in the 100m backstroke, silver in the 50m butterfly and gold in the 50m backstroke defeating hot favourite Emily Sebohm.

Sucipto took home the bronze after a strong performance in the 100m breaststroke.

Rockingham Swimming Club president Grant Beste said the pair’s efforts at the championships had inspired everyone.

“It’s a great inspiration for young kids,” Mr Beste said.

“All the Rockingham Swimming Club swimmers have been glued to the TV over the last few days.

“When they see the Rocky cap on someone’s head who is going to the World Championships, it inspires them and helps them believe that they can achieve their goals. Barratt, who has a degree in physiology and also works part-time at Super Cheap Auto, initially gave up swimming at the age of 18, only to recapture the spark for swimming at 24.

Her appearance in Brisbane also made her the oldest rookie to ever make the Australian team.

“Holly has proven that you don’t have to be ‘young’ to succeed and make the teams; you just have to be focused on getting there,” Mr Beste said.

Sucipto’s and Barratt’s success comes on the back of the announcement earlier this year that the Aqua Jetty in Warnbro would host the State’s third high-performance training centre.

The Southern HPTC, headed by coach Will Scott, will help develop the talents of young swimmers from the Peel region right up to Cockburn.

The World Championships will be held in Budapest in July.