Talented Year 11 swimmer Liam has been selected as one of only 18 members of the Para-Academy, a British Swimming initiative which prepares up-and-coming athletes for competing internationally in their sport.
Liam has been swimming with Kingston Upon Hull Swimming Club (KUHSC) for six years, and has won a variety of local and national accolades in para-swimming.
He competed in his first disability gala in the 2015 North of England Championships in Harrogate – coming home with two gold and three bronze medals - after being diagnosed with Audi Processing Disorder following months of assessment.
Despite his success, Liam is incredibly modest about his achievements.
He said, “I was so shocked when I was told I had been accepted into the Para-Academy – so shocked I couldn’t speak.
“It was only when I got the news that I realised how good I’ve become at swimming.
“Training six days per week takes up a lot of my time, but teachers at school are understanding and give me extra time for homework if I have a competition coming up.
“I’ve been told that I could make it to Tokyo 2020 if I carry on working hard.
“It’s my dream to make a career as a professional swimmer.”
Liam was an unknown entity on the scene, having previously only competed in mainstream swimming competitions, prior to being reclassified as a para-swimmer two years ago.
His success in para-swimming was quickly noted by competitors and professionals alike.
Despite competing against Paralympic athletes, Liam secured a bronze medal in his category in the 2016 British Swimming Championships.
Shortly after this, he was contacted by British Swimming to suggest that he might like to apply to be part of the new Para-Academy squad.
Liam went through multiple assessments and tests before it was announced that he was one of only 18 swimmers from across the country to be accepted into the team.
The aim of the Para-Academy is to support and nurture young talent on the pathway to competing at international level.
Alongside his schoolwork, Liam is expected to attend extra coaching sessions and training camps to hone his talent.
He also has to complete a daily log, which is monitored by his coaches. It details how he is feeling, what he has eaten, his height and weight, and what training he has completed.
The Para-Academy is the feeder for the Podium Potential scheme, where athletes are trained to become the Paralympic swimming stars of the future.
Liam is hoping to be moved up to this level by next year and has his eye on competing at the Paralympics in Tokyo in 2020.
(Photo courtesy of KUHSC)