Skip to main content
Start of main content.

Leader of the pod: Alex takes on Leadership role with Dolphins

He’s a freshly anointed prince of the pool but Alex Graham still has a fin or two to learn from ocean royalty.

“I reckon I’d give him a run off the start but anything over five metres, I think he’d have me covered,” the Commonwealth Games gold medallist said during a magical meeting with Coen the dolphin at Sea World.

Graham, 23, was recently named in the Australian Dolphins’ leadership group alongside swimming superstars Cate and Bronte Campbell, Mitch Larkin and fellow young star Jess Hansen.

It was a nod to the Bond University swimmer’s maturity, leadership and potential in and out of the pool.

The freestyler graduated from Bond with a Bachelor of Sports Management last year and is following up with an MBA this year.

“I didn’t expect to get the (Dolphins) position -- I was quite chuffed,” Graham said.

“It’s a great opportunity to develop myself as a leader and offer support where I can to the rest of the team.

“The next couple of years is pretty important. I consider myself a bit of a hype man, so if I can help the team get their best performances, that will help me as well.”

Graham claimed gold at his home Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast last year and bronze at the world short-course championships in December.

He’s tipped to become a household name on the road to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics which is fewer than 500 days away.

Australian swimmers are currently turning their focus to the Nationals which are currently underway in Adelaide, followed by the World Championships in South Korea in July.

“The Olympics will come around really quick,” said Graham, who has become adept at juggling studies at Bond and an international swimming career.

“It’s not every day you get to put on the gold cap and represent your country.”

More from Bond

  • Surfing subject makes a splash with students

    Surf Industry Studies is a very unique, hands on approach to learning all about the surfing industry.

    Read article
  • Bond boys in the hood

    Bull Sharks Netball training partner Glenn Ormesher and Sapphire Assistant Coach Gavin Clarke are making their presence felt.

    Read article
  • Soldier, MP, academic: remembering Terry Gygar

    Associate Professor Terry Gygar, a former soldier and Queensland MP who went on to become a law academic at Bond University, has died following a battle with cancer.

    Read article
  • Penalty shootout in Madrid for sports law students

    A team of Bond University law students has made the world finals of the Sports Arbitration Moot in Spain.

    Read article
  • Undefeated U18s advance to Grand Final

    Rugby wrap: The U18s to play Souths in Lightning Series Grand Final, the men win big in Canberra and the women kick off their premiership defence with an intra-club match.

    Read article
Previous Next