Bond Exercise and Sports Science student and Georgina Hope Rinehart Swimming Excellence Scholarship recipient, Laura Taylor, has been named in the Australian swim team for the 2017 World Uni Games.
Laura’s inclusion in the prestigious Uniroos squad follows her stunning performance at the National Age Swimming Championships last month, which saw her achieve personal bests in all of her events.
The talented young swimmer took home a swag of medals in the 17 years’ age group, including gold in the 200m butterfly and the 200m freestyle; silver in the 100m, 400m and 800m freestyle; and bronze in the 100m butterfly.
Immediately prior to that, Laura also competed at the National Open Championships, bagging a bronze in the 200m butterfly and securing a spot in the final of the women’s 100m butterfly.
The 2017 World University Games (Summer Universiade) are being held in Taipei City, Taiwan from August 19-30. More than 9,000 student athletes and officials from over 170 countries will take part in the event, which is broadcast by 100-plus television networks worldwide.
Laura said for her, the event will be a crucial stepping stone for next year’s Commonwealth Games and the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
“This is my first senior team selection, and I’m very excited. It should be an amazing experience and opportunity for me,” Laura said.
“The World Uni Games will provide me with international race experience and hopefully allow me to believe in my own abilities more against a tougher race field.
Bond University Manager Sport and Programs, Jackie Parra said making the Uniroos was an awesome achievement for Laura.
“The Uniroos team is a very high-calibre, high-performance team which is extremely difficult to gain selection for,” Jackie said.
“Laura will be flying the flag not just for Bond, but for Australia, and we are confident she will do us all proud.”
Bond University Swimming Club’s Brayden McCarthy, fresh from his gold medal winning performance in the 50m butterfly at the National Open Championships, will join Laura in the 19-strong Australian Uniroos swimming team, which features a number of Commonwealth Games medallists.
Bond University's Head Tennis Coach Kaden Hensel - a former Grand Slam player and US College standout for the University of Tennessee - has also been named Head Coach of Australia's World University Games tennis team.
We wish all our Bondies the best of luck on the world stage in Taipei!