Inspire

William Bell

William Bell

Sports Award

Age:
22

Biography

Young, talented Leicestershire swimmer William Bell, 14 years old, is chasing an ambition and dream to wear the team GB jacket and represent his country at International swimming events.

JHMT's Support

Already he's the fastest 13 yr boy ever on British rankings to swim the 1500 short course and the 400IM short course. Last year in 2015, he won gold in the 1500 at the British Summer Championships 2015 and silver in the 400IM and 4OO Free.

William was selected to attend the England Talent Phase 1 Programme by British Swimming and Progressed to Phase 2 just before Christmas after swimming his 400IM record at the Short Course Nationals in Sheffield.

This recent success is down to work, work and more work and includes training for sixteen hours weekly in the pool with four additional land training sessions, and three mornings during the week before school.

William said: 'I get up at 4am and train from 5.15am until 7.15am. Swimming is not an inexpensive sport. My racing jammers cost £114 and sometimes an Open Meet can cost £6 per event. I need to swim at meets around the country to gain qualifying times for the Nationals. In 2015 I also swam at the Scottish National Age Group Championships and came home with 8 gold medals - 6 individual and 2 relay.

'I have been chosen to represent Leicester, England at the International Children's Games 2016. In July. My seven team mates and I will travel to New Taipei City, Taiwan to compete. We have to fund this trip ourselves and estimated costs per swimmer are £1.300. This will be the first time I have competed against children from different countries and I am so excited. But when the average swimming season costs £4,500 this is an expensive trip!.'

'I hope that my story will inspire other young swimmers. I completed swimming lessons just before the Olympics in 2012 and joined Loughborough Town SC. I had tried my hand at other sports but quickly realised I had a talent in the pool. I was offered a place at City of Leicester SC in 2013 and only spent 5 months in the Development Squad before I was promoted. Swim training is so time consuming compared to other sports and the early mornings are hard work. But I have made some really good friends at my club and all around the Country. We message one another and we support one another.

'The Inspire grant will make a real difference to help fund my entries into swim meets around the country. There is a qualifying window for the British Champs and swim meets can sometimes be over subscribed which means we have to travel further afield. I also need to enter meets that will push me to better my personal best times eg Manchester Aquatics International Meet, where I competed in the 400IM final against an Olympian much older than myself. I was so nervous before the race but I tried my hardest and was proud to qualify for the final, where I was the youngest swimmer.'

Simon Taylor, Inspire said: ' Williams work ethic ,determination to succeed and use of
his talents is an inspiration to all young people . We wish him every success
and look forward to following his journey'.

Blog

East Midlands Regional Champs 2019

Posted: 23rd May, 2019

A weekend of heavy racing un rested due to a big training block in preparation for World Juniors. I entered 6 events over the 2 days and made the finals in the 17 and over age band in all 6. Couple of... Read More »

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Recent World Rankings

Posted: 13th May, 2019

Very exciting to see my name again on recent World Rankings, 800 and 1500 free, 18u male

World Junior Championships, Budapest

Posted: 28th Apr, 2019

So very happy to share the news that I have been chosen by British Swimming to represent Great Britain in the pool in Budapest, Hungary at the World Junior Championships in August. This was my goal at... Read More »

Very exciting news

Posted: 24th Apr, 2019

Yesterday I received news of the current 18u Swimming World Rankings and after the Champs last week, I am the 5th fastest junior in the world for the 800 freestyle and the 4th fastest for the 1500. I had... Read More »

Last day of the British Swimming Championships 2019

Posted: 22nd Apr, 2019

Last big push as my body is aching all over after the massive effort yesterday. Time for the 200 free. Was off my PB in the heat but got a lane in the Junior final. My time improved from heat to final... Read More »

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Day 5. British Swimming Championships 2019

Posted: 22nd Apr, 2019

What a massive day for me. The 800 free and the 200IM. Really wanted to do well in the 800 and follow my 1500 consideration time for European and World Junior Champs this summer with another. Just off... Read More »

Day 4. British Swimming Championships 2019

Posted: 20th Apr, 2019

Today was the 200 breast for me, an event I enjoy but I don't really train for, so I could relax as there was no pressure. My heat swim was ok, just outside my personal best time but it did earn me a place... Read More »

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Day 3. British Swimming Championships 2019

Posted: 19th Apr, 2019

Today was a big day for me as the 1500 free is my main event. I have been working very hard with my coach on a new race plan and today it paid off. So very happy to report that I knocked a massive 18 seconds... Read More »

Day 1. British Swimming Championships 2019

Posted: 19th Apr, 2019

Back at Tollcross pool, Glasgow this year. Started the champs with the 400 free. Would have liked a quicker time in the heats but a decent start, practicing my race plan. Managed a lane in the Transition... Read More »

Flanders Cup, Antwerp

Posted: 10th Jan, 2019

In exactly one week I will be flying to Brussels with 17 other swimmers to compete at the Flanders Cup. This will be my first long course meet of 2019. The squad is made up of 3 swimmers from the Swim... Read More »