On holiday in Australia during the 2008 Olympic Games, Fiona Donnelly watched in awe as Becky Adlington swam to double gold in Beijing. 

Today, the young Derbyshire-based Scot is one of 19 Nova Centurion squad members training alongside the British heroine. And the Adlington aspiration factor is paying big dividends. 

At last month’s British Gas Scottish Short-course Championships, Fiona claimed three gold medals – 800m freestyle. 50m butterfly and 100m backstroke - and she pushed Scotland’s leading star, Hannah Miley, all the way before taking silver in the 200m freestyle.  

Celebrating her 16th birthday on February 9, Fiona has clear ambitions for this year. She wants to win an individual medley at the European Junior Championships in Belgrade this summer. As a rookie at last year’s Championships in Helsinki, she claimed a silver medal in the 4 x 200m freestyle relay. 

Further ahead, the 2014 Commonwealth games in Glasgow loom large. 

Fiona, the youngest of three sisters, is part of a sporting family. Dad Richard – whose father lives in Auchterarder – was a competitive swimmer, and Mum Sheila – who hails from Lockerbie – was a decent hockey player.  

“When I was very small I used to sit beside the pool and watch my sisters (Kirsty and Caroline),” recalled Fiona. “I wanted to join them. The big breakthrough came when I was 11 and won two gold medals at the British National Age-group Championships. 

”Although we live down south, I also always wanted to swim for Scotland. I’ve joined Warrender, and team up with them during Scottish Championships. They are a really nice group of people.” 

It was two years ago this month that she was allowed entry to the hallowed Nova Centurion elite squad run by coach Bill Furniss. “I remember being so excited when Becky won her first Olympic gold in the 400m freestyle. The last length was so close,” said Fiona. 

“Back then, I would never have believed that, one day, I would be training alongside her. But she’s great, and so is Bill. Becky is someone who notices everything. If you do a good set, she really applauds and motivates you. She also tells us all to keep going, to keep striving to get better.” 

Fiona started her career as a butterfly specialist and was also a promising backstroker. But, since she arrived at the famous Nottingham Club, she has begun to lean towards the freestyle. “The club mostly does freestyle sets in training and I began to enjoy it more and more,” she explained. “Now I’ve started to do well in the stroke.” 

The trails for the European Junior Championships take place in Manchester next month. “Last year, I wasn’t even initially in the squad so to get the silver relay medal was a real shock,” she said. “This time, I would love to get an individual medley. 

“Another big goal this year is to get into the British team for the World Youth Championships in Peru in August.” 

The 2012 Olympic Games in London will be a little too soon for Fiona, but she has set her sights on a home appearance on a major stage at the 2014 Commonwealths in Glasgow – and then there is the prospect of a glamour 2016 Olympics in Brazil. 

In the meantime, she also has to cope with education – she is currently studying for ten GCSE exams at Ecclesbourne School in Duffield. “To be honest, it is tough,” she admitted. “I’ve got a few ideas about what I want to do. I would quite like to be a nurse, or a physical education teacher or maybe a paramedic with the police.” 

But, just as important, is her blossoming swimming career. With a double gold medalist as her inspiration, she has set her sights high. So remember the name, Fiona Donnelly.

EB

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