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March 16-22, 2017 Dubbo Photo News
Aspen aspires to golden glory By NATALIE HOLMES
AT just 10 years old, Dubbo’s Aspen Moore already has her sights set on Olympic gold. The enthusiastic young swimmer has been smashing times in the pool and is determined to continue her winning streak. At the recent Northern Region Swimming Carnival, Aspen was named as the 11 years Girl Champion, after breaking records in no less than six events including her favourite, the 50m freestyle. “Last year, I broke some records, and again this year,” she said. Remarkably, the St John’s Primary student only started swimming last year. “I joined the Dubbo City Swim Tech,” she said. “People noticed how fast I was and it’s just gone on from there.” Aspen trains most days and spends at least 10 hours in the pool each week, including two hour sessions. As a natural in the water, she just loves what she is doing. The success is a bonus. “I’m really enjoying myself,” she said. “And when I win, it feels awesome!” Aspen is also quite selfless in her achievements and her bright personality shines as much as her ability. She always helps her peers to do their best. “I just like to encourage everyone and share.” Aspen is very ambitious in her swimming goals and hopes to reach the top of her sport someday, much like Australian champion Cate Campbell, who she admires. “I want to go to the Olympics and win gold.” To reach that goal, Aspen is constantly aiming to better her times. “Sometimes I push myself to go further. My best time in the 50m freestyle is 30.43 – I’d like to get under 30 seconds. My 100m time is 1.09.” By comparison, Aspen said Olympic times are approximately 23 seconds in the 50m and 53 seconds in the 100m. Aspen says her family and friends are behind her ambitions all the way. “They are really supportive.”
Aspen’s winning streak:
Aspen Moore at the NSW Country Championships in February 2017 at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, having won gold in the 50m freestyle. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.
Northern Region Carnival - 50m freestyle 31.58 breaking 2004 record of 33.87 - 100m freestyle 1.12.01 breaking 2016 record of 1.17.92 - 50m backstroke 40.61 breaking 1994 record of 44.06 - 50m butterfly 37.13 breaking 2004 record of 37.84 - 50m breast stroke 43.95 breaking 2015 record of 46.87 - 200m 3.09.95 breaking 2011 record of 3.12.58
L·P ORYLQ· LW
Spreagadh na Rince encouraging Irish Dance AUSTRALIA’S European settlement is based on Irish men and women who were sent to make a life on the other side of the world. Despite the terrible trip and horrendous early days in the great south land, the prisoners’ effervescence, unique sense of humour and willingness to dance to the beat of a fiddle, a pipe or a drum quickly spread joy throughout the expanding colony. Spreagadh na Rince is Gaelic for Encourage the Dance and local teacher Kelly Rumble has been passionately pursuing her dream with young people from across the region since 2012. “Several of our dancers are competing at state and national level,” Kelly said. “They train three times a week and travel with their parents on weekends to compete. They’re incredibly dedicated and devote many hours getting their fitness right to demonstrate the wide range of skills involved in Irish Dancing,” Kelly added. “Our dancers are heading to Adelaide in the September/October school holidays for the Nationals. They will perform in solo and team sections and are keen to build on their past experiences.” I know there will be some who question Irish Dancing’s classification as a sport however in this world of increasingly grey areas, I have made the decision to highlight Spreagadh as it ticks all the boxes in our McDonalds/Dubbo Photo News Rising Stars criteria. In fact, there is an interesting discussion on-line. Type “Is Irish Dancing a Sport?” into your search engine and follow it. One comment sums it up for me: “The combination of the physical fitness required as well as the competitive focus
Kristy Walsh, Jessica Woods, Taylah Kellermeier and Matilda Hollier
definitely makes Irish dance a sport.” Spreadagh na Rince is encouraging people to get active and develop their skills, “not unlike the Olympic sport of rhythmic gymnastics which can be considered an art form as well as a competitive sport,” as the
commenter said. Kelly Rumble made the sea-change to Dubbo five years ago and now has over 50 dancers attending classes in Dubbo and Gilgandra each week. “Students come from as far as Nyngan
and Mudgee to learn the ancient art and they just love it,” Kelly enthused. For more information contact Kelly on 0408 448 409 or Spreadagh na Rince on Facebook.