Luke Mitchell | Sport

Luke Mitchell – Swimmer St Peter’s Swimming Club
Pool and Open Water Swimmer
I’m a 19 year old student in my second year at Waikato University. Where I am doing a ‘Bachelor of Education’ to become a primary school teacher as I have a passion for working with children. I attended St Peter’s School in Cambridge and there I became part of the St Peter’s Swimming Club and for the past two years I have been the Clubs Captain. It’s a role that has allowed me to work and help the younger swimmers at Club nights, swimming meets and with any problems they may have, as well as supporting the swimmers training around me.
Being a competitive swimmer for the past ten years has given me some wonderful opportunities where I’ve gained national medals in the pool and in open water events. This year I gained my first national title at the New Zealand Open Water Championships in the 2.5km event. I was also asked to become the Swimming Waikato Regional Squad Captain which has allowed me to support swimmers and coaches from around the Waikato area; as well as being part of the Swimming Waikato Regional Squad Programme which gives our regions swimmers the access to high level coaching and facilities. Over the past few years I’ve been able to travel overseas to compete and gain medals at several international events. This year however I got the opportunity to attend my first World Cup Series event in Singapore, where I made 2 finals against some of the best swimmers in the world; what an experience and so much learned that will be invaluable in the future.
Being a swimmer takes hard work and dedication but the awesome supportive people I’ve met along the way has only made me want to go further in my sport.