10 University of Stirling swimmers set for World Championships medal bid

Ten swimmers from the University of Stirling’s coveted high-performance programme have set off for the prestigious World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.

The athletes – eight competing for Great Britain and one each for Zimbabwe and Malaysia – will be joined by University coaches Ben Higson and Brad Hay, ahead of their events beginning on Sunday 27 July.

In a milestone moment for the programme, it represents the largest number of Stirling swimmers to be selected for a World Championships – surpassing the eight who competed at Fukuoka 2023.

The 28-strong Aquatics GB team for Singapore includes Stirling’s Duncan Scott OBE, Angharad Evans, Keanna Macinnes, Katie Shanahan, Holly McGill, Freya Anderson, Lucy Hope and Jack McMillan. Paige van der Westhuizen will swim for Zimbabwe and Arvin Shaun Singh Chahal for Malaysia. Ben Higson and Brad Hay will support the British team at the Championships, alongside ex-Stirling coach Steve Tigg, now Aquatics GB Head Coach.

David Bond, Head of Performance Sport at the University of Stirling, said: “As the University’s high-performance swim programme has grown and developed, we have witnessed more and more athletes achieve selection for the Olympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games.

“To have a record number of Stirling swimmers compete at the World Championships is a landmark moment for the programme, which continues to go from strength to strength under the leadership of Ben, Brad and the wider coaching and support team.

“We wish all the swimmers the best of luck as they head off to Singapore – and our university community will be cheering them on as they bid to medal on the international stage.”

Duncan Scott is Scotland's most decorated Olympic athlete.

Scotland’s most decorated Olympic athlete, Duncan Scott – who received an OBE from the King earlier this month – is relishing his sixth World Championships and hopes to add to his four gold, two silver and two bronze medals won at previous events.

“The group is in a really exciting place – with the most athletes we’ve ever had in a team from the University of Stirling,” the 28-year-old said. “I think it speaks volumes to what we’ve been able to do in the pool here – from what Steve [Tigg] has built up over past years, to what Ben and Brad have been able to do. It’s a really exciting group.”

Looking ahead to Singapore, Duncan said: “From an individual point of view, I want to chase the top level and go there and win. I’ve obviously got a difficult task in that regard – with one of the best swimmers ever, Léon [Marchand], in the event that I’ll be competing in [200m Individual Medley].

“In terms of my other events, the four by two relay [4x200m Freestyle] is always really strong, and the four by one relay [4x100m Medley] has also got a chance as well.”

Angharad Evans will compete in Singapore, alongside 10 fellow swimmers from the University of Stirling.

Angharad Evans – who was recently crowned Female Athlete of the Year at the Scottish Student Sport Awards, and is shortlisted for Sportswoman of the Year at the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Awards – won silver at last year’s World Aquatics Championships (Short Course), after making her Olympic debut in Paris. Her selection for the World Championships in Singapore – distinct from the Short Course competition – is another milestone in the swimmer’s journey.

Reflecting on making the Championships, the 22-year-old said: “It’s crazy to me – it’s just been a rollercoaster of two years. This is the hardest training block, and the most consistent, I’ve had. I’m going to Singapore with no pressure on me and I’ll just see what I can do.

“I will enjoy the experience, particularly going there with Ben and Brad and the rest of the Stirling group. It can be quite hard mentally and physically travelling halfway across the world – but when you’re with a group of people you get on with, support, and genuinely want the best for each other, that makes it much easier.”

Asked about her aims for the competition, she added: “Obviously, a medal would be nice – but I can’t control what other people do. If I get a best time in a final, I can’t complain. Either way, it will be a big learning meet for me, so positive things will come out of it.”

Eight swimmers from the University of Stirling will compete for Great Britain in Singapore.

Katie Shanahan, 21, wants to improve on her performance at the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka, where she finished fourth in the 200m Backstroke and seventh in the 400m Individual Medley. She said: “Preparations are going well for the Worlds. We’ve just come off the back of a three-week training camp in Arizona and that’s always so good – going up there and getting a good block of work in – just swimming and the gym, no other distractions.

“I want to do one better than the 2023 Worlds – if I can make finals, be up there in the top five and get some personal bests too, that would be great.”

Like Angharad, Holly McGill, 20, will be competing at her first World Championships. The backstroke specialist said: “This is such a big milestone for me. This year, the aim was to build towards the LA 2028 Olympics by getting into senior teams – and this is the first one to have come round.

“I hope to make a final, set a personal best and see what I can do.”

Fun

Olympic gold medallist Freya Anderson – who joined the Stirling programme earlier this year – will be competing at her fifth World Championships. Reflecting on her time at Stirling so far, she said: “I feel really happy – I’m finally settled, and training is going really well.

“I love the programme here – it’s a different method of training, very tailored to the individual, and everyone has got different things going on in each session – it makes it really fun.”

Of the Championships, she said: “It’s really exciting, but it can also be emotionally taxing, with big crowds, getting yourself up for each race – it takes it out of you. It will be good to see how I stand it.”

Success

Ben Higson, Head Performance Swim Coach at the University of Stirling, said: “Preparation for the Worlds has been really, really good. In terms of availability, the guys have been second to none – training day in day out; we have been very fortunate with injury and illness so far.

“It’s all shaping up really well. It’s about going to Singapore and producing lifetime bests and season’s bests. We know the calibre of athlete we have and, if they can swim their best times or close, we will be in a good place.”

Brad Hay, High-Performance Swim Coach on the programme, said: “This year offers another opportunity for our athletes to test themselves on the world stage. Everyone is looking pretty good at the moment, and we have some strong contenders for medals across the board.”

Reflecting on the programme’s success, he added: “Year on year, we’ve just been building – and it's testament to the support of the University and wider partners, including Aquatics GB and the Institute of Sport, that we are able to sustain this level of success and continue to attract talented athletes excited about their journey within the sport.” 

World class

At Stirling, athletes have access to world-class facilities, including a 50-metre pool, unrivalled outdoor space, and state-of-the-art strength and conditioning suites. In addition to its coaching and facilities, Stirling’s International Sports Scholarship Programme – one of the largest high-performance programmes in the UK – offers athletes funding support, academic flexibility, equipment and kit. It has supported hundreds of athletes since its inception in 1981 – with many competing on the world stage, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

Core sports include swimming, golf, tennis, triathlon, football and curling, while individual scholarships cover all Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports.

Read more about sports scholarships at the University of Stirling.