Access Sport College Podcast: Student William Ellard | Team GB Para Swimmer

[Music] I'm James kager and I'm joined with William alard and Gavin tup so obviously we've been talking previously about your massive success in in the world of swimming I mean I'm just going to I'm going to list out a couple of your achievements here I mean I was looking at them before and they seem quite mindboggling to me because there was there was that many of them but just to name a few you know 2023 achievements which is seemed to be your breakthrough year really so you debuted um and you saw you beat an Olympic and World CH Champion medal winners at the uh the recent uh City par swimming worlds series in Sheffield you know winning 100 meters freestyle getting gold in that and 200 meters freestyle and getting gold in that I mean there's so many the achievements that you've got so far when I read them out to you how does that make you feel you know are you are you proud of them uh yeah like B on seen last year um makes me like um feel quite grateful to uh race against like some of the top athletes in the world um from Brazil um and seeing what I've achieved like going to the world World Championships last year as well um uh like the city power Swim World Series last year in March that actors as are like qualifier for the World Championships so um to qualify for my wor First World Championships um my first year bursting onto the scene that's that felt really good I bet it did I mean they're fantastic achievements but you know talk to me a little bit about your journey because I mean obviously you're here now you're 17 years old you're nearly 18 we were just speaking about per me you're so young but you've achieved so much so go back to the beginning when you were younger how how did you get into swimming um so I started swimming lessons when I was like 5 years old um my sister went into um like this first swimming club um and then uh I wanted to do that as well so I just went up through the rankings through that um and then started competitively when I was like 12 years old um then I moved swimming clubs to southw um uh where is where I train now I've been there for nearly six years now so that's good program what I'm on right now um and then competitively like with GB team I've only been on it for nearly exactly a year now um and throughout the years I've had a lot of support from my my coaches family especially if not I wouldn't be here today without like my family um especially my sister if not I wouldn't have started swiming lesson to at all really wow touch a little bit on that you know did she introduce her to swimming uh yeah like um she pushed me to get up in the morning like early morning training it is um to get up each morning uh and train and uh that sort of made me more um uh more motivated to do and more disciplined to do like training and stuff you've got a massive training schedule hasn't it I mean it's you think of when when I think of the world of swimming obviously we think of like Michael Phelps don't we and and we see a lot of his motivational talks where he talks about having to wake up early doesn't he and train from early I've heard you you you know you're studying at the same time while you're while you're training I mean how' you balance that and what's your schedule look like um so my schedule's I train 16 hours a week in the pool um that's three mornings a week uh from I train Tuesday and Wednesday morning I have to be up at for half four to get into the pool at half five wow God that's when we're all asleep isn't it wow Jesus um and then Saturday morning um this an hour later so half five I get up um train at half 6 till Half 8 is 2 hours and then 45 minute land training at the end of Saturday um and I also do two gym sessions a week uh which at the moment I'm strength uh strengthening like the fundamentals cuz I'm quite new to the gym um working on more power work and um just getting that in place before I go into my first proper program and then I do one plates a week on Wednesday night which I feel like helps definitely strengthen me like many sports do it like I know football does it a lot of players do it as well so I feel like that helps strengthen back and core especially it's like Mobility isn't it in I mean you look at some swimmers and the physique on them is they're so strong and explosive and that's that's obviously why you're doing that but it's such an intense training like session that you that you're doing and you're studying your level three extended diploma at the same time you know when you've got free time though I know it's probably rare but what you do in your free time is there anything that you do um well I have most of the weekend off is when I rest cuz obviously you want to rest for the next week of training um but I like to watch TV like Formula 1 if it's on um tell James what you just bought that's what you're doing in your fre time isn't it uh yeah I've just brought a sauna for my back Garden which oh which sounds like you're living the life over here wow sa you watch you watch the F1 in the SAA no I haven't got TV quite yet but it's that's going to come isn't it yeah yeah yeah but you know we spoke about that you know that that you're you're working so hard but but Gavin you know is as a person what would you what would you say he's like as a person behind the scenes sorry just I think what um will is just explain in terms of getting up in the mornings you know at the time he gets up you know if you could describe him as a person it's motivated isn't it it's dedicated it's kind of sacrificing his life to the sport that he excels at um so you know that really stands out with Will and Will's been doing it a long time it's not a case of you know he's just started doing it he's he's he's proven he's got substance so the fact that he can do that it's you know it's an inspiration to kind of of everybody that knows him um and you know what really does come across is hard work will get you anywhere you want and um with Will what he's doing now you know it's it's it's unbelievable we we are so so proud of him I bet you're proud of me as as a tutor as well working alongside him how has ax sport kind of taken him through the academic Journey because as much as he's doing the swiming yeah yeah if Will went to um before he started at accessport he he went to a school in Southold which is part of his swimming club some Felix school and um you don't know it but I'm actually Will's uncle's uncle and um you know in the year 10 started to speak to Will's mom in terms of kind of what we thought would be best for Will and it was always access sport would be ideal for him because we can kind of like tailor a program uh ta tailor our education around his swimming needs right yeah um so you know where on our um on our timetable you know most of the time we do education in the mornings and then the majority of of the other group then go outside to train um we send will home because he's already done his enrichment hours you know in swimming pool at half five in the morning and then he's probably got evening sessions as well so we are we're flexible we're flexible in terms of you know like I say the enrichment hours but education wise you know he's here every every day um so we we're supporting him in everything we can um we also support his strength and conditioning by uh sorting out free membership for him at the um local gym so he he's just come from there so we support him with that but kind of it's just kind of listening to him understanding what his needs are um and just making sure that we support him because you know it looks like he's going to he's going to do very well in the sport well to me definitely I mean that we spoke about the list for I mean it's extensive isn't it and you spoke about St Felix as well and from your point of view with st Felix it's it's been a big part of your life hasn't it how have they helped you Propel forward in in in your career uh yeah they helped me massively like uh especially the school they very much like this college here um uh when I used to go there before I came to access they helped you like uh independently very small classes which helped me quite a lot um and then coming on to here is quite smooth program really um as it's sort of the same and it's like this this course helps me a lot with swimming if it weren't for this course really then I wouldn't be as good swimming as what I am so I'm sure I'm sure you would I think it's just you've got a gift but it's it's having people around you isn't it it's about having that Network around you to help you Propel forwards and speaking of propelling forwards I mean you've been you with been with Team GB I mean what's the process like of being selected for such a just honor really um well it's you get selected on the program and then um they send out what they expect of you to do um definitely being on the program is more being a lot more Under Pressure but it's also excited at the same time um to go to like major competitions they're very strict but they want the best for you as an athlete um yeah and obviously you must face a lot of fierce compe mustn't you when when you're coming against in in such a high level just talk a little bit about about that and the competition you must thrive in it wasn't you yeah I definitely like competing against um like top athletes that are in in my class in swimming um definitely the Brazilian at the moment I beat him at the uh City par swim well Series in March last year which like that was my first ever competition so beating the the the top like world record holder is uh really cool and to race him the top level is definitely one of my highlights how does that feel after that you know when you you beat someone at such a high level what type of Cu you know you see a lot of like Olympians and they win the gold medal and I was talking to to Glenn earlier a little bit about the fact that when you hype something up in your head I can't wait until I I get this onor and then it happens how did you feel afterwards um well I don't really expect much of myself at the time but once I do it um I don't really like to be like uh very cocky about it you know what I mean like yeah but I just um take it in my stride and um it is what it is cuz someone's got got to take take top PE yeah yeah and does that Propel you forward does that make you want to do it even more yeah it does like um once once you beat the top half athletes and definitely pushes you more to try and U beat them the next time and it's definitely good being around them as well cuz they're really nice people as well um I'm sure they I'm sure they teach you things as well you know did you did you get a chance to them to give you any advice um well they're just so relaxed in the cor room because they so long uh definitely teaches me to try and chill out more um but it's definely like don't to have them next to me I bet it is and then to actually perform and win I mean that's a that's another thing and gav you I've seen pictures before of obviously the while he was he was competing his peers actually cheering him on what's that like I mean you know the fact that they so so it's happened once it's happened once and it was when was it last last March it was last March um I got the link sent through from my sister just saying Wills racing This Time It's the final and um it it coincided with one of the lessons that was taking place and we stopped everything we were doing brought the big Telly through put a link in and then will was on the Telly so we've got all of the chairs like around the television and my sister I think she said Will's in Lane six so okay Lads Will's in Lane six and they were like come on will come on he's got this he's got this and we're watching so we counted on the television 1 2 3 4 5 6 right Will's that one and the race start started with' been about 20 seconds Will's in about fifth place I oh he's he's not that good and and he's gone there and he's gone back he's gone there he's gone back and it's finished and um race is finished we'll come about fifth or sixth I can't remember what it was yeah and um and then it it then flashed up will will elod won the race we'd counted from the wrong side so it was one two three four five six and the lads obviously the race was going on and we thought it was in fifth or sixth and you know come on will you can get back in it and everybody like everybody all of the students were up on their feet and they sat down and they were like deflated because we thought we didn't do very well and then but as soon as it then came up you know with the the timings and where they finished will Ard number one honestly it was one of them moments where you know the Goosebumps on the back of your neck ha on the back yeah the hairs on the back of your neck just stood up and everybody was off their seat and honestly they were the students were cuddling each other giving each other high five and it was one of those moments where I wish will would have seen what was like the support he had from from us special yeah it was it was one of those magic moments and um you know you said 2023 was his year it was his year and I think you know with with the students here I think they kind of quickly recognized that he's doing well in this sport um but let's hope 2024 is going to be even better um because it's a massive is coming up isn't it definitely we spoke about the par Olympics you know that that's the big thing but going back to the students and surely will success has kind of made them feel a bit motivated I know it's a different sport but obviously they've seen that and want to be a bit more motivated yeah yeah yeah they've seen they've seen levels haven't they they you know a lot of them most of them do play football and they reach a certain level and what we haven't got on the program at this moment in time is somebody you know playing a a high higher level um because they're currently students it's a little bit different with swimming because will swims with GB but he still studying but the fact that will is now competing at World level you know fingers crossed he's on his way to Paris July August August so in August you know it just sees you know it should kind of motivating the others to think okay they understand what he does you talked about Pilates you talked about having strength and conditioning coaches all of the swimming again like I said earlier hard work isn't it hard work so if the The Lads on the college sces can see what Will's doing then I'm sure that that is motivating them to work harder because we've now got a culture here in lowestoft where the lads are now getting in before college starts and they're on the 3G at half eight in the morning so you know whether that's will you know have an influence but you know they're wanting to to to Really Ed so I'd like to think that it you know it is Will has got something to do with it but you know it's it's a culture that we we've really got here now so our peers are everything though aren't they so like obviously the fact that Will's doing so well I'm sure will be a slight incentive to them to see your vigorous training routine and go right well this is what it takes to reach not just swimming top level but the top level yeah so they see that and that's what they want to do but will you have you obviously got a number of different types of races you're doing the 50 m the 100 m and and and so on but you've obviously proven your versatility to be able to race in all different types but what's your favorite I mean you must have one and why uh well there's there's certain events in my class that um is only allowed um so there's no 50 freestyle which is my favorite event right okay but I have to go more into the 10000 freestyle which I'm working on now in training hard blocker training um but not many athletes really go from 50 to 400 and they focus on one but at the moment I'm trying to focus on loads of different ones which definitely helps like endurance so say if you do 400 freestyle yeah it helps going down to the 200 freestyle because you've got the endurance for the 400 definitely helps more so I'm definitely going on to more the two 10000 freestyle now at the moment so as you progress I mean that's great isn't it to be so there t progressing forward I'm sure as you get as you you know you're speaking about your your routine I mean it puts anyone to shame really doesn't it because it's it's so vigorous and you're training so hard and as you you're only 17 at the end of the day you know you're going to mature physically and once you do I mean I can't see anyone stopping you to be honest I mean looking at you you seem fantastic and you with Team GB and obviously we've spoken about that but what was it like that the first week with them and obviously putting on the gear you know the the the the wearing that must be quite an honor really to to represent your country yeah so I had the the team kick come in the post uh I tried it on the first time that was definitely a special moment like first time um having it on and then going to see like the team it's like I'm like the little boy of the team one of the youngest but um definitely not knowing everyone there uh but it's such a good environment everyone on the team coaches so friendly swimmers like inviting you inviting you on having dinner with them chatting to them all the time is definitely help me as well it makes it more real doesn't it and makes you they kind of seem human to you when you actually meet them rather than you know just seeing them on on the TV but we speak about family and obviously Gavin your tutor but he's also family and I'm sure your parents travel with you everywhere that you go how I'm sure they're more nervous than you when you start racing but must be so proud of you uh yeah the mom and dad say they're quite nervous like Dad shakes before his my race um things like that and Mom uh gets quite nervous um sitting down but um I do get more nervous when I'm not a big Gara cuz obviously I I don't U know what I'm going to do cuz I mean sometimes when I go to main Gallas like this weekend I'm in Sheffield I don't know what to expect of myself cu obviously I'm in hard training at the moment um and I'm going straight into racing but when I'm at the big top gers um I know how I feel and I don't get too nervous before competitions um because I know what I can do uh at that time um as I'm fully rested and um hopefully show most people that I can try and be at the top of the top athletes you speak about the the nerves I mean that's that must be a big thing and you seem to be quite calm and composed under the pressure but how do you deal with that because I'm sure at times there may be times where you don't feel up to it or you may have a little injury that you're you're feeling like not at your best how' you cope with that in the moment um you just got to try and make the most of it um you got to know it's only two minute race or so so just give it your best um that's all most people ask for um sure people understand if you have a injury or illness then and um they know that you're maybe not on your top level but they know that you'll give it your best uh and staying in the composed and staying in the moment is is really important isn't it but on to another subject you were invited to the BBC presenter of the Year Awards weren you so I mean that that's fantastic isn't it I mean did you I'm sure you saw many famous faces on the red carpet what was that like uh yes very strange cuz you don't you don't really think them people are real you see them cuz they're just on TV and they're like the they're like uh you got some good photos in you yeah I've got some good photos we'll have to link them in on on the video because yeah um yeah I've met um Tommy Fury um the boxer uh grman graes yeah you got that right you didn't get the name right well there we go he's on camera and he's he's getting it right so grais card yeah yeah Ian rush and uh what's the uh the right back at Liverpool train no the left back left back Andy Robertson oh well that I'm jealous because of that I mean Andy Robertson to a lot of football and legends isn't it I mean did you get to speak to any of them anyone any of them give you advice in in the industry uh not really but uh Ellie Simmons there the she's been on Strictly Come Dance she was a par Olympic gold medalist five times I think um and she was there we were talking chatting to her for maybe 10 minutes which was good um just about General stuff what strictly was like for her but I didn't really get to speak to the Top Dogs yet well that that'll come won't it I mean hopefully yeah as soon as you you know you start climbing up the ranks and I mean you're already in a fantastic spot at the moment anyway but we've just arrived in 2024 haven't we and you know you've had a fantastic year last year but you're looking to build strong on that aren't you and Par Olympic year is coming up and Paris we spoke about before is your aim so talk a little bit about that um so I've got uh paralympic trials coming up in April which is actually on my 18th birthday it runs from the 2nd to the 9th of April my birthday is on the fourth of April so um and then I'll know maybe two weeks after that if I've qualified for it um and since I've seen like the the par Olympic gold medal like I've been pushed a lot further to try and get towards it more and more every day I like think about it that's like the main goal try and try and get towards that or even step on the podium will be great I mean yeah I'll definitely be watching and cheering you on definitely but I mean you we speak about the par Olympics and I mean that's going to be a big challenge as well isn't it for you but you've already faced that so you're going to be facing other strong athletes what what are your thoughts on that does it make you feel nervous or are you confident enough in your own ability to be able to tackle that um well when it comes to the main competitions like I want to uh me to know in my head that I've tried my best in training and um just go out there and do my best really uh there's always new swimmers that come through especially like in power swimming there's people that get classified and come straight through um the rankings really so you got to be prepared for that and try and keep yourself together and just work on yourself rather than thinking of other people cuz you can't control other people that's a fantastic mentality isn't it to have at such a young age I mean old people around you may try and instill that on you but you've got to go through it sometimes yourself haven't you to to be able to have that type of mentality but that's fantastic but one question to you is that if me and you spoke again in five years that's a long time five years isn't it because you can do a lot I mean you've done so much up until now and you're only 17 but if we spoke again in 5 years where would you like to be professionally but not just professionally personally just answer that um well I like to be someone that I look up to right now now I'd like to be the person that I look up to right now um as it uh definitely motivates people to be like the top athletes and uh definitely idolize the top people and uh well I'd like to be one of the top people in uh GB like swimming wise um and what the top athletes in GB right now they they look they look uh [Music] um it's all right no um one last question for you is that during those tough races we spoke about them before what what goes through your mind just as you're about to dive into the pool what is the last thing that enters your mind before you like write game on and you're focused yeah so the whistle goes to stand up on the blocks and you just think of everyone that's watching up in the crowd they um they're just there to what you do your best um and definitely like what you've done throughout training um you just got to think of that like you don't want to doal with this training and you not to try your best and regret it after 2 minutes later um you just got to give it your best for 2 minutes and then if you've done your best and you haven't done well then it's not that it's not uh like end but if you've done your best and you SU if you success then that's definitely like a big thing what's a fantastic mentality you have and Gavin one last question for you is speaking on his mentality he's got a great he's got an old head on young shoulders already but to maintain that what would be your advice to him as as a mentor almost like you said he has got a brilliant mentality um I think the people that will surround himself with you know he spends a lot of time with family his sister who's a who's a who's a one ful person um his mom and dad you know that is you know that's his that's his close Network um I don't think knowing will he's going to venture too far away from that so I think he'll always remain as he is um success future successes I'm really confident that it won't change him um even though he's doing as well as as he is you know if it wasn't for for other people kind of talking about how well will was done people wouldn't know the you know the other students wouldn't know he's so humble um you know he's not he's not big time you know and he could be big time because of what he's achieved um I just don't think it's in Will's nature um you know to be any different to to how he is now and uh that's credit to himself but also you know his his his family um and I think just touching on your family um they you know they're really proud of you know proud of you and you're grateful for them but you know they they they work everything round their children um and they work everything round will swimming and um will sister had a had a nasty accident in Thailand um a few weeks ago a nasty accident and um your dad didn't he had to fly out to Thailand like as a matter of urgency and he he was out there for 10 days he was out there for 10 days had to drop everything he's self-employed he also works for the NHS so he had to drop everything go out and be with your si will sister and um you know she managed to then come back 10 days later they got they got flight home and it was got back late let's say the Saturday night and then I went round on Sunday morning and there he was packing his bag ready to go to abedine abedine for a week you know got everything ready and you know just so will can just solely focus on his swimming I went around there and joked because will was sitting there arms out on the couch like that as in like Co you look relax will and he just turned around said my job is to perform for yeah you're right and then everybody else is doing everything you know for him and but it's to achieve his goal so it's a team effort and you know what you speak on team efforts and we spoke we've spoken a lot about his mentality because I think that's the key to anything any success you've speak spoken before about that but it's the people around us isn't it it is it is you're right are right um you know my sport is football and it's easy to keep referring to a team because you're playing in the team sport will sport is an individual sport but as we know it's not about just you it's about everybody else and I think Will's got the right people around him not just his family not just his coaches but you know his friends you know they're all really supportive the The Lads here are really supportive um you could look at will and him look at him and being the minority because he is the only nonf football student on the program but they're so supportive of everything he does so he knows that you know there's there's so many people away from that swimming pool when he's on that starting block that are wanting him to do well so it is a team and he's grateful as well you can see that can't you he's he's appreciative and I mean the comment you just said about I mean that sounds like s of being a documentary I'm I'm here to perform but you know what it's been fantastic talking to you both I mean we're going to be we're going to be linking all your achievements so that people can see the type of lad that you are and you're going to have a fantastic career ahead of you and best of luck anyway for the future thanks very much thank you thank you