| Maribyrnong Mantas Swimming Club |
 formerly Maidstone Swimming Club (est 1967)
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| "life is short, some days you win, some days you learn" |
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From Article in "Moonee Valley Community News" 11th November 2008 Edition Click here for original article. |
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Golden girl in her element 11/11/2008 10:22:00 AM |
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IT has been a heavenly year for superfish Natalie Roberts. The Avondale Heights swimmer glittered in gold at the Victorian age longcourse championships in January before claiming a bronze medal at the age nationals in April. The Maribyrnong College year 8 student was selected to represent Victoria at the Pacific School Games in Canberra later this month. Should the 14-year-old go on to realise her dream of representing Australia at the Olympic Games in London or four years later, she will remember 2008 as the springboard year. Despite emerging as an overnight sensation, Roberts is no storm in a teacup. You are not admitted into the Swimming Victoria Target 2012 Gold squad for no good reason. Reaching the mid-year nationals was the first step in her long road to realising a dream. "It was so exciting," she said. "It meant I had the chance to race against the best and that I was starting to get into the big leagues." Roberts touched the wall in third place in the 200-metre breaststroke. She is ranked third nationally after reaching the final and collecting bronze. Her reaction when she hit the wall was subdued as she did not know she'd snatched third until she checked the results wall at the Chandler Aquatic Centre in Brisbane. "To see my name was overwhelming. It meant that all my hard work was paying off." Roberts' mum, Leanne, watches every stroke. She gets up before 5am on training mornings to ensure her daughter doesn't miss a session. "We went up there with our eyes closed," Leanne admitted. "To win a bronze was something beyond belief." The benefits are starting to show for Roberts. Last week she returned from an all-expenses-paid training camp with the Target 2012 Gold squad that allowed the Maribyrnong Mantas rising star to gain valuable knowledge. Aside from the hours upon hours of training, what is it that sets Roberts apart from some of the other swimmers at her age? "Some of her coaches have said that there is something in her that you just can't coach," Leanne said. |
 Grand plans: The long road to London begins at the Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre for Natalie Roberts. |
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