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Acer aims to make waves with Team GB

A teenage swimmer has set his sights on representing Team GB after winning gold at a prestigious competition.

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Acer Woolley, who is from Walsall, was crowned 200fly national champion at the English Schools Swimming Association event held in Liverpool.

The 13-year-old, who attends St Francis of Assisi Catholic Technology College, was part of the West Midlands team that won the overall competition for the first time in its history.

As well as his 200fly triumph, Woolley was also part of the squad that won the medley relay.

And his dad, Simon, believes the medals were just reward for the dedication his son puts into training.

"Acer is absolutely dedicated to the sport," Simon said.

"He now trains full time. He takes part in seven training sessions a week in the pool and six land training sessions – two of which start at 4.30am.

Phenomenal

"As parents we have had to develop a love for the sport because we are either at work, asleep or driving to and from a swimming pool.

"To swim at the level he swims at isn't just a physical thing – it's mental and, of course, he is doing all this while still at school.

"He has little time for anything else. But to win the national 200fly is a phenomenal achievement.

"Now he is determined to go on and compete at the British nationals and I think it's great to see a kid that is so dedicated doing well in a sport he loves."

Acer was first spotted as a talented swimmer shortly after joining Walsall Swimming Club aged just five years old.

He was then promptly encouraged to join Boldmere Swimming Club in Sutton Coldfield where he was given the opportunity to compete at a national level.

And now he is part of the Junior City of Birmingham Swimming Performance Squad – the team that helped former Walsall Olympic swimmer Nicky Gillingham flourish.

"Acer is a driven, focused athlete who aspires to one day represent Team GB," Simon continued.

"Originally his aim was to swim at national level but now the ultimate goal is to wear that GB hat and tracksuit and represent his country. He's so focused that at Easter he didn't even want any eggs.

"He doesn't need to be pushed or coerced at all. He's just determined to be the best swimmer he can be."

Simon revealed Olympians Michael Phelps and fellow Walsall swimmer Ellie Simmons are the people Acer looks to as role models.

"His ultimate hero is Phelps and when it was the Olympics he would set his alarm to 3am to get up and watch him compete," he continued.

"He also looks up to Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds, whom Acer has actually trained with while at Boldmere.

"He also likes City of Birmingham senior swimmer Ben Stanford, who is also a national champion and was captain of the West Midlands team at the English Schools Swimming Association competition."

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