Bronte Anderson has been nominated for a Junior Sportsperson of the Year Award, for her swimming exploits in competitions across NSW last year. 

According to Bronte’s mother, Sharon, the 12 year old has been swimming for her whole life, and has competed since the age of five. 

“[Bronte] actually always has swum, because her older brother and sister competed, so she just went along and jumped in the pool, really,” Sharon said. 

“She’s loved it since word dot.” 

The Anderson family moved from Batemans Bay to Yass when Bronte was almost a year old, and from then on it’s been a haze of swimming competitions, with a few other sports thrown in for good measure. 

Last year, Bronte was the Berinba School Champion, Yass District PSSA Champion, competed in South Western Carnivals and won two gold, four silver and two bronze medals, along with a list of more representative honours as long as her arm. 

When asked how it felt to be nominated for her achievements, the shy young woman responded with a simple “Good.” 

Her mother, on the other hand, was overflowing with praise for her talented daughter. 

“Aw, I’m ecstatic,” Sharon said. “As a parent, you couldn’t be more thrilled. 

“She loves her sport, and I love seeing the smile on her face when she competes in any sport, not just swimming.

“She seems to be naturally gifted and talented at any sport she does, and I love seeing her smile.

“She’s got a big smile on her face every time she competes.” 

Bronte often competes in all strokes, however her favourite is freestyle, which she believes she is best at. 

To maintain her medal-winning form, Bronte trains up to twice a week in winter, and five times a week in summer. 

This is simple enough during the hotter season, because Bronte can train in the Yass pool. 

However, during the colder months, they must travel to Canberra to use the heated pool at Ginninderra. 

Due to her arduous training schedule, particularly throughout summer, Bronte’s parents give her a few months break after the swimming season is over to focus on other sports. 

Despite the rest, it is still a full schedule year-round for Bronte. Sharon could not give any specific tips as to how she or Bronte manages the workload, except to say that “I dunno, we just do.” 

“I’m a very organised person, and we just try and do it.” 

Bronte competes in athletics and cross country, and plays netball as well, but her idols are the iconic Campbell sisters. 

The winners of the Sports Awards will be announced on the 29^th of July.