Congratulations to WHiPA Lloyd Morrison Reaching for the Podium scholarship recipient Julia Borlase.

Congratulations to swimmer Julia Borlase who has been awarded a WHiPA Lloyd Morrison Reaching for the Podium scholarship.

Julia Borlase is currently 16 years old and swims with the Pirates Swim Team under coach Steve Francis. She has been swimming competitively for 5 years and was encouraged to join by her sister after she began. Since joining, Julia has found a love for the sport and has gone on to achieve many goals.

At her first New Zealand Age Group Nationals, Julia surprised everyone by getting a gold medal in the Girls 14 year old 200m breaststroke. A year later she gained a bronze medal at the New Zealand Open Championships in the same event, qualifying her for the New Zealand Development Squad. Last December she also won a bronze medal at the Queensland State Championships in the 200 Breaststroke in a massive 2 second personal best, gaining her a spot on the Youth Olympics Long List.

This year, after a successful National Age Group Nationals (2 Golds, 1 Silver and a Bronze) she was placed on the New Zealand 2018 Australian State Team. At the moment she is training hard to achieve goal times and enjoy the sport as much as she can.

She hopes that the WHiPA Scholarship will enable her to take the next step in the sport and push her to greater success as well as providing important support.

Congratulations Julia!

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