Gabriel Foo | Team Warwick Swimming
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Can you tell us about your journey into your sport and what inspired you to get involved with Team Warwick?
My love for swimming started when I was 5 years old, when I was cycling along my condominium's pool and fell in. Funnily enough, even without any swim lessons, I managed to wiggle my way out of the pool and that's when I started swimming lessons.
My journey into Team Warwick was an unconventional one. I had been 'retired' from the sport for more than 3 years but I decided to join Warwick's swim team just to experiment and make new friends. Thanks to the people and the environment, I regained the competitive spirit I once had in my teenage years, and eventually my love for the sport outweighed what it was in the past.
What does your typical week look like as part of Team Warwick?
Monday: Swim + Gym
Tuesday: Swim
Wednesday: Gym
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Swim + Gym
Saturday: Swim
Sunday: Chill
On top of balancing academics, career prospects, and social life.
How do you balance your academic commitments with training and competitions?
I use various organisers and planners so that I know what to expect for each week and to schedule other stuff around fixed appointments like trainings and seminars:
OneNote
Outlook Calendar
Google Calendar
More importantly, having discipline and the right mindset for each task and challenge, and knowing how to effectively prioritise and make some sacrifices along the way.
What kind of support have you received through Team Warwick and what difference has it made to your experience?
The support I received at Team Warwick was phenomenal. From Harley (Strength&Conditioning) and Christy (Physio) who immensely supported my recovery and strength training after I sustained a nerve issue and tendonitis on my rotator cuff. Thanks to them, I recovered and managed to hit PB race pace after 4-5 months.
Furthermore, I had great teammates and mentors in Team Warwick and the swim team that made training and competing enjoyable and fun.
These are some of the memories I look back on very fondly.
What has been the biggest challenge in your sporting journey, and how did you overcome it?
Recently, I sustained tendonitis and nerve issue on my rotator cuff. This was more serious than expected and kept me out of training for 3 months, and competing for 4 months. This was a major blow to my final year representing Team Warwick, and my mindset going into term 2 and 3.
However, I received immense support from Harley, Christy, Ed, and my teammates, LG, Lakov, Dilly, and Berk, who kept my spirits high and always kept me engaged in the sport even when I was mentally out of it at times. Furthermore, with such support, I also took matters into my own hands as I diligently did my rehab and strengthening protocols. I did lots of miscellaneous stuff outside in hope of speeding up recovery time.
I managed to return in time for the Great Britain Championships in April that year. I also competed for Singapore at the recent FISU Summer World University Games in Berlin in July.
How has Team Warwick helped you develop professionally and what opportunities has it given you?
Being a part of Team Warwick enabled me to delve deeper into the life of a student athlete. I think values and traits such as discipline, goal setting, time-management, and accountability is what many firms and employers look for in prospective graduates. On top of that, the wonderful people I have crossed paths with have also helped me open up to different perspectives and lifestyles, which will be valuable in the workplace.
Thanks to Team Warwick, I have been able to ease smoothly into my new role as a Graduate Associate at Aon in their Singapore office.
How has your sporting experience shaped your wellbeing and sense of belonging at the University of Warwick?
It has given me many memories to look back on, but most importantly, it’s the friends I made and the fun times and challenges we shared and tackled together that will always draw me back to Warwick and the UK, keeping that part of my life alive.
What are your current sporting goals and how are you being supported in reaching them?
Right now, I'm balancing full-time work alongside training. I still have big goals in swimming, but my mindset has slightly shifted in that results are no longer everything. What matters most to me now is the enjoyment I get from competing and training with friends.
Image: Swim England
What advice would you give to someone thinking about joining a club, performance team, or applying for a scholarship at Warwick?
Go for it. It's a great way to meet people, find out your strengths and weaknesses, and gives you something to look forward to outside of academia as well!
Did Team Warwick influence your decision to study at the University of Warwick? If so, how?
Swimming and Team Warwick were a blessing in disguise, and I can say for sure say that representing the Warwick at BUCS and BUSL was one of my main highlights at university.
Charlie Nova Content Contributor, Warwick Sport
Charlie is passionate about fitness, health, and wellbeing. He enjoys climbing, lifting, running, football, and is always eager to try new sports.
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