An Ellesmere College Year 11 student-athlete has been selected to represent Guernsey at this summer’s Commonwealth Games.
Tallulah-Mae Rautenbach will be heading to Glasgow to compete in the 50m freestyle and 50 and 100m backstroke swimming competitions against some of the best athletes in the world.
The 15-year-old hopes to build on her success at regional and national level in the past and use her training and experience from Ellesmere College Swimming Academy, where she has been for over three years.
She said: “Representing my island at the Commonwealth Games is a huge honour, and I’m incredibly grateful to Ellesmere College for all the support, coaching, and training that has helped me reach this point.”
Tallulah-Mae moved from Guernsey to Ellesmere College to make use of the facilities and coaching at the school Swimming Academy as well as her educational development.
It was a decision she made after progressing though swimming competitions in her early teens.
She has represented Guernsey at the Island Games and trains with Beau Sejour Barracudas Swimming Club as well as Ellesmere College Swimming Academy.
Guy Worrow, Head Coach at the Academy, said: “Her development is a testament to her commitment and desire to compete on both a domestic and international level.
“She will rub shoulders with some of the best athletes in the world this summer, this will undoubtedly be a fantastic experience for Tallulah that will benefit her both immediately and in the long term she continues to unlock her potential in the pool and in the classroom.
“The Youth Commonwealth Games are happening in Malta next year and I would expect Tallulah-Mae to be there, to get to the Commonwealth Games this summer before any Youth Games tournament shows just how well she is performing.”
In addition, at just 12 years old, Tallulah-Mae notably completed a solo swim from Guernsey to Herm in 1 hour, 33 minutes, and 38 seconds – just 22 minutes off the fastest solo female time recorded, by an adult.
For more information about Ellesmere College Swimming Academy visit https://www.ellesmere.com/co-curricular/sport/sport-academies/swimming-academy.
