Simmonds, who will be competing in only her second IPC Swimming World Championships, has been named as part of a 30-strong British team that will battle it out in the event which takes place from August 15 until 21.

Simmonds was just 12-years-old when she competed at her first World Championships in Durban and two years later, she claimed the nation’s hearts with her tearful celebrations at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. 

The Swansea-based athlete will be joined by multi-Paralympic champions Dave Roberts and Sascha Kindred as Britain aims to cement their place as one of the most successful swimming nations in the world. 

John Atkinson, who is set to take up his role as National Performance Director on May 1, believes that the competition will be a vital learning curve for the youngsters in the team ahead of the London 2012 Paralympics. 

Atkinson said: "Having seen the trials in Sheffield, it is good to see a number of athletes achieve qualification that haven’t competed at a major international competition before.

"There are nine athletes that will be competing at their first major international competition and the team has a good mix of youth and experience.

"The blend of experience and previous medallists together with youth is good for the future development of the team.

"This event gives first time athletes the opportunity to step up and work hard to be successful in the lead up to 2012."

Atkinson also stated that the talented side has what it takes to produce victory at the highest level. 

He said: "For any team the aim is to improve from the trial event to the benchmark meet of the year.

"I believe that if the swimmers work hard in their training and achieve improvements then they will put themselves in a good place for success at the World Championships.

"I begin my new role on the 1 May and we go straight into a training camp in Majorca which will be my first opportunity to build relationships with the staff, coaches and athletes.

"I think that this will give us all the chance to work as a focused group as we prepare for success on the world stage."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
April 2010: Pepper is hot stuff in Sheffield
April 2010: Welbourne breaks own European record in Sheffield
April 2010: Reddish pleased with British Swimming's build-up to London 2012
April 2010: Double world record at British Championships
March 2010: Kindred sets world record in British Championships