Up close and personal with Cassandra van Breugel

One- on- one with CVB

Quick questions with Cassie:

1. When and why did you get into swimming?

I started competitive swimming when I was 11. My best friend wanted me to swim with her and my older brother also started competing at carnivals.

2. Where did you grow up?

I have lived on the Central Coast my whole life.

3. How long have you been serious about swimming?

I probably started to take swimming more seriously in 2012 when I set a goal to make a semi-final at Nationals.

4. What’s your preferred event?

I swim the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke at Nationals, but prefer the 200m event.

5. Greatest achievement to date?

My greatest achievement would be making my first National finals at the 2017 Australian Swimming Championships, finishing 5th in the 50m breaststroke and 6th in the 200m breaststroke.

6. What are your sporting and life goals?

My sporting goal would be to make the Australia swim team and my life goal is to become a theatre nurse. More importantly I want to be the best I can be.

7. What has been your biggest challenge and how have you overcome this?

My biggest challenge is my age. People consider that I am too old and I am always asked when I am going to stop swimming.  I overcome this by achieving my goals and working hard to prove them wrong.

8. What do you like doing outside the pool?

I like reading, baking and wearing weird and wonderful socks to Coast Sport.

9. What keeps you motivated to get up early and train?

I love training, I love working hard and finishing a difficult session.  I am lucky to have a great coach and a fun squad to train with and be a part of.

10. Who are your heroes and why?

Liesel Jones is a hero to me. She worked so hard to be the best and had to overcome many obstacles. I have a huge amount of respect for her.

Also, Matt Abood, he proved that age does not define you as a sportsperson as he competed at his first Olympics at age 30.

11. How has Coast Sport helped your sporting journey?

Coast Sport has helped me as they provide me with injury prevention, access to nutritionists and massage therapy.  Brett has been working with me to strengthen my weak areas specific to my stroke to improve my movement and technique in the water.

12. What advice would you give to up and coming athletes?

Rest when you’re sick, see a physiotherapist when you have a twinge or can’t train properly and mainly to have fun and enjoy every achievement and moment.

13. Describe a typical day in the life of Cassie

A typical day beings at 4.15am and ends at 9pm, with 2 swim sessions thrown in with a side of gym, physio, or Pilates depending on the day.

14. Favourite inspirational quote

“Working hard is important, but there is something that matters more; believing in yourself”

15. Favourite restaurant

I mainly eat at home but enjoy eating Thai food if I go out.

Thanks again Cassie, we look forward to seeing you again at the clinic soon.

We will be featuring more Coast Sport Ambassadors soon, so watch this space.

Want to be a Coast Sport Ambassador?

If you are an aspiring local athlete who is doing well in your field and would be interested in finding out more about becoming a Coast Sport Ambassador, please contact Coast Sport on (02) 4356 2588 or email [email protected]