Diving into Confidence and Community: Luke’s Journey with Special Olympics Swimming
Post Created: 01 May 2025
At Onemda, we celebrate the passions and achievements of our participants—both in and beyond our programs. One shining example of this is Luke, a determined and enthusiastic member of our Templestowe community, who has been making waves through his involvement with Special Olympics swimming. With support from his family, friends, and local sporting communities, Luke has grown his skills, confidence, and independence—all while doing something he truly loves. Below, Luke shares his own story in his own words:
In 2022 I heard from my girlfriend Chloe about special Olympics swimming group that swam every Wednesday night at Carey Grammar swimming pool, in Bulleen.
I enjoy swimming, but I am still learning new strokes and techniques such as diving off blocks and breaststroke. It is not a learn to swim group it is a practice and improve group.
This club is called "MIE Melbourne Inner East", and our colours are yellow and black, coincidentally it’s the same colours as my football team, Richmond. Every month we do time clock races so we individually know how fast we can swim for different strokes. This is useful if we want to compete against other clubs so they can put us in appropriate groups for the races we choose.
My favourite strokes are freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke. Three times a year I choose to compete in some state events. I have competed in two events this year: 15th of March in Echuca and 22nd of March at Knox in Boronia. I have competed in Echuca twice previously. This year these were my results:
Echuca Results
- 25m Freestyle - First (off the blocks first time and a PB)
- 25m Backstroke - First (PB)
- 4x50m Freestyle Relay - First
- 100m Freestyle - Third
I love going to Echuca because it is a great historical town. We stayed as a family for a whole week, because my dad played a veteran’s cricket carnival.
My swimming event was only on for the Saturday and on the other days my mum and I went opportunity shopping and sightseeing. In July our Carey Grammar swimming pool will be hosting another state event, and in October it will be in Ballarat. People can choose whether to participate in these events otherwise it is just fun to swim on a Wednesday night for exercising.
Luke’s story is a wonderful reminder of the power of community sport in helping people learn, grow and feel connected. Through Special Olympics swimming, Luke has not only developed his athletic abilities but also created memories, built friendships, and shared incredible achievements with those closest to him. At Onemda, we’re proud to support participants like Luke who pursue their passions with such enthusiasm and heart. Well done Luke, we can’t wait to hear about your next swim meet!
