Inspiring Confidence in the Water
Freya Anderson x FAST & Female
We recently supported a FAST & Female clinic led by Olympic medallist Freya Anderson. The aim of the day was simple: to help young female swimmers build confidence, develop their skills, and better understand the realities of competitive sport.
FAST & Female focuses on creating a positive environment where girls can learn from experienced athletes, ask questions, and gain perspective on both performance and wellbeing.
When we asked Freya what FAST & Female means to her, she spoke openly about how the initiative has impacted her personally:
“Through running the clinics I’ve become more confident in myself. I used to think if my own swimming wasn’t going well then I didn’t have anything, but I feel F&F has given me a purpose and that puts pressure off my own swimming. I absolutely love doing the clinic days and feel so grateful every time we do one.”
Her reflection highlights an important point: even elite athletes can feel defined by results. By contributing to the development of younger swimmers, Freya has found a sense of purpose beyond performance alone.
She also shared the advice she would give to her younger self:
“Strap in because it’s going to be a very bumpy ride, but everything that happens will shape you into the person you are today. I’d also say that athletes aren’t superhuman and everyone has setbacks.”
For young swimmers, this perspective is valuable. Progress in sport is rarely linear, and setbacks are part of development. Hearing that message directly from an Olympian reinforces the importance of patience and resilience.
FAST & Female continues to promote confidence, community and long-term participation in swimming. Through initiatives like these, young athletes are supported not only in improving their performance, but in building the mindset needed to sustain a healthy relationship with the sport.