An excellent showing at the Australian Age Swimming Championships has seen Cherrybrook teen Cooper Ritchie named in state talent squads

4.40am starts all in a day’s work for swimming star

Cooper Ritchie has been nominated for NewsLocal’s Junior Sports Star- Individual award. Pictures: Carmela Roche

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Hard work always pays off, just ask Cherrybrook swimmer Cooper Ritchie.

The 15 year-old started swimming competitively at the age of 10.

These days, an average week for Cooper includes nine training sessions a week, 48 weeks a year.

Three days a week feature agonising 4.40am wake-ups so Cooper can put in work before school.

While such an intense workload would be too much for most people to handle, the rewards of Cooper’s commitment and dedication make it all worth it.

Cooper won two silvers and a bronze at the Australian All Age Championships in Brisbane.

At the recent Australian Age Swimming Championships, he won two silvers and a bronze while missing out on only one final.

“That was a really exciting meet, I’d never been to Brisbane before,” Cooper said.

“I’d never medalled before either, so to come away missing only one final was great.”

Following his tremendous success, Cooper has been selected for the elite Swimming NSW Emerging Talent and Swimming Australia Talent Identification Squads.

The 15 year-old has been selected in the Swimming NSW Emerging Talent and Swimming Australia Talent Identification Squads.

Cooper Ritchie has been nominated for NewsLocal’s Junior Sports Star – Individual award.

The Local Sports Stars program is searching for outstanding athletes aged under 18 as well as those who love and contribute to making sport a great experience for everyone.

Award categories are Junior Sports Star Individual, Junior Sports Star Team, Young Sporting Spirit Individual, Young Sporting Spirit Team and Service To Sport.

To nominate someone go to localsportsstars.com.au.

Nominations close on Thursday, August 31.