Jenna Jones makes Commonwealth Games swimming team

She is a self-described ‘‘nerd ” who gives her dog orders in Harry Potter spells. Jenna Jones has also just booked her ticket to her first Commonwealth Games.

There are numerous reason Jenna Jones opted for a sporting career in swimming over athletics and a host of other sports she tried as a youngster.

Firstly she loves it.

Secondly, the 21-year-old from Springwood reckons it's the safest sport for her.

“I am the clumsiest person around,’’ said Jones, named onto the Australian Commonwealth Games team on Thursday.

Jenna Jones is going to Birmingham after missing the Tokyo Paralympics.

“I broke my tail bone doing long jump, I dislocated my elbow doing gymnastics and I broke my ankle riding my sisters tricycle that was way too small for me. I was standing on it and fell off,’’ she said.

“I’m action prone. the water is a safe haven.

“It gives my parents peace of mind that I won’t hurt myself in a pool.’’

The vision-impaired swimmer will compete at her debut Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in the UK after competing at the Rio Paralympics as a 15-year-old but missing Tokyo after contracting pneumonia.

Jones said she is thrilled at the chance to be racing on an Australian team with both able-bodied and Para athletes.

“One hundred per cent Paris (2024 Paralympics) is my goal but the Commonwealth Games are really special because we get to race along side able-bodied. It’s just amazing it’s combined,’’ she said.

“We don’t get to interact very often and that’s what is amazing.’’

Jones will be on the team with the retiring Ellie Cole.

The only negative is the trip means time away from her dog Luna.

“In Covid last year I got myself an Australian shepherd and trained her and I spend every single day with her,’’ said Jones, who is looking to study either psychology or dog training and obedience.

“All Luna’s commands are in Harry Potter spells. I’m a bit of a nerd.’’

While Birmingham will be Jones’ first Commonwealth Games it will be Australian Paralympic swimming great Ellie Coles third and last.

Natalie Sims of Team USA (L) and Ellie Cole of Team Australia (R) at the Paralympics in Tokyo.

The six time Paralympic gold medallist, who trained with Jones in the lead-up to Rio, is calling time on her career/

The Hornsby athlete will chase one final gold in her pet 100m Freestyle S9 event.

“We’ve seen Para-sport come such a long way over the last 10-12 years and huge credit goes to the Commonwealth Games - it’s one of the only events in the world where we have an integrated program, so I do have a lot to thank the Commonwealth Games for and that’s the reason why I want to retire at the Commonwealth Games,” Cole said.

Cole and Jones are part of a 27 strong Para-swimming squad competing in Birmingham at the games which run form July 28 to August 8.

NSW has five swimmers in the team in Jones, Cole, Matt Levy from Northbridge, Tim Hodge from Kings Langley and Jasmine Greenwood from Sussex Inlet.

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Originally published as Jenna Jones makes Commonwealth Games swimming team