Swimmer looking to make a splash at 2020 Paralympics
A young swimmer with ambitions of reaching the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo claimed two bronze medals at last weekend’s British Gas Disability Short Course Championships in Manchester.
Thirteen-year-old Matthew Buckland has mild Cerebral Palsy, though that doesn’t prevent him from also competing in able-bodied competitions.
The Yavneh College student was encouraged to learn to swim by his mother Nicky as a six-year-old, and attended 1-to-1 sessions at Aspire in Stanmore, prior to having his first lessons at school.
Swimming with two clubs over the past couple of years, Barnet Copthall and the London Disability Swimming Club, he’s currently a member of the Amateur Swimming Association.
His latest wins at the weekend saw him claim third place in the 50m and 100m freestyle races, which come on the back of other wins earlier this year at the London Regional Disability Championships at the Olympic Aquatics Center and National Junior Disability Championships in Sheffield.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
