Blog
Madeleine Cassar - European Junior's: Part 2
By Madeleine Cassar
European Junior Swimming Championships
In my last blog, I wrote about the buildup to the European Junior Swimming Championships which were held in Slovakia in July and how excited I was to qualify. Looking back now, I can honestly say the whole experience was even better than I could have imagined. It was a week full of tough races, new lessons, and memories I will never forget.
What I Enjoyed Most
From the moment I walked into the pool, I could feel the intensity. The level of competition was higher than anything I’d experienced before, but instead of being intimidated, I used it to motivate me. The atmosphere and the people around me reminded me of why I love racing so much and I was excited to start the competition.
Standing behind the blocks at such a big competition was both scary and exciting. My nerves were buzzing. Racing in a completely new environment taught me how to stay calm and focused, no matter what was going on around me. Even in the new environment, I did my usual pre-race routine. I found a space to do my pre-pool and in the pool I did my normal warm-up which I usually do with Coach Jack at competitions. This helped calm my nerves as it allowed for the competition to already feel more familiar.
Another highlight was meeting swimmers from all over Europe. There was a mutual respect for each other as we all understood how much hard work it took to be there. I loved chatting to people from other teams, swapping stories about training, and even teaching each other bits of our languages. By the end of the week, I felt like I’d made friendships that will last beyond the pool.
What Was Different
Whilst racing in Slovakia many things were different. For example, the stands were full of teammates, coaches, and parents constantly clapping and chanting. This created a unique atmosphere and the noise whilst swimming really made it feel like I was at a major competition. Another big difference was in the call room. As soon as I walked in, they checked my race suit for FINA approval (the badge on the back of my skins), checked my cap, and put black tape over some of my stuff it (things that were different sponsors), it was a detailed process. Then I had to sit in silence with my competitors until it was time to walk out to race.
Everything about European Juniors felt more professional. From warm-up procedures to how the officials managed the pool deck, everything was strict and organized. It forced me to be more disciplined with my timings, recovery, and nutrition to make sure I was always ready to perform. That level of structure really showed me what it means to prepare like an elite athlete.
What I Learned
Competing at Europeans taught me so much, both in and out of the pool. I learned how important it is to stay focused and calm, even when the atmosphere is intense and everything around you feels overwhelming. I also realised how much preparation matters, not just training, but planning my warm-ups and recovery. I learned how to adapt quickly to a new racing venue, from getting used to the pool and changing my pre-race routine slightly to make it work. Every little detail can make a difference when the competition is this big. Most importantly, I learned to trust myself and my training.
Overall, the European Junior Swimming Championships was so much fun, and I’m really grateful I had the opportunity to be part of it. It was an amazing experience, and I’ll always remember how it felt to be there. Hopefully I will get the same opportunity again next year.
World Junior Swimming Championships
Not long after I got back from Europeans, I found out the amazing news that I had qualified for the World Junior Swimming Championships in Otopeni, Romania. I truly believe that being part of Hamilton Aquatics, one of the best swimming academies, played a big role in helping me reach this milestone. The training, support, and guidance I receive every day have helped me grow not only as a swimmer but also as a person. Unlike Europeans, which is just for the continent,
Worlds brings together the best juniors from all around the globe. It’s one of the biggest stages in junior swimming and a stepping stone towards senior international success.
When I found out, it felt unreal. I knew the competition at Worlds would be even tougher, but I was ready to embrace the challenge and see how much I could push myself. By the time Worlds came around, I had already competed in plenty of races and gone through another block of training. I was tired, both mentally and physically, but I kept persevering because I knew how much it meant to race at that level and represent my country.
What I Liked Most
One of the best things for me was having some of my Hamilton teammates there, as well as Coach Stuart Sant who I already knew and trusted. That made such a difference. At a competition this big, everything can feel overwhelming but having familiar faces around gave me a sense of familiarity. It meant we could cheer each other on and motivate each other for all our races.
I also loved racing swimmers from countries I’d never competed against before. Lining up next to someone from halfway across the world was both nerve-wracking and exciting. The atmosphere was crazy in the best way possible. It was even louder and more intense than Europeans, which made me more grateful that I had the chance to be there.
What I Learned
I learned so much from this competition, both in and out of the pool. Competing in Romania taught me the importance of staying confident, even when I knew there were swimmers faster than me. It would have been easy to let that intimidate me or distract me, but I quickly realised that comparing myself to others wouldn’t help me perform my best. Instead, I had to trust my own training, stick to my race plan, and believe in my abilities. Keeping that mindset helped me stay focused in every race and reminded me that self-confidence can be just as important as speed!
It again highlighted how much the little things really matter. I already knew it, but being at this level reminded me how easy it can be to forget. Every detail of recovery, sleep, nutrition, and mental preparation can make the difference between an okay swim and a great one. Competing against such talented swimmers made me much more aware of how I prepare myself, both before and after each race, and how important it is to get those small things right.
Lastly, I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been following me along this journey so far. From the buildup to European Juniors, to racing on the international stage, and now qualifying and competing at World Juniors, it’s been such an exciting ride. The support from my family, teammates, coaches, and friends has meant so much to me, and it’s reminded me that swimming is never just about one person its about the whole team around you. I’m grateful for every message, every cheer, and every bit of encouragement. This is only the beginning, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me next.