Competition is what drives Alfie Price, he loves nothing more than doing battle in the pool. Despite his young age he has plenty of competitive swims, and medals, to his name. But nothing in his career so far will match the feeling he’ll have when he steps on the blocks to represent Orkney next month.
The 16-year-old’s season has been disrupted since September by a hip injury, but three gold medals at the Scottish National Age Groups in Aberdeen was a welcome return to form ahead of the Orkney International Island Games, which starts on 12 July.
Alfie was born in Inverness and lived in Durness until he was six, his family then emigrated to New Zealand where his love of swimming began. Since moving to Orkney in 2021, Alfie has been coached by Inga Burton of Orkney Amateur Swimming Club.
His progress has been fast and he’s competed in several meets against senior swimmers, including the 2023 Island Games in Guernsey. Competing in a home Games will be no easy task for Alfie, he’s set to swim in two events most day across the week. Competing in the 50m freestyle, 50m butterfly, 100m butterfly, 50m backstroke and 100m individual medley.
The pressure of competing in a home Games is not something that fazes him, however.
He said: “I’m buzzing to be honest. I’ll have family coming up to watch as well, it’s going to be a brilliant occasion. I competed at the last Island Games in Guernsey and that was probably my favourite competition I’ve competed at. So I’m really excited.
“Having that mix of being part of a team but also competing as an individual I really enjoyed. You get to go around and watch other sports as well so you’re bonding with your team away from your own events.
“Knowing what it’s going to be like is an advantage. It’s going to be tough, it’ll be a pretty high standard and I’m doing roughly two events each day so it’ll be quite intense.”
Intense weeks are not unusual for young swimmers juggling training, competition and school. Training every day before and after school is the norm, but his competitive drive is what keeps him going each day.
Alfie said: “I love the competitive side of the sport. I like racing people one on one and not having to worry about teammates, I really enjoy the battles you have.
“I train every morning before school, except Thursday. I go to the gym every Monday and Friday after school, and I train after school most days as well.”
“It can be quite hard going at times, especially on the days I’m doing harder sets. But once you get used to the schedule it smooths out a bit.”
Alfie’s preparations are being aided by the Performance Development Programme (PDP). A programme run by sportscotland and the Shetland, Orkney, Western Isles and Highland councils. Through the programme support is given to athletes on the performance pathway which includes physical preparation, performance lifestyle support, nutrition support and physio guidance.
Alfie also receives funding from The Athlete Travel Award Scheme (ATAS), a funding programme by sportscotland and the same councils with Orkney Stagecoach also contributing to the Orkney programme. The fund’s aim is to help ensure talented athletes living in rural and island communities have the same access to training, competition and developmental opportunities as athletes living on the mainland.
With travel costs for training and competitions quickly building up for Orkney athletes, and access to other support like physio and physical preparation less accessible, the help is well received.
Alfie added: “I’m away a lot for different competitions, the bill racks up pretty high pretty quickly so it’s a huge help.
“Between my coach and the sportscotland staff I’m well looked after in terms of what to do with my nutrition, physically what to do before and after races to keep me in the best possible shape.”
