News Archive

Introducing Patrick Hoey (23), who is a broad-shouldered, super fit and tanned swimmer who is in his last semester studying Commerce and can’t wait for his opportunity to compete in this year’s UniGames.

Name: Patrick Hoey

Age: 23

Sport: Swimming

Degree/area of study: Commerce undergraduate, with a double major in Business Law and Management

Q. What events will you be swimming in at UniGames?
A. 50m Butterfly, 50m Freestyle and 100m Freestyle

Q. What is your pet event?
A. 50m and 100m freestyle, the butterfly is more of a fun warm up.

Q. At what age did you start swimming, and how did you get involved?
A. I began swimming at the age of 8, my friend convinced me to come down to a dive and try meet. I managed to swim fairly well there and got asked to come down to UWA to do some squad training. I won my first state title at the age of 9 and fell in love with the sport from then on!

Q. What do you like most about competing?
A. I’m very competitive – every time I get behind the block it’s a new challenge!

Q. Have you had any major injuries/operations, if so, what was the worst?
A. I was in a road accident a few months ago, which put me out of the water for a while. I had to make some changes to my training as to what I could/couldn’t do. It was tough but in hindsight I learnt a lot about myself.

Q. Who is your favourite sporting hero/idol and why?
A. Michael Phelps, he continues to defy what people said was impossible.

Q. Swimming tends to be an individual sport, but for UniGames you’re representing UWA as part of the swim team, and as a part of Team UWA, how does that change your preparation going into the games?
A. I love team events, there’s nothing more satisfying than swimming for a team and it’s often when I perform my best.

Q. UniGames is a multisport event, are you going to try and watch some of the other UWA teams in action when you’re not in the pool?
A. Definitely, I’m an avid sports fan. I have friends competing in different disciplines, so I will try get to as many sports as I can!

Q. Have you and your team done any team building or bonding things leading up to UniGames (eg team BBQ, fundraising, regular training)?
A. We have had a few race sessions followed by a team dinner afterwards. It has been great to get to know other members of the team.

Q. Who’s the person in your team that no one wants to room with and why?
A. I would have to say the coach, Bobby Jovanovich, he has a tendency to sleep walk and do some seriously bizarre things!

Q. Is this your first UniGames? If not, how many have you been to?
A. I haven’t been able to compete at UniGames the last few years, because it had clashed with national swimming events. This year luckily it doesn’t and I’m extremely excited for this opportunity.

Q. What are you most looking forward to at UniGames?
A. The social aspect is great – meeting people from various sports and universities across Australia is awesome.

Q. Do you have any rituals/superstitions while playing (eg wearing a lucky cap, same warm up etc)?
A. Every time I race I have the exact same warm up to a tee, i.e. have to hit the same stroke rates, times etc.

Q. What do you usually do before a race (eg eat the same thing, say a prayer)?
A. Try and relax, listen to my favourite music. Focus on the race ahead, key parts I want to execute etc.

Q. Is there anything you avoid doing before racing (eg eating a large bowl of spaghetti, going to the toilet)? Why?
A. Avoid heavy foods! That in combination with nerves can be a disaster!

Q. What do you think your chances are at UniGames this year?
A. I’ve had a good few months of injury free training, so I’m just excited to get out there and race!

Q. Who do you think is going to be your biggest rival in the pool (include Uni), and why?
A. I haven’t seen the start list yet, anyone with a lane in the final is in with a chance, especially in sprint events! The current Commonwealth Games champion, Cameron McEvoy, resides and studies at the Gold Coast. He is the benchmark of male sprint swimming in Australia. Any chance I get to race him is an awesome learning experience!

Q. What’s your team’s secret weapon for UniGames (eg a certain player, set manoeuvre, your lineout/scrum)?
A. If I told you that, it wouldn’t be secret, would it ;)

Good luck at the Games Patrick, we look forward to seeing you in the pool!

Media references

Nicole West (Marketing and Communications Officer, UWA Sport Pty Ltd) +61 6488 4309