From First Lap to World Championships: Michael Kettewell’s MSQ Journey
When a physiotherapist suggested swimming to ease a chronic back injury, Michael Kettewell faced a significant hurdle: he had never actually completed a single lap of a pool. A former footballer, Michael was simply looking for a way to stay active after his injury sidelined him from the field.
“I never swam as a kid at all,” Michael admits. “I would have swum my first lap of a pool in 2021 when a physio said it would be good for my back.”
What began as a quiet, steady rehabilitation at his local Lawnton pool quickly evolved into a remarkable competitive odyssey. Without a coach or a formal squad, Michael took his training into his own hands—literally. He built his stroke from the ground up using the modern athlete’s ultimate toolbox: the internet.
“I haven’t ever had a coach or a squad. I’ve just sort of taught myself through YouTube and asking lots of questions,” he says. “I first started doing lap swimming in the public lanes while my son was a squad swimmer. I cannot tell you how many hours I must have spent on YouTube trying to learn!”
The spark for competition came from watching his son, Hayden, race. Realising he had a “competitive void” to fill after retiring from football, Michael entered his first meet at the Brisbane Northside Masters Valley Pool in August 2023. Though it was his first exposure to competitive swimming, the atmosphere immediately resonated with him.
“The atmosphere that day was pretty friendly and relaxed. It could have been more daunting than it was, but from officials to fellow competitors, it was friendly, inclusive and relaxed.”
Michael highlights the unique culture of Masters Swimming Queensland (MSQ) as the key to his rapid progression. He describes the events as a “pro swimmer experience” that remains deeply personal. “There are sometimes big races on the line, but everyone is so happy for each other before and after the race, which is great.”
That drive propelled him further than he ever imagined. Just a few years after that first tentative lap, Michael qualified for the Masters Swimming World Championships in Singapore.
“From a pride perspective, I managed to qualify for Worlds last year. I really was the only person I met at Worlds with that story,” he says. “Everyone else came from a very strong swimming background… so from a personal pride perspective, that would have to be a highlight.”
Despite his international success, Michael remains humble, noting that he is still “winging it” and perfecting strokes like backstroke and butterfly through trial and error at his current club, Ipswich Grammar. Central to his journey is a deep respect for the MSQ community that made his rise possible. He urges new swimmers to embrace a spirit of gratitude, especially toward the volunteers.
“Yes, trying hard and winning medals, but also doing it in a friendly spirit,” Michael concludes. “The volunteers do an amazing job, and these are all-ages opportunities where you can go from squads to Masters and continue your love of swimming over the years.”
Michael Kettewell’s story is a powerful reminder for the MSQ 50th Anniversary: it is never too late to start, and with enough curiosity and a supportive community, the “first lap” can lead all the way to the world stage.
