At just 16, Sienna Toohey has already made waves on the international stage. The youngest member of the Australian Dolphins swim team, she made her World Championships debut in Singapore, with her achievements earning her Commonwealth Games Australia’s Emerging Athlete of the Month for August.

Standing poolside with some of swimming’s biggest stars was a surreal moment for the teenager.

“Everyone was friendly and supportive, but I was extremely nervous standing on the pool deck with some of the legends of our sport,” Toohey recalled.

Despite the nerves, she excelled, placing 13th in the world in the 50m breaststroke with a personal best time and helping Australia claim silver in the medley relay.

That Dolphins cap was earned earlier in the year when she won the 100m breaststroke at the Australian Trials, a race that left her in tears.

“Winning the 100m to become a senior Dolphin was a dream come true,” she said.

“I was emotional thinking about representing my town, club, family, and coaches. Moving away from my brothers and dad to train in Canberra wasn’t easy, so it meant a lot.”

Toohey’s rapid rise is the product of years of consistency and determination. In the past two seasons she has represented Australia at Junior Pan Pacs, toured Japan with Swimming NSW, and dominated the national age championships, where she won four titles, broke two records, and earned selection for the Junior World Championships.

She also etched her name in the record books by breaking Leisel Jones’ long-standing age record.

“There was a lot of talk about me beating her records, but Leisel was very kind and congratulated me,” she said.

“Getting a message from her was pretty cool, I loved it.”

Growing up in Albury, Toohey joined her local swimming club at nine to improve her water polo skills. She often raced against older competitors but says she never let that discourage her.

“I didn’t win many medals, but that never worried me, I just loved swimming and playing water polo,” she said.

Under the guidance of coach Jo Gibbs, she began focusing on breaststroke and by 14 was winning medals at national age championships and racing at World Championship Trials. Missing Olympic selection in the 100m breaststroke by just 0.11 seconds last year only strengthened her resolve, making her ‘more determined to make the team this year’.

Life in a regional town also brought unique challenges.

“In winter it gets pretty cold, and the 50m pool is outdoors. The indoor pool is usually very busy,” she explained.

“I’ve been lucky to be linked with Shannon Rollason at the NSW AIS hub in Canberra.

“Preparing for a meet means heading there for six-week training blocks. It’s hard to be away from my family and friends, but that’s something I’m prepared to do for my swimming and my goals.”

Being named Emerging Athlete of the Month is a milestone that means a lot to Toohey.

“I’m very proud to receive this recognition,” she said. “I’ve always loved watching the Commonwealth Games swimming, and this is a wonderful organisation that supports young athletes.”

Looking ahead, she has her sights set firmly on the Commonwealth Games and beyond.

“My goals are to make the Commonwealth Games team, do my best there, and continue working towards the LA Olympics,” she said.

“Other goals for this year are to finish Year 10 and complete my coaching course. Then the next two years I want to finish school at Albury High, continue to train hard, and keep loving swimming.”

Toohey is quick to acknowledge the many people and organisations behind her success, from her family and Albury-based coaches to mentors like Leigh Nugent and Shannon Rollason, as well as crediting Swimming NSW, Swimming Australia and NSWIS.

With maturity beyond her years, relentless determination and a growing list of achievements, Toohey is proof that passion and perseverance can take a young swimmer from a regional town pool to the world stage.

The Commonwealth Games serves as a platform for developing the future stars of Australian sport and the Emerging Athlete of the Year forms part of a refreshed Awards and Honours program developed by the CGA Heritage and Awards Committee.

The CGA Emerging Athlete of the Year Award celebrates the next generation of Australian sport stars and those that may make an impact for Australia at major sport events in the future.

Over the course of 2025, an athlete will be recognised each month as the Emerging Athlete of the Month and will receive a $500 contribution towards their training and competition expenses.

Three finalists from the monthly winners will then split a $7000 cash prize, with the winner receiving $5000 and the two runners-up $1000 respectively.