Danny Mills insists it is all about the greater good this month as the University of Manchester swimmer bids to sign off from the BUCS Nationals in style.
Mills is hurriedly preparing himself for this year’s BUCS Nationals, the UK’s largest annual multi-sport event which takes place in Sheffield between February 20-22.
And for the 24-year-old it will be an emotional time as he signs off from the event with this being his last year.
The BUCS Nationals is a competition that hasn’t been too kind to the Manchester Aquatics team ace with Mills still awaiting his first medal.
But while Mills has three chances of making that happen this year as he competes in the 200m, 400m and 1500m freestyle events, he admits he isn’t focussing on personal accolades with the trip to the Steel City all about ensuring his University of Manchester team finish as high as possible.
“I’ve competed in ten BUCS competitions overall including short and long courses and this will be my final one,” he said.
“Obviously I want to do the best I can but I also want to try and score as many points for the team as possible and get us placed highly.
“I want to go out there and give one last big swim under the Manchester name.
“I’m also coaching our team this year so it’s interesting looking after myself as well as the team but we have a couple of weeks prep still.
“I want to put as many good swimmers out there as I can.”
With the 2015 BUCS Nationals being Mills’ last, it is time for the student to turn his attentions to life after university.
And while Mills admits he would like to continue swimming competitively he knows that is easier said than done as he turns his attentions to doctoring.
“I want to keep swimming but it’s going to be very hard whilst being a junior doctor,” he added.
“It means I want to do even better in Sheffield though because I know this could be my last chance of a really big win.”
British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) is the national governing body for Higher Education (HE) sport in the UK, representing more than 150 institutions. Covering 52 sports BUCS aids grass roots participation through to supporting aspiring elite athletes en route to Commonwealth or Olympic Games www.bucs.org.uk
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