Laura Taylor: Next stop Tokyo Olympics for Gold Coast swimmer

She capped a golden year months later by receiving the Gold Coast Bulletin’s Sports Star Award.

In remembering her parents’ sacrifice, which included waking up before daylight for several years so she could pursue her sporting dreams, Taylor said her family were her biggest supporters.

“Dad actually nominated me (for the Gold Coast Sports Star Award),” she said.

“He put in my nomination after my trials then updated it after I won silver at the Commonwealth Games.

“My parents have always been so supportive with driving me to training and getting up at 5am because of the sports I chose to pursue.

“It was really cool to be recognised for all the sports I’ve done.

“It’s a great award and to achieve it was a real confidence boost seeing my efforts recognised.”

Taylor, a Bond University Georgina Hope Rinehart swimming excellence scholarship holder, is eyeing next year’s Olympic Games in Japan.

“It’s definitely one of my big dreams to go to an Olympic Games but I wouldn’t stop there,” she said.

“Making the team would be amazing but I’d then want to come home with a medal.”

We are looking for the next wave of sporting stars, with nominations now open for the 2019 Gold Coast Bulletin Local Sports Stars.

Categories include the Junior Sports Star, Team of Excellence, Inspiration Award and Service to Sport.

Nominees must be 18 years of age or under at the end of the nomination period except in relation to the Service to Sport category, for which the age of nominees is open. Nominations must be based on sporting activity carried out between September 1, 2018 and August 31, 2019.