Kirralee’s back in green and gold

Pictures courtesy of Delly Carr Swimming Australia

Kirralee Hayes is back in the Dolphins’ team, aiming to beat bronze at this year’s Commonwealth Games.

The 21-year-old, a founding member of Genesis Aquatics at Genesis Christian College in Bray Park, took a break from competitive swimming in 2023-2025.

But she is back and has been selected for the S13 (vision impaired) 50m and 100m freestyle - which she also swam at the 202 Tokyo Olympics - in Glasgow (July 23-August 2)

It is her first time in the Dolphins team since the 2022 Commonwealth Games, in Birmingham, where she won a 50m freestyle bronze medal.

But Kirralee, from Deception Bay, stepped away from swimming after the Queensland Championships that year.

“I struggled with my mental health, my identity,” she said, “for me, it meant stepping away from the sport to encourage myself to grow and find my passions again.

“While I kept up with my fitness in other areas, like doing Pilates and the gym, I had an urge to jump back in, but with no competitive thought in mind.

“I ended up getting a call from one of my former coaches, wondering if I wanted to pop in for a swim and remember thinking he must have read my mind!

“It wasn’t till around April/May 2025 I really started getting the urge, that fire and drive to make a comeback.”

Kirralee said making the 2026 Commonwealth Games team and being a part of the Dolphin squad again made her “feel whole”.

“When I started back, I wasn’t sure what I wanted,” she said, “I wasn’t sure where this would take me or if I would make that comeback.

“But I am glad I did. To be back in the green and gold team environment reminded me of what it is to be a Dolphin and an athlete.

“To grow and inspire others. Don’t hold back. Failing is growth and taking breaks isn’t always a bad thing. Do what you love and enjoy it.

“In the 2022 Commonwealth Games I achieved my first international medal (bronze) with a time of 28.24 and I plan to exceed this (in Scotland).

“I have raced many of the athletes both internationally and nationally. I am truly excited to race again and be a part of this journey.”