STEPHANIE Millward plans to put some new training techniques into practice when she competes in the British Summer Championships next week.

Box swimmer Millward is contesting just one event at Ponds Forge in Sheffield, going in the 400m freestyle on Tuesday.

Sadly for the 36-year-old, she will not be able to stake a claim for a place in the Great Britain team for August’s European Championships after being forced to sit out last month’s trials due to illness.

However, three-time Paralympian Millward still believes next week’s competition will be a worthwhile experience.

“It’s not the most important competition but I have been trying a few new things in training for the 400m freestyle and I want to see if they work,” said Millward, who trains with Aquae Sulis at Team Bath.

“If I don’t think it makes much of a difference, then I will go back to what I was doing before, but I thought this would be a good opportunity to have a look.

“Unfortunately, this isn’t a second chance to try to qualify for the Europeans. It was a shame I couldn’t take part in the qualifiers, but I wasn’t well enough to compete.

“It is disappointing, but it is what it is. I am still the best in the county at the 100m backstroke and I am up there in the 400m freestyle.

“You would think that would be enough to get you onto the team, but I will just have to watch how everyone else gets on.”

Millward, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 17, is continuing in her quest to compete at a fourth Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2020 despite having her funding withdrawn by British Para Swimming last year.

Since then, Millward has been aided by sponsorship from Trowbridge-based company Hitachi Capital UK, although that has recently come to an end.

Millward – who has won nine Paralympic medals in her career, including two golds in Rio two years ago – is therefore looking for additional help to support her on the journey to Japan.

“Hitachi have been fantastic. They have just kept giving and now it would be great if I can find some more support,” said Millward, who also works as a swimming teacher and life coach.

“The more money you have to help you the easier it is.

“I have to work now to support my swimming so it’s less time to go to the gym, less time for a massage after, everything like that. It all makes a difference.

“I want to get to Tokyo and I think if I am meant to get there, I will do. I will just keep trying.”