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23 Far North Queensland swimmers have qualified for the Australian Swimming Championships this month, setting a new precedent for elite athletes in the local sport and adding to calls for a new High Performance Centre of Excellence.
14 swimmers from the Woree-based Cairns Stingrays Club alone will be competing, including five in the open division.
Head coach Sander Ganzevles, a human movement and swimming scientist who was head-hunted from the Netherlands and German National teams says he’s looking forward to his athletes achieving personal bests.
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“I am very excited, this is the pinnacle of the year,” he said.
“Three years ago we had one boy going to Nationals and now we’ve had 14 qualified.
“We as Cairns are getting to that level where we’re closing up to the biggest clubs in Queensland.
“Queensland is the fastest state in the world.”
Among those competing in the open event is 19-year-old Marcus West.
It will be his fourth Nationals and he’ll have a busy schedule, competing in the 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle, the 100m backstroke, the 100m butterfly and four relays.
“Each day I have a race, some days I have two, some days I have three and I think one day I have four,” he said.
“There’s always a bigger goal to make the international team.
“If I can make Commonwealth Games (in Birmingham this year), then I’ll be happy because that’s a big achievement.”
He said a spot in an Olympics team is also in his wildest dreams.
Joining him in Adelaide is 14-year-old Trinity Anglican School student Jessica Deane, who’ll be competing at her second Nationals and is hoping to do well in the 100m butterfly, among many other events.
“You’ve got to put your blood, sweat and tears into it,” she said.
“It’s definitely going to be different because we had less people last year.”
Woree Sports and Aquatic Centre Manager Jason Salecich says the success of the local athletes adds to the argument for a High Performance Centre of Excellence at the venue.
Mr Salecich says a new centre could help the next generation of both able-bodied and disabled swimmers achieve their dreams in Brisbane in 2032.
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“Having a facility that develops coaches, that develops kids and brings kids in from regions as well.
“It’s the perfect opportunity, there’s a federal election coming up and these type of facilities can bring revenue, can bring economic stimulus and most importantly keep the kids in the town and keep them training in Cairns.”
The club is already affiliated with the Cairns Academy of Sport and sport scientists at CQU.
It's appealing for funding for a new classroom for university students, a 25-metre pool and accommodation for visiting athletes.
Coach Sander Ganzevles said many kids already have their sights set on the Brisbane Games.
“Olympics is the biggest thing there is so a lot of kids want to be there,” he said.
“They’re already working towards that.”
Main points
- 23 Cairns swimmers have qualified for this month's National Championships
- The Cairns Stingrays Club has the most representation
- Woree Sports & Aquatic Centre is seeking funding for a High Performance Centre of Excellence
