New Zealand put 21 newcomers on para-swimming pathways

The camp included coaching and advice, pool sessions, classification opportunities, and information on the para-swimming pathway.

Following three months of searching around the country, 21 new and developing para-swimmers were invited to attend Paralympics New Zealand’s (PNZ) annual Talent Identification Swim Camp held in Silverdale, Auckland, over the weekend.

This year’s swim camp had a major focus on para-swimmers in the S1 to S5 classifications, and doubled as key part of the PNZ Express Lane Programme, which has been funded by the Agitos Foundation’s Grant Support Programme.

The swimmers were treated to an inspirational talk by Paralympian Mary Fisher, who shared with the group her swimming experiences since her outstanding performance at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

The swim camp was led by Timaru’s Josh South, a highly experienced coach at Talent Identification level and Gary Francis of Auckland, who is coach to Paralympian Rebecca Dubber. They were supported by a team of four club coaches.

The camp included coaching and advice, pool sessions, classification opportunities, and information on the para-swimming pathway.

PNZ Talent Identification Manager Hadleigh Pierson said: “We were thrilled with the record number of para-swimmers at the camp. We have worked hard as part of the PNZ Express Lane Programme to increase the number of people with a significant physical impairment involved in para-swimming.”

Camp attendees included:

Waiheke Island: Charlotte Cleverley-Bisman

Auckland: Tupou Neiufi, Olivia Upston, Jaden Movold, Mekyle Govender, Peter Konings, Sarah Colquhoun, Paddy Walsh, Sionann Murphy, Cody Matthews, Harry Randall

Whakatane: Olivia Hay

Napier: Kate McKelvie

Wellington: Ross Livingstone, Amy Noble

Christchurch: George Adam, Ieuan Edwards, Celyn Edwards, Mikaela Singleton

Queenstown: Ella Macbeth

Wanaka: Kylie Pilkinton