Charlie Della Franca, Navair Singh and Rose Turner enjoyed themselves at the Country Regionals. Photos: Oliver Jacques.
A young Griffith swimming sensation has won four medals and smashed a personal best at a Griffith Regional Aquatic Centre event involving 350 competitors from across the district at the weekend.
The Swimming NSW Country Regionals took place in three locations on Saturday and Sunday: Griffith, Taree and Gulgong. The aim of the meet was to give rural athletes the chance to compete and take a first step in qualifying for regional, state, national and world championships.
Marian Catholic College student Rose Turner, 14, exceeded her expectations at the Griffith event.
“I won the 50-metre breaststroke this morning, and gained medals at the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke yesterday. So, I’ll be competing at the country championships in February,” she said.
“I did the 50 freestyle in 29 seconds, beating my personal best. Overall, I won a gold, two silver and a bronze.”
Rose was cheered on by her friend Charlie Della Franca, 15, who has already qualified for the country swimming championships in Sydney in mid-February.
“I love everything about swimming,” Charlie said.
“You get to make a lot of friends and we have such a nice community in Griffith.
“My dad, Pete Della Franca, is my role model. He was a competitive swimmer who is now our coach. My aim is to compete at the Brisbane Olympics in 2032.”
Local tennis champion Navair Singh, 11, also competed in the event.
“Swimming is good for my tennis. It improves my leg muscles,” he said.
Olympians Kirsten Thomson and James Hickman brought some star power to Griffith.
Two Olympians who now work for Swimming NSW helped organise and attended the Griffith meet: CEO Kirsten Thomson, who won a medal at Sydney 2000, and chief commercial and marketing officer James Hickman, who represented Great Britain at the 1996, 2000 and 2004 Olympics.
“This event gives an opportunity for all of our country swimmers to go to events closer to them,” Mr Hickman said. ”They aim to make times to progress to the country swimming championship in Sydney in mid-February. From there you can go to our state championship in March and then go to the national championship in April.”
Ms Thomson said the weekend was supported by Griffith City Council.
“We know that in regional NSW we’ve got lots of talented young athletes,” she said. ”Our goal is to try and keep them in their home environment for as long as we can, and work to develop the coaches so they can produce the athlete.
“It’s also a great tourism opportunity for the local area where we bring this event. It’s the second time in five years we’ve hosted it here in Griffith.”
Parents and children interested in taking up the sport should message the Griffith Swimming Club on Facebook.
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