Sport
19 February, 2025
Swimming making waves across the North West
Swimmers and coaches were put through their paces at Splashez Aquatic Centre on Saturday.
Swimming North Queensland development coach Chris Hanson says it is only a matter of time before the North West produces the next state and national champion.
He said swim meets across the region were well attended with committed competitors that were showing promise in the pool.
“It takes a lot of dedication but with the right level of commitment this region could definitely produce a Queensland or Australian champion,” he said.
Hanson was in Mount Isa last week to lead a three-day clinic that saw experienced coaches review the talent of our swimming teams and give advice and instruction on a range of techniques, including strokes, starts and turns.
At the same time, the parents of competitors were trained in the administrative skills required to oversee local competitions.
The clinic also featured a mini carnival at Splashez Aquatic Centre on Saturday, which saw more than 60 competitors apply what they had learned in a race environment.
Road closures across the North West reduced the number of participants at the clinic and carnival, with only Mount Isa and Cloncurry teams able to attend.
The event should have featured teams from Richmond and Normanton.
Among the competitors at the mini carnival were Mount Isa Heat swimmers who had just returned from Brisbane where they participated in the Queensland Sprint Championships.
Luca Baccari said the four competitors recorded personal best results in their respective races.
“I think every time I get involved in a competition, I am feeling a little less nervous, which is helping to improve my results,” he said.