Local swimmers head to Sydney for Nationals

SYDNEY is the destination for the Victorian Schools Swim team for the National Schools Championships this week, with four SGB swimmers in the 135-strong team.

Rex Brocklesby, Archie Smyth and Olivia Holmes were selected again this year, with Gemma Cook joining them for the first time.

The 13-19 years olds race August 21-26 and the 12 and under swimmers will hit the water August 25-29.

Gemma will compete in MC 10-12 girls 50m butterfly, 50m back, 100m freestyle, 50m breaststroke, 50m freestyle and the 200 4x50 medley relay (freestyle leg), whilst Rex will partake in 12-year-old boys 50m butterfly, 50m backstroke, 100m backstroke, freestyle relay and medley relay (swimming backstroke).

Archie will join the 11-year-old boys for the 50m butterfly, 50m backstroke and 100m backstroke, freestyle relay, medley relay (swimming backstroke) and mixed medley relay (swimming backstroke), while Olivia will compete in the 13-14 year old girls 200m backstroke, 200m freestyle, 200m Individual Medley, 50m freestyle, 100m backstroke, 400m individual medley, 50m butterfly, 50m backstroke and freestyle and medley relays.

Gemma said, “I am looking forward to competing against other multi-class girl swimmers that are my age.”

Gemma often has to compete against boys, older girls or able-bodied swimmers due to the lack of multi-class swimmers and multi-class swimming events but in Sydney she will race in her own age group.

Rex is looking forward to catching up with swimmers he met last year and the excursion.

The team is looking forward to competing against some of the best swimmers in Australia at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, as well as the excursions in Sydney on the rest day to either the Sydney Aquarium, Madame Tussauds or the Sydney Wildlife Park.