An Explosion of talented country swimmers converged on Challenge Stadium for the Alcoa Country Championships held over the 27^th and 28^th of January 2007.  Over thirty clubs and three hundred and forty competitors spanning from as far north as Broome to as far south as Esperance were all vying for medal contention.  A strong sense of country and club rivalry ensured a fantastic atmosphere and guaranteed some exciting swimming action. 

Talented swimmers such as Cacey Grice (16) of Kalgoorlie, Alisha Clarke (14) of Geraldton, Josh Ellett (15) of Esperance, Levi North (17) of Exmouth, Reece Childs (16) of Albany, Bundi (14) and Merindah (16) Dingjan of Mandurah and Amy Branson (15) also of Mandurah were all in outstanding form throughout the two day meet claiming a multitude of medals and impressive times.

Not only did the meet showcase our talented regional swimmers, the event was also the first time all athletes from the Academy of Sport's Regional Development Squad were able to come together at one time, so a series of workshops and specialist development training programs were implemented and conducted over the weekend. 

Biomechanist Jay Davies filmed the Athletes throughout their events for the purpose of using the footage as a working tool for coaches and athletes for the squads swimming development in preparation for the National Age Championships.  

Coaches workshop sessions were also held for the academy coaches, these were lead by Academy Mentor Coach Bernie Mulroy and designed to offer coaches further programming skills in preparation for the National Age Championships being held in Perth from the 11^th - 15^th of April 2007. 

Development Coordinator Sara Levien says "It's fantastic to have Bernie as the Academy's mentor coach, he is a very valuable mentor for both the athletes and coaches, he really encourages and inspires them, it's great to see".

Academy of Sport Regional Development Squad members include:

Females

Name	Age	Club
Adele Schultz	11	Bunbury
Richelle Beswick	12	Esperance
Jemma Hawkins	12	Mandurah
Natasha Dines	13	Geraldton
Casey Doak	13	Katanning
Emma Hancox	13	Geraldton
Hayley Hogen-Esch	14	Mandurah
Alisha Clarke	14	Geraldton
Amy Branson	15	Mandurah
Merindah Dingjan	15	Mandurah
Jasmin Lance	16	Esperance
Adele Clairs	16	Geraldton
Kristy Stevens	21	Exmouth

Males

Name	Age	Club
Liam McKay	13	Kalgoorlie
Ben Swallow	13	Kalgoorlie
Joshua Ellett	15	Esperance
Allan Dennis	15	Geraldton
Reece Child	15	Albany
Casey Grice	16	Kalgoorlie

 

 

 

Written by Emma Kelly