Fifty enthusiastic swimmers benefited from a two day SunSmart Regional Development Clinic held in Kununurra at the Kununurra Leisure Centre on the 5th and 6th of October 2006.
Designed to develop and enhance the skills of talented Kimberley swimmers the clinics offered both junior and high performance regional squad members from Derby, Broome and Kununurra the opportunity to develop and acquire new skills. Several Northern Territory swimmers also joined the Kimberley swimmers for the clinic making it a highly successful two days.
The clinics included drills to enhance stroke and technique development and racing skills along with valuable coaching tips from clinic coaches, Olympians Antony Matkovich and Martin Roberts. In conjunction with the swimming programs Peter Anderson held a two day Technical Official course to develop the skills of local officials.
ASAOC Development Officer Sara Levien who ventured north for the clinic believes it was a great success, "It was fantastic, the athletes gained valuable knowledge and experience thanks to both Antony and Martin. It was great weather and the swimmers learnt a lot, all round it was just a tremendous two days."
Junior clinic coach, Olympic Swimmer Antony Matkovich said "Its terrific to see so many kids turn up who love swimming, the kids enjoyed the clinics so much, they had huge smiles on their faces and they really wanted to be there, they were so keen to learn and very enthusiastic".
"It's also great to see swimming is still alive and well in all regions of Australia not just in and around the capital cities, especially the younger generation".
Kununurra Swimming Club President Sue Wilson also believed it was a positive event "A lot of kids attended, the kids found it to be really worthwhile, it was also great to see the Northern Territory swimmers come down and join in on the clinics".