Seven of the state’s rising surf sport stars will be heading to the city of churches later this year after being selected in the Australian Youth Surf Life Saving Team that will take on the world in Adelaide.
The team was confirmed on Thursday by SLSA with NSW athletes making up over half of the 12-strong-squad.
Many of these talented teenagers have been on the radar of selectors for some time enjoying success at club, state, and national level.
Indeed some of them have even had a taste of international racing having competed in Japan and New Zealand over the last twelve months.
Keely Booth (Avoca Beach), Redhead’s Jack Curran and Bailey Proud, beach athletes Michael Hanna (Elouera) and Leah Rampoldi (North Cronulla) will join Manly’s Naomi Scott and Anthea Warne (Cudgen Headland) in flying the flag for NSW.
Currumbin’s Ky Kinsela completes the NSW connection originally hailing from the North Coast before transferring his competition rights to Queensland.
The young Aussie squad will be out to continue a proud tradition at the World Championships with the team having won each of the three previous Youth Competitions since the format was introduced back in 2012.
A fourth consecutive title would earn the team not only their place in history, but also confirm Australia’s reputation as one of the great producers of young surf lifesaving talent on the planet.
There’s no shortage of motivation either with the chance to win on home soil sure to be discussed when the team gets into camp later in the year.
NSW Surf Sport Manager Rob Pidgeon congratulated the young athletes on their selection in the Australian Team.
“It’s absolutely fantastic to see these competitors selected to pull on the green and gold cap at a major international competition.
“What it does reinforce is the talent coming through NSW, and I am sure that many of these youngsters will go on to make their mark on the sport not only in Adelaide but in the coming years as senior athletes,” Mr Pidgeon said.
Australian Life Saving Youth Team
Keeley Booth - Avoca Beach & New South Wales RLS
Mitchell Coombes - BMD Northcliffe
Jack Curran – Redhead & New South Wales RLS
Michael Hanna - Elouera
Ky Kinsela - Currumbin
Tiarnee Massie - Maroochydore
Lani Pallister - Alexandra Headland
Bailey Proud - Redhead & New South Wales RLS
Leah Rampoldi - North Cronulla
Naomi Scott - Manly
Brendon Smith - Half Moon Bay & Victoria RLS
Anthea Warne - Cudgen Headland & Queensland RLS
Team Coaches & Management
Brett Dowker – Head Coach
Craig Holden – Assistant Coach
Samuel Dick – Assistant Coach
Rachelle King – Assistant Coach
Max Gonzalez – Team Manager
For further information about the 2018 World Lifesaving Championships click here
Thursday 17 May 2018