Surf Life Saving NSW is pleased to confirm the selections for the 2018 NSW U18 Pool Rescue Development team to tour New Zealand in October.
The 9-strong team of talented 16-18 year olds will travel to Auckland to compete at the New Zealand Pool Rescue Championships to be held at the Sir Owen G Glenn National Aquatic Centre at AUT Millennium.
This tour is a great stepping stone for younger athletes to progress in the sport of Pool Rescue and be given a pathway to representative team opportunities in surf lifesaving.
The athletes have been chosen on the back of stellar campaigns in the NSW and Australian Pool Rescue Championships, and while some have already had the thrill of pulling on the sky blue cap for the bulk of the team, it will be their first overseas tour.
Umina’s strength in Pool Rescue is underscored with the selection of four athletes in the squad including the impressive Kayla Holmes and Lachlan Braddish who gained multiple medals this season.
They will be joined on the plane by their fellow club mates Blake Hessel and Kirsten Miller, while the duo of Lexi Harrison and Jordan Lefevre will be flying the flag for Newport.
Rounding out the team are Joseph Warne (Cudgen Headland), Zara Sharman (Bulli) and Emily Curran (Caves Beach) reflecting the growing strength of the sport around the state, and not just in the traditional powerhouse areas of the Central Coast and Sydney Northern Beaches.
The New Zealand Pool Rescue Championships are one of the most competitive in the world. Successful athletes will not only be competing against some of the best pool rescue athletes but will also gain tuition through top level coaching.
With the World Championships of Lifesaving to be held in Adelaide later this year, it will be one of the last chances for the Kiwis to tune up. They will be no doubt be keen to make the most of it before travelling down under to defend their title.
Susan McCaughtrie will lead the team for the first time as coach where she will be assisted in management by Max Gonzales, an experienced competitor on the pool scene.
Surf Life Saving NSW Sports Officer Chiara Nowland believes the tour is the first step on the journey to higher honours for what is a very young team.
“Many of our senior NSW athletes cut their teeth on tours like this so it’s a wonderful opportunity for our teenage stars to travel to New Zealand. The event promises to be an outstanding competition.
“We wish them all the very best of luck and congratulate them on their success of being chosen in the team,” Ms Nowland said.
Athletes and Team Management will leave Sydney’s shores from 11 October with the Championships to be held from October 12-14. The squad will participate in a number of pre-tour training sessions in the coming month.
2018 NSW U18 Pool Rescue Development Team:
Zara Sharman - Bulli SLSC
Emily Curran - Caves Beach SLSC
Joseph Warne - Cudgen Headland SLSC
Lexi Harrison - Newport SLSC
Jordan Lefevre - Newport SLSC
Kaylah Holmes - Umina Beach SLSC
Kirsten Miller - Umina Beach SLSC
Lachlan Braddish - Umina Beach SLSC
Blake Hessel - Umina Beach SLSC
Team Management
Head Coach – Susan McCaughtrie
Team Manager - Max Gonzalez
Monday 27 August 2018