Swimming NSW is proud to announce the selection of nine Mighty Blues who will represent NSW in the pool and on deck as part of our 2022 Touring Team, set to compete at the 2022 Toyota US Open.
Members of Swimming NSW’s Flippers Squad Joseph Hamson, James Koch, Angus Menzies, Ashleigh Oberekar, Ryan Wilkes, and Gabriel Gorgas will make up team NSW.
21 swimmers from Swimming NSW’s performance squads have achieved selection on to Australian Teams this year and have benefitted from the experience of competing at the elite level in events such as FINA World Champs, the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and US Nationals. Still, Swimming NSW performance staff identified a gap with several talented athletes and coaches left wanting for elite competition experience.
“We are two years from the 2024 Australian Olympic Team Trials, and it is imperative to support the development of our NSW swimmers who are tracking towards open success,” said Swimming NSW Coaching Director, Jon Shaw.
“Part of that development is to provide opportunities where these swimmers are exposed to high level competitions and the environment that comes with it, like learning how to deal with the obstacles that accompany travel, and seeing first-hand how performance athletes prepare and race. We need to act now to support these swimmers to achieve their goals of being on the Australian Swimming Team.”
Selection criteria was based on two priority levels which are detailed below, but it was most important that swimmers and coaches had not yet been selected on a 2022 Australian Open or Junior Team to participate.
Team NSW will be led by Head Coach Paul Bruce (Sydney University SC), and coaches Nick Dobson (Knox Pymble SC), and Sam Frame (Valley Aquatic SC).
The 2022 Toyota US Open will be held from 30 November – 3 December in Greensboro, North Carolina.
2022 Swimming NSW Greensboro Touring Team
| Athlete | Club | Coach |
|---|---|---|
| Gabriel Gorgas | Knox Pymble | Leanne Speechley |
| Joseph Hamson | Knox Pymble | Nick Dobson |
| James Koch | Sydney University | Paul Bruce |
| Angus Menzies | Knox Pymble | Nick Dobson |
| Ashleigh Oberekar | Valley Aquatic | Sam Frame |
| Ryan Wilkes | Sydney University | Paul Bruce |
Touring Team Selection Criteria
- Selection Criteria
- Must be a member of the NSW Flippers Squad
- Swam in a A, B or Age final at the Australian World Championship Trials
- Must attain more than 1 qualifying time at the identified meet
- Swimmers who wish to be a part of the touring team and will be full paying
- Must attain more than 1 qualifying time at the identified meet
- Has not been selected on a 2022 Australian Open or Junior team
Priority 1:
Priority 2:
