The Swimming NSW (SNSW) Regional Development Camp concluded this week at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra, where 20 promising young swimmers—10 male and 10 female aged 14 to 16—trained intensively over four days. Selected from age nationals and the Talent ID program, these athletes were guided by experienced coaches to refine their stroke techniques and competitive skills.
The camp was led by coaches Chris Myers (SNSW), Laura Brindley (Cruize), Kerry Saunders (Hunter), Brandon Lawrence (Kinross), and Shannon Comford (Casino), who focused on all strokes and key swim skills.
On the first day, the swimmers braved a brisk Canberra morning to work on their butterfly technique. Later, a session on backstroke followed, with coach Brandon Lawrence delivering an inspiring talk on swim skills, and the day ended with a fun Olympic-themed quiz.
The second day concentrated on breaststroke, with guest speaker Bianca Fuller sharing her journey from a small-town program to competing in a high-performance squad. The swimmers also enjoyed sightseeing around Canberra.
The final day wrapped up with a freestyle-focused session, followed by some light-hearted shenanigans to end the camp on a high note. The SNSW Regional Development Camp provided a valuable opportunity for these young athletes to enhance their skills and connect as a team.
