Swimming Australia Rising Stars Recognised In NextGEN Squad

Swimming Australia’s next generation of swimming stars will receive a major boost to their development pathway and future swimming careers thanks to the Australian Commonwealth Games Association (ACGA) NextGEN squad support grant.

Following on from the impressive results at the 2015 Georgina Hope Swimmers Foundation Australian Age Championships and the 2015 Hancock Prospecting Australian Swimming Championships in April, a group of 22 rising stars were identified by Swimming Australia to be part of the NextGEN squad.

From 2011 to 2013, a total of 55 athletes have been selected onto this program (formally known as the Australian Junior Commonwealth Games Squad program), of which 17 went on to gain selection onto the 2014 Commonwealth Games team.

This years’ crop of talented youngsters include Senior World Championship debutant Kyle Chalmers as well as four time Australian Age Champion from 2015 Matthew Wilson (100 and 200m breaststroke, 200 and 400m IM) and triple Australian Age Champions from 2015 Minna Atherton (100 and 200m backstroke, 200m IM) and Shayna Jack (50, 100 and 200m freestyle).

These junior swimmers will gain exposure at International competitions including the FINA World Junior Championships in Singapore and the Australian Junior Commonwealth Games in Samoa.

Swimming Australia Performance Pathway Manager Jamie Salter said the grant will assist these athletes on their development through the Swimming Australia ranks.

“This investment from the ACGA for our Youth Development Programs is invaluable in supporting our preparations for the World Junior Swimming Championships, in Singapore this August,” Salter said.

“It is very exciting for our younger swimmers to have the opportunity to compete against the best youth level athletes in the World in the coming months and gain valuable racing and international competition experience. “

This year’s NextGEN squad could see them selected in future Australian Commonwealth Games teams and follow in the footsteps of previous recipients including Commonwealth Games Gold Medallists, Bronte Campbell, Cameron McEvoy, Taylor McKeown, Ned McKendry, David McKeon and Daniel Tranter.

“I would like to congratulate the athletes on their inclusion in this squad and their recent performances. We look forward, with a vested interest, to see this group of talented athletes on further Australian Swim Teams in the future,” Salter added.

Swimming Australia would like to recognise and thank the ACGA for the support provided for our Youth Development programs.

The 2015 FINA World Junior Championship team will compete in Singapore from August 25 to 30 with the Australian Junior Commonwealth Games taking place in Samoa from September 5 to 12.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World. To reach our audience, contact us at newsmaster@swimmingworld.com.

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