Nine Belgravia Masters Swim Team swimmers, aged from 28 to 85 from Burpengary Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Queensland have achieved outstanding results at the 2026 Masters Swimming Australia National Championships, recording strong medal performances, breaking state and national records and showcasing the strength of the club’s training culture and community spirit.
The Masters swimmers competed in 80 pool and open water events over five days. Across the championships, the team finished with 29 medals, including 17 gold.
The event brought together Australia’s best Masters’ swimmers, reinforcing swimming as a lifelong activity for all.
Belgravia Masters show competitive swimming can be sustained well into later life
Aileen Mackinnon, 60, delivered an extraordinary series of swims, breaking a state record across 12 individual events and one national record, earning 13 gold medals, including a victory in the open water event. Marsha Reddiex, aged 83, also broke the Queensland state record in the women’s 400-metre butterfly.
The women’s 4×25 metre freestyle relay team secured a bronze medal in the 280–319 age group, backing up their bronze medal achievement at the World Masters Championships the previous year.
Coaches Deon and James played a critical role in preparing the swimmers, committing extensive training hours and supporting athletes across multiple age groups and abilities.
Reflecting on the championships, Aileen Mackinnon said:
“Swimming at these championships was incredibly rewarding. Breaking 12 state records was an outcome I could only dream of – I’m incredibly grateful to our coaches for their support.
“Beyond the results, the championships helped me make new friends, share experiences and I loved supporting each other as a team. Our women’s 4×25 freestyle relay bronze medal was a great example of teamwork and spirit bringing us home.”
Volunteering and leadership within community sport
Beyond competition results, the championships demonstrated the importance of the community formed at the club at Burpengary Aquatic and Leisure Centre. Belgravia Masters’ Club President and Secretary Neil and Vicki Newman both competed as swimmers, while also volunteering across the full duration of the meet, their contribution instrumental to the delivery of the championships.
Neil Newman serves as Vice President for the Sunshine Coast region of Masters Swimming Queensland, supporting the growth and sustainability of masters swimming across the state.
The Belgravia Masters team is now setting its sights on the next major milestone, the 2026 Pan Pacific Games on the Gold Coast as they continue to build participation, performance and community connection through masters swimming.
To learn more about the Belgravia Masters at Burpengary Aquatic and Leisure Centre, visit here.
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