Proof that excellence grows with experience, the Belgravia Masters Swim Team made their mark at the 2025 Great Barrier Reef Masters Games in Cairns. With swimmers spanning a range of age groups, the team returned home with an incredible 59 medals!
Held at Tobruk Memorial Pool, the event drew over 300 competitors from all over Queensland, interstate and overseas and it was our Masters Swim Team who stood out from the crowd, bringing home 35 gold, 17 silver and 7 bronze medals. The Games took place from the 29th of May over an exciting three days, including an open water swim event which took place at Lake Barinne on the 1st of June.
At one of the most competitive events of the swim season, Burpengary Regional Aquatic and Leisure Centre (BRALC) sent a team of eight swimmers from their team of 22 to compete against top talent. The team members named were Neil Newman, Vicki Newman, Aileen MacKinnon, Narelle Phillips, Marsha Reddiex, Trevor Reynolds, Claire Lonergan and Rebecca Cawood.
In the Great Barrier Reef Games, Marsha Reddiex put on a standout performance in the 400 Fly, breaking her own National record with a 10:14 finish time. Reddiex also broke records for 200 Fly and 50 Back.
Teammate Aileen MacKinnon broke the state title in the 200 Fly with a 3:24 finish, placing 5th for the women’s swimmer of the meet. MacKinnon broke records for the 400 Free, 200 Free and 100 Free. Narelle Phillips broke the record for the 400IM in a display of unshakeable determination.
In the Open Water Swim at Lake Barrine, Narelle Phillips & Marsha Reddiex competed in the 1.5k swim, both placing 1st in their age groups (Narelle 75-79, Marsha 80-84). Aileen MacKinnon swam the 3k swim and took out the gold for her age group (55-59), Neil Newman swam the 3k swim and placed 3rd in age group (65-69), capping off the event with further victories.
The team trains regularly at BRALC under Coach Deon Barnes, with most of the swimmers having been Master Members for many years. “We regularly compete at interclub, state and national meets so our goals are always evolving around the swims offered at each of these events,” said Vicki Newman, Secretary for the Belgravia Masters Swim Team.
“Our members range in age from 29 to 84 and have numerous state and national records to their credit.”
The community of BRALC have rallied their support for the team as the Belgravia Masters now prepare to swim in Singapore to compete in the World Aquatics Masters Championships next month. If the Masters Games are any indication, the team have set the stage for even greater accomplishments to come.
Members of the wider community are welcome to join swimming sessions with qualified coaches at BRALC.
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