Swimming Australia has announced the Australian Dolphins team to contest the Open Water component of the 2022 FINA World Championships in Hungary. They have also announced the Junior Dolphins team to compete in the World Junior Open Water Championships in Seychelles, East Africa.
Belgravia Leisure’s swim squad team members, Bailey Armstrong, Harley Connolly and Piper Sanderson will represent the Australian Dolphins in the open water world championships.
Bailey Armstrong is a part of the swim squad program at Burpengary Regional Aquatic & Leisure Centre in Queensland and says, “I’m very honoured to represent the Australian Dolphins for another world championship. An insane amount of dedication and effort goes into making the team and it will be an absolute privilege to put on the green and gold swim cap once again.”
The team was selected following performances at the recent Australian Open Water Championships at Brighton Beach in South Australia.
Swimming Australia’s State Technical Lead, Mel Tantrum, has been appointed Head Coach of the Open Water team and will be supported by Team Coaches Janelle Pallister, Robert Van der Zant and Belgravia Leisure’s Harley Connolly.
Harley Connolly is Burpengary Regional Aquatic & Leisure Centre Head Squad Coach and says, “It’s an honour to be back on the Australian Open Water team as a team coach. I’m looking forward to guiding our BRALC athletes to exceptional results at their respective world championships. We are building on our successful program and excited to have a rookie Piper make this year’s junior open water team.”
Swimming Australia High Performance Director, Tamara Sheppard, congratulated the athletes and coaches and says, “There were some strong swims at the Nationals in Adelaide and we certainly anticipate that standard to continue to rise, both in the training environment, and when it comes time to perform in Hungary.”
The 2022 FINA World Championships will commence on June 18 in Budapest, Hungary.
Australian Dolphins Open Water 2022 FINA World Championships team
- Moesha Johnston – Griffith University (Queensland)
- Chelsea Gubecka – Yeronga Park (Queensland)
- Finella Gibbs-Beale – Noosa (Queensland)
- Nicholas Sloman – Noosa (Queensland)
- Bailey Armstrong – Belgravia (Queensland)
- Kyle Lee – North Coast (Western Australia)
- Mel Tantrum – Swimming Australia State Technical Lead (Western Australia)
- Janelle Pallister – Griffith University (Queensland)
- Harley Connolly – Belgravia (Queensland)
- Robert Van der Zant – Yeronga Park (Queensland)
- John Rodgers – Noosa (Queensland)
Junior Dolphins set sights on Seychelles
The Junior Dolphins team will be spearheaded by Noosa Junior Finella Gibbs-Beale, who is also set to contest the Open Water World Championships in Hungary in June, with Gibbs-Beale to be joined by Abbey Connor, Jasmine Rayward, Robert Thorpe, Caleb Dryer, Kai Robertson, Clancy Luscombe and Belgravia Leisure’s Piper Sanderson.
Piper Sanderson (pictured above) is a squad swimmer, pool lifeguard and swim teacher at Burpengary Regional Aquatic & Leisure Centre and says, “This is such a great opportunity and I’m excited to represent Australia at Junior worlds”.
The Australian World Junior team was selected following performances at the Australian Open Water Championships at Adelaide’s Brighton Beach in January. Piper won the 19-year-old girl’s 10km event and gained selection onto the Junior Open Water World Championships team.
Swimming Australia Open Water Program Manager, Greg Shaw, said the Junior Dolphins team highlighted the richly talented junior pathway in Australian Open Water swimming.
“It’s an honour to represent your country and I am excited to see what this group is capable of delivering when they are provided the opportunity to race internationally,” Shaw said.
Belgravia Leisure’s Venue Manager at Burpengary Regional Aquatic & Leisure Centre, Daniel McShane says, “We are extremely proud of the team, we know they have the talent, the drive and willpower to be successful at these championships and we wish them all the best.”
Belgravia Leisure’s CEO Nick Cox says, “We’re extremely proud of Bailey, Piper and Harley and their incredible achievements to date. It will be great to see these athletes’ and coaches’ talent showcased on an international stage. We’re wishing them the best of luck in Hungary and Seychelles.”
The World Junior Open Water Championships will be contested from September 1 – 4 in Beau Vallon, Seychelles in East Africa.
Australian World Junior Open Water 2022 Championships team
- Finella Gibbs-Beal – Noosa (Queensland)
- Piper Sanderson – Belgravia (Queensland)
- Abbey Connor – Revesby Workers (New South Wales)
- Jasmine Rawyward – TSS Aquatics (Queensland)
- Robert Thorpe – St Peters Western (Queensland)
- Caleb Dryer – Trinity Grammar (New South Wales)
- Kai Robertson – Revesby Workers (New South Wales)
- Clancy Luscombe – Marion (South Australia)
- Harley Connolly – Belgravia (Queensland)
- Maxine Seear – St Peters Western (Queensland)
- Alex Clarke – Revesby Workers (New South Wales)
