Junior Programs
One of our many friends at Swimming Queensland is Wayne.
He's going to tell us about how kids can maybe end up swimming for Australia!
Wayne with Jess Schipper
“Thanks, Webster and Tilley.
To succeed in swimming, there are a couple of things that everyone must do, whether they’re a junior swimmer or the best in the world - like Jess Schipper.
All swimmers must listen carefully to what their coach says and try their very hardest to practise the skills they’re taught - all the time!
This means little things like:
· streamlining off the wall – every time!
· swimming all the way to the wall at the end of every lap
· listening and asking questions if they don’t understand.
As you grow and practise, you’ll start to improve quickly. You can get some good ideas on things to work at by reading Coach Scott’s tips.
You should also check out the Australian Junior Excellence Program (JX), which will give you plenty of goals and reward you for the effort you put into becoming a fit, efficient swimmer.
Many swimmers who are part of JX go on to become a member of Swimming Queensland’s Zoggs Development Squads because their swimming skills improve and because they also follow the advice of Physio Peter, Dr June and Dietitian Ruth.
As you can see by looking at the ‘Qld Swimmer Pathway’ there are heaps of opportunities for you and your coach to be recognised and rewarded because of your achievements.
Swimmers who get selected in the squads shown on the pathway get the opportunity to attend camps and clinics all over Queensland and, in some cases, to travel to swim meets in other parts of Australia and overseas.
Swimming Queensland is very proud of the opportunities it gives to young swimmers and of the success so many Queensland swimmers have achieved. Some of the swimmers who have travelled on the pathway include Libby Lenton, Leisel Jones, Nick Sprenger, Ashley Callus, Jodie Henry, Bronte Barratt, Leith Brodie, Stephanie Rice, Andrew Lauterstein and Jessicah Schipper. All of these swimmers have represented Australia and travelled overseas!"