Fyfe selected for Australia Youth Olympic Festival

Swimming Western Australia
Published: Oct 31, 2012 12:42:05 PM

Thirty-six of Australia’s best young swimmers have been selected to compete at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF) in Sydney this January, in a meet that has proven to be a strong pathway to Olympic selection. Australian record holder Damian Fyfe (Perth City) is the sole WA representative to be selected in this prestigious team.

Last held in January 2009, six swimmers from that team in Mitchell Larkin, James Roberts, Daniel Tranter, Jessica Ashwood, Bronte Campbelland Leiston Pickett went on to represent Australia at the London Olympics this year.

The 2013 AYOF to be held from January 16-20 at Sydney Olympic Park, will see swimmers aged between 13 and 17 compete against the likes of China, New Zealand, Brazil, Hungary, Canada, Japan and a combined Oceania team.

Swimming Australia’s High Performance Youth Coach Vince Raleigh, who will also look after the team as Head Coach for the meet, says the opportunity for these young athletes to race internationally is a huge step in their development.

“Racing international opposition is very different from an Age championships, or even State Teams event and to get the opportunity to do that in Sydney is a really good experience for these young athletes,” said Raleigh.

“We know that performing well on this team can play an important step in the pathway for a young athlete, and with China, Japan and Canada set to be some of the stronger competitors, the chance to race these nations is vital at this stage of their young careers.”

SWIMMING COMPETITION

17 – 20 January 2013

VENUE

Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre

Free entry for Spectators

PARTICIPANT NUMBERS

146 Athletes

Max. 18 Athletes per team – (9 men & 9

women)

56 Team Officials

Max. 8 Team Officials per team

EVENTS & FORMAT