The 2020 SunSmart Country Pennants have commenced in Geraldton. The event was opened on Saturday 29th February by Swimming WA CEO Darren Beazley, Swimming WA Development Officer Justin Blades and Geraldton mayor Shane Van Zyn. The event is being attended by 32 regional clubs with 700 swimmers from every country region participating. These Clubs took part in the traditional march during the opening ceremony with the winning Club to be announced tomorrow at the Medals Ceremony.
Speeches were made by all delegates who attended the opening ceremony. In his speech, Darren Beazley mentioned an exciting opportunity for regional swimmers to travel to Malaysia as part of a WA Country Team in 2020. The trip will include a training camp followed by a competition against local Clubs based in Malaysia. The event will be hosted by D Swim Academy. For more details on this trip, speak with your Club President, Registrar or Secretary.
Beazley also congratulated Jacqui McNamara for being selected as a Technical Official at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. The regional swimming community congratulated Jacqui for her achievement.
During the first day of Country Pennants, there were 227 events run. The racing was competitive with many swimmers achieving personal bests.
Swimming WA held a SunSmart Splash and Dash for 35 children aged between 7-11. There was plenty of support from their respective clubs to cheer them to the finish line. The experience of competing for the first time will prepare them greatly for future Country Pennants.
Swimming WA wishes all swimmers the best of luck for the rest of this weekend at the SunSmart 2020 Country Pennants.
At the end of Day 1 for Country Pennants, the Regional Clubs scores are as follows through to event 240:
A Grade Division:
Bunbury 399
Peel Aquatic 396
Geraldton A 292
Mandurah 280
Albany 207
Exmouth 204
B Grade Division:
Australind 371
GMAS 357
Moora 354
Kalgoorlie 246
Northam 241
Busselton 208
C Grade Division:
Pinjarra 402
Boddington 319
Geraldton C 265
Narrogin 231
Wagin 223.5
Kambalda 184
Wongan Hills 176.5
D Grade Division:
Carnarvon 315.5
Mt Barker 306
York 241
Collie 220
Tom Price 141.5
Morowa 120
E Grade Division:
Gingin 225
Harvey 217
Esperance 184
Dalwallinu 176
Wickham 169
Onslow 137
Paraburdoo 135