Mat’land optimistic

14 Feb, 2016 - 00:02 0 Views

The Sunday News

Ngqwele Dube Sports Correspondent
MORE than 150 swimmers are set to converge in Bulawayo for the National Swimming Championships set to get off the blocks at the City Pool on Thursday. Matabeleland Swimming Board chairperson Robyn Smith said they were confident of hosting a successful event following renovations at the City Pool, a development that had been giving authorities headaches following leaks in underground pipes.

Smith said water was pumped into the pool on Friday and everything was on course for the championships and that they were expecting over 150 swimmers.

Defending champions Mashonaland are expected to send the biggest contingent of 78 swimmers followed by Matabeleland with 50, Manicaland (12) while Mashonaland Countryside and Midlands have registered 11 athletes apiece. The championships run until Sunday.

Smith was optimistic that Matabeleland will upstage perennial rivals Mashonaland, who are this year sending a lower than usual number of participants.

“Mashonaland usually have double the numbers of our team but this time around they are fewer and I think this could play to our advantage.

“We have been working very hard at training and I think this time we will give them (Mashonaland) a run for their money. We have 50 swimmers and practice has progressed smoothly and I’m confident we will perform well,” said Smith.

The National Championships provide an opportunity for swimmers to better their own times with the hope of qualifying for the prestigious South African galas.

To add an icing to the cake, the Championships will this year be used to select a national represented side that will represent the country at the African Swimming Confederation (CANA) Zone 4 Gala set for Mauritius.

Mat provincial team

Girls

11/12 yrs: Hannah Evans, Caitlin Cummings, Onye Onovo, Erin Bent, Timea Schultz, Hailey Banda, Arianna Androuliakos, Danika Bruce, Shannon Cooke, Neziah Kinnaird, Tana Nicholson, Munashe Bera

13/14 yrs: Aisha Mohammed, Riana Rollo, Lashay Green, Jamie Van Wyk, Savannah Du Preez, Wandile Banda, Sancia Bravo, Wendy Mpofu, Lindi Bhebe.

15/16 yrs: Maryke Koen, Dudu Mswabuki, Whitney Mears, Jessica McAllister

17/over: Courtney McAllister (captain) Avalon Bruce

Boys

11/12 yrs: Jayden de Swardt, Cory Werrett, Dylan Lee, Codie Selman, Garrick Duff, Courtney Du Preez, Alex Van Wyk.

13/14 yrs: Jake Oostindien Tait Mills Farhaan May Ben Sheasby Joash McKonie Denny Cyprianos Tyrel Cooke.

15/16 yrs: Grant Smith, Jordan Smith, Lavarn Jones, Trei Simon, Liam O Hara, Travis Rainsford, Dale Bruce, Quinton Tayali, Roan Isemonger.

17 over: Brendon Cyprianos (captain), Mmelwa Netsha, Keanu Van Biljon, Ashby Tink, Andrew Cherry, Luke Van Breda, Tristan, Knight.

 

Share This:

Survey


We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey

This will close in 20 seconds