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19-Strong Team Selected for Budapest

Announcement of the New Zealand Team for the 2024 World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m)


We are excited to announce our team selected to represent New Zealand at the 2024 World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) in Budapest, Hungary, from 10 - 15 December 2024. A team of 19 swimmers will make the trip to the Hungarian winter to take on some of the best short course swimmers in the world.


There were some strong swims across the past few months within the selection window, which included the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and any World Aquatics approved qualifying meets between 23 July - 30 September. Three key competitions held in the Oceania region in this window included the 2024 Apollo Projects NZ Short Course Swimming Championships, the 2024 Junior Pan Pacific Championships and the 2024 Australian Short Course Championships.


Aquablack #250 Helena Gasson (Coast) headlines the team, set to race at her second World Short Course Championships after achieving multiple World Aquatics "A" times. At the 2024 Apollo Projects NZ Short Course Swimming Championships, Gasson announced that Budapest will be her final time representing New Zealand on the international stage. After placing fifth in the women's 100m individual medley at the previous edition of these championships in 2022, Gasson will be hoping to be build on this career-best result in Hungary.


Gasson will be joined by two swimmers who have returned from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, with Aquablack #283 Hazel Ouwehand (Phoenix Aquatics) and Aquablack #270 Eve Thomas (Coast) looking to cap off a big year of international competition.


Emma Godwin (Heretaunga Sundevils), Ben Littlejohn (St Paul's) and Gina McCarthy (Hamilton Aquatics & RPC Waikato) return to the world stage, with both athletes having experienced at least one World Swimming Championships (25m) in the past.


The team consists of thirteen debutants at the World Short Course level.


Sam Brown (Coast) will make his first appearance at a World Aquatics competition, after a stellar swim at the 2024 Apollo Projects NZ Short Course Swimming Championships, where he achieved an "A" time in the men's 400m individual medley.


2024 Oceania Championships medallists Chris Elson (Vikings), Jack Hendy (Club 37) and Neve Tassicker (Ngā Tai Tūātea a Taraika) will be competing at their first World Aquatics meet. 2024 Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships finalists Zoe Pedersen (Coast) and Milana Tapper (St Peter's) will step up to the senior international level after strong performances in Canberra in August, while Larn Hamblyn-Ough (Coast) and Amelia Bray (North Shore) will also being making the step up after competing at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games and Hamblyn-Ough recently returning from the World Aquatics Junior Open Water Swimming Championships held in Sardinia last month.


Brearna Crawford (Waitakere) and Cooper Morley (North Shore) will take a break from their college swimming in the USA to join the team in Budapest to debut at the World Short Course level. Teammates Savannah-Eve Martin (Coast) and Zyleika Pratt-Smith (Coast) join Hugo Wrathall (Jasi) to round out the team, with all three stepping up to make make their senior debut also.


The three coaches selected on the team are Michael Weston (Coast - Head Coach), John Gatfield (Coast) and Willy Benson (Heretaunga Sundevils). Toni Bayliffe will be supporting the team as Team Manager.


Helena Gasson is excited to race alongside a lot of swimmers making their senior international debut.

"I'm really looking to being on a team with so many newcomers, especially some from my own club. I think it's really special to be able to finish my career with the people who are with me daily and it's a great opportunity for me to share my wisdom with them."

Gasson has already set her eyes on the capital of Hungary.

"Budapest is a beautiful city with a rich swimming history. I'm excited to swim in a pool where I have had a lot of success in the past and I hope that can continue for our team in December."

Congratulations to each of the swimmers, their coaches and support team on their selection. Good luck with your preparations over coming months in the lead up to the championships.


New Zealand Swimming Team

Check out the full team list for the 2024 World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) below:

Name
Club
Coach

Amelia Bray

North Shore

Sandra Burrow

Sam Brown

Coast

Michael Weston

Brearna Crawford

Waitakere

Paul Kent

Chris Elson

Vikings

Todd Mason & Roly Crichton

Helena Gasson

Coast

Michael Weston

Emma Godwin

Heretaunga Sundevils

Willy Benson

Larn Hamblyn-Ough

Coast

Michael Weston

Jack Hendy

Club 37

Sander Ganzevles

Ben Littlejohn

St Paul's

Graham Smith

Savannah-Eve Martin

Coast

Michael Weston

Gina McCarthy

Hamilton Aquatics & RPC Waikato

Mat Woofe

Cooper Morley

North Shore

Graham Hill

Hazel Ouwehand

Phoenix Aquatics

David Lyles

Zoe Pedersen

Coast

John Gatfield

Zyleika Pratt-Smith

Coast

Michael Weston

Milana Tapper

St Peter's

Thomas Fraser-Holmes

Neve Tassicker

Ngā Tai Tūātea a Taraika

David Lush

Eve Thomas

Coast

Michael Weston

Hugo Wrathall

Jasi

Peter Burgon

Name
Club
Position

Michael Weston

Coast

Head Coach

John Gatfield

Coast

Coach

Willy Benson

Heretaunga Sundevils

Coach

Toni Bayliffe

Phoenix Aquatics

Team Manager

Please note there is the potential for an additional relay swimmer that may be confirmed later

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