World Juniors Team Preparing in Doha
Our New Zealand team competing at the upcoming World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships in Israel held from 4 - 9 September is currently in Dubai for their 11-day preparation camp. The team is made up of seven swimmers, two coaches, a team manager and physio.
Whilst in Dubai, the team have been swimming at the incredible Hamdan pool and have also been seeing the sights when the heat of the day and training schedule have allowed with an experience of a Desert Safari, as well as the local area and shopping centres.
Team Manager Byron Reid (Aquablack #149) has been really impressed with how the preparations have been going so far.
"I have been really pleased with the athletes on the team and their application to training, learning and understanding what it takes to make their mark on the world stage. They are a fantastic group, who have impressed me with their application to this campaign. I am really excited to see what the next 10 days brings."
Aquablack #286 Summer Osborne has been named the team captain. Having debuted at the recent World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka and having made a really positive impact within the team, the team felt she was the right athlete for that role.
"I’m honoured and grateful to be chosen as team captain! With both long and short course World Champs under my belt, I feel I have the international experience to lead the team for an epic World Junior championships, and be able to help guide them through the experience of competing on the world stage. This team is full of rising talent and I can not wait to show the rest of the world what we can do!"
The team spirits are high so far, with Finn Harland really enjoying their preparation camp so far.
"Everything’s been going great over here in the UAE, we have such a great team around us and it’s showing in our performances collectively in the pool. We are all building into competition and there’s a real excitement around racing next week."
Keep an eye on our social media and website to stay up to date with the latest news from the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships in Netanya from 4 - 9 September.
World Aquatics have also shared an article about the New Zealand team ahead of the championships
New Zealand Team
Brooke Bennett (Vikings)
Isabelle Gibson (United)
Milan Glintmeyer (Kiwi West)
Finn Harland (Capital)
Summer Osborne (North Shore)
Zoe Pedersen (Coast)
Monique Wieruszowski (Aquabladz)
John Gatfield (Coast) - Coach
Mariano Nani Garcia (Aquabladz) - Coach
Byron Reid - Team Manager
Kayla Briscoe - Physio
