New Zone Competition to Promote Swimming Development

Swimming New Zealand hopes a new nationwide zone competition will play an important role in the development of the sport.

The inaugural Zonal Championship will take place in Wellington next month, following the national short course championships at the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre in Kilbirnie.

The one-day event will comprise four zone teams with each comprising 20 swimmers 15 years and under and 20 swimmers 16 years and over.

The competition, split into junior and senior meets, will pit the best of each age group against each other.

“It provides a level of competition above club events with our best swimmers involved,” said Swimming New Zealand Events Manager, Kent Stead.

“It is an opportunity for regions to work together on a wider scale and the feedback so far has been outstanding.

“This will be a short, all-action event with each swimmer allowed to compete in a maximum of three races, with 30 races over a two and a bit-hour session in the morning for the juniors and from late morning for the seniors.

“It will provide a real opportunity for talent identification, top competition with a difference for swimmers and we believe it will be exciting for fans.”

The four zones are Harlequins (Northland, Auckland, Counties Manukau); AquaKnights (Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Hawkes Bay); All Stars (Wellington, Manawatu); Makos (Nelson/Marlborough, Canterbury West Coast, Otago, Southland).

The event also includes information sessions and workshops for swimmers after competition and a formal awards dinner, with the event supported by the Brian Perry Charitable Trust.

Zone selections will be made in the coming days.

NZ Zonal Championships