PNZ Express Lane – Para-Swimming Talent Search Day

On Saturday 8th March 2014, Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) Talent Identification Manager, Hadleigh Pierson ran the first PNZ Express Lane Talent Search Day. A total of 13 new young swimmers, ranging from 8-15years of age attended this event at Northern Arena in Silverdale, Auckland.

Rebecca Dubber, London 2012 Paralympian, was there on the day to chat and have photos taken with some of the young swimmers. State Swim Safe Advisor Alannah Jury, Swim Teacher Sandra Blewett and four swim teachers from Northern Arena were also there to lend a hand.

After a short welcome and presentation, swimmers were in the water for an hour – working through the PNZ Para-Swimming Talent ID Assessment. The assessment process assisted in being able to group the swimmers into three pathway levels.

Level 1: Fast track swimmers to join a swim club and invite them to the upcoming Para-Swimming Talent ID Camp.
Level 2: Encourage swimmers to join a swim club, with the potential to be invited to the upcoming Para-Swimming Talent ID Camp.
Level 3: Encourage swimmers to continue lessons at a Swim School for next 6-12 months, and re-assess in the future.

More PNZ Express Lane Talent Search Days are coming up in Nelson, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton and Dunedin.

For more information and to register for the programme, contact:

Hadleigh Pierson
PNZ Talent Identification Manager
hpierson@paralympics.org.nz
021 847 820