Record breaking Swimming Waikato contingent to take on the World!

After an excruciating wait, international swimming is back in full swing and we are delighted to have 9 Swimming Waikato representatives competing for New Zealand over the next few months, supported by 4 Swimming Waikato coaches.

First up will be Gina McCarthy (Hamilton Aquatics), Zac Dell (Pukekohe) and Michael Pickett (Pukekohe), who will begin competing at the Mare Nostrum Series Tour in Barcelona, Canet and Monaco from 21-29 May. An incredible three meet series alongside many of New Zealand’s top and up and coming swimmers, racing against some of the top swimmers in the World in some pretty cool locations.

Followed up by, Nikita Howarth (Hamilton Aquatics) and  Joshua Willmer (Pukekohe) competing at the World Para Swimming Championships in Madeira, Portugal from the 12-18 June. Josh will be gaining his very first full international cap, alongside an incredibly successful NZ Team, full of Paralympic medallists.

Next, we have Andrew Jeffcoat (Pukekohe), Kirsten Fisher-Marsters (Hamilton), Laura littlejohn (St Paul’s), and Michael Pickett (Pukekohe) lining up at the 2022 FINA World Championships in Budapest 18-25 June.

This is a first time appearance for Andrew, Laura and Michael at the World LC Championships and the first full AquaBlack representation for Laura and Andrew. In addition, Andrew’s selection times are among some of the most competitive in the World at present, having sat at the top of the current Worlds best times in 2022.

After what we hope will be a successful World Championships, Andrew Jeffcoat and Kirsten Fisher-Marsters will join Jesse Reynolds (Hamilton Aquatics), Tupou Neiufi (Pukekohe), Joshua Willmer,  for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England. The Games will run from 29th July to 3rd August and will boast an incredible mix of talent from countries across the Commonwealth, including Kiwi swim-stars such as Lewis Clareburt and Erika Fairweather.

We round up an incredibly busy international schedule with the Junior Pan Pacs in Hawaii, where we will see Laura Littlejohn suit-up again after what we hope will have been a successful first FINA World Championships for the 17yr old Hamilton based swimmer. Laura burst onto the international stage at the 2021 World Short Course in Abu Dhabi, where she showed great determination to lay down some impressive swims, no easy feat in the midst of the Covid pandemic.

And breath……. 😊

We could not be prouder to see so many Swimming Waikato swimmers and coaches representing our region and New Zealand. So good to see such an experienced team mixed in with a number of our up and coming stars, what a fantastic few months ahead of us.

International Tours in Numbers

  • 9 Swimming Waikato Swimmers
  • 4 Swimming Waikato Coaches
  • 5 Meets
  • 8 NZ Reps
  • 1 Cook Island Rep
  • 4 European Cities
  • 1 USA State

 

Full Swimmer / Coach List (Coach list still TBC)

Mare Nostrum Tour –
Graham Smith (St Paul’s) – Coach
Gina Mccarthy (Hamilton Aquatics)
Zac Dell (Pukekohe)
Michael Pickett (Pukekohe)

 

World Para Swimming Championships –
Sheldon Kemp (Pukekohe) – Coach
Nikita Howarth (Hamilton Aquatics)
Joshua Willmer (Pukekohe)

 

World Swimming Championships –
Andrew Jeffcoat (Pukekohe)
Laura Littlejohn (St Paul’s)
Michael Pickett (Pukekohe)
Kirsten Fisher-Marsters (Hamilton Aquatics)

 

Commonwealth Games –
Andrew Jeffcoat (Pukekohe)
Kirsten Fisher Marsters (Hamilton Aquatics)
Tupou Neiufi (Pukekohe)
Joshua Willmer (Pukekohe)
Jesse Reynolds (Hamilton Aquatics)

Junior Pan Pacs –
Laura Littlejohn (St Paul’s)

 

Bon Voyage Team!