Olympians reveal training secrets

Australian Olympian swimmers and water polo players visited the Kimberley last week, holding workshops with youngsters in Derby, Bidyadanga and Broome.

As part of the BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series community program, swimmers Geoff Huegill, Libby Trickett, Matt Welsh and Ashley Callus made the trip to the region.

Australian water polo was represented by Thomas Whalan, Mel Rippon, Alicia McCormack and Broome local Simone Fountain.

The Olympians started their Kimberley adventure in Derby on Sunday, April 21, which was a fitting way to mark swim club Derby Sharks’ 25-year anniversary.

Derby Sharks club president Val O’Meara said the opportunity for local and regional teenagers to learn the fundamentals from sporting professionals was fantastic.

“It is wonderful encouragement for the children to simply swim for fun and be inspired towards competitive swimming,” she said.

“I’d like to congratulate Swimming Australia for bringing the BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series to Derby for the first time. The planning and organisation has taken more than a year but it has been a great day for everybody involved.”

The group held an active and healthy living workshop the next day in Bidyadanga at the Royal Life Saving Society pool, before travelling to Broome for two days.

Day three incorporated a swimming workshop at BRAC, before the trip was finished with a focus on water polo on day four.

Former world record holder for men’s 50 butterfly Geoff Heugill said the trip to the Kimberley would help local youngsters in their quest towards elite competition.

“It is my first time up in the Kimberley, and although it has been a whirlwind tour it has been really enjoyable,” he said.

“It is a great opportunity for us to pass on the elite training methods that we have been taught to kids dreaming of competing at the Olympics one day.

“I grew up in Far North Queensland and remember taking part in a similar program when I was growing up, and getting the chance to meet Lisa Currie.

“Hopefully our presence in the Kimberley can be a similar experience for local kids, and help them continue their interest in water sports.”

The clinics were supported by a community welcome function for the athletes at Pearl Luggers and a sportsman’s breakfast at Zoobar, co-ordinated by the Department of Sport and Recreation and attended by 65 valued sporting volunteers in Broome.

The visiting athletes also attended the Broome Anzac Day dawn service, where Trickett and Whalan laid a wreath on behalf of all Olympians, past and present.