The Sydney Uni Sports & Aquatic (SUSAC) played host to 75 disability swimmers – the biggest meet of its kind – at the inaugural Sydney Uni Swim Club (SUSC) Access Swim Meet on Saturday afternoon.
Generously supported by City of Sydney, Special Olympics NSW, Fine Print and Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness (SUSF), the Access Swim Meet saw 4 Australian records broken, with Jordan Dessent leading the way in the 13 years S7 classification.
Dessent was dominant in the 100 fly (1.37.92) and 200 backstroke (3.21.12), breaking records in both races.
Amanda Flower in the 15 years S14 classification 200 butterfly (2.49.88) and Maddison Elliott in the 13 years S8 classification 200 freestyle 2:38.14 both smashed records.
The afternoon also saw the appearance and racing expertise of eight disability swimmers who will head to London next month as part of the Australian Paralympic team, once it is formally announced on July 10.
Three of those athletes – Prue Watt, Katrina Porter and Sarah Rose – who are all part of the Sydney Uni Access Swim Program, signed autographs for other participants at SUSAC pool deck (participants also received a free prize pack which included a t-shirt and a host of other gifts).
Over 30 swimming events were held exclusively for swimmers with a disability and events ranged from 15m participation races to a 400m freestyle event to cater for males and females of all swimming abilities.
The youngest competitor was just 8 years of age, the eldest was 75, and swimmers traveled from as far and wide as the ACT, Central Coast, Bathurst and Newcastle – highlighting the diversity of competitors that competed at Saturday’s meet.
Sydney Uni Swim Club Coach Vanessa Smith was extremely pleased with how everything went on Saturday saying, “The event was a huge success and it was great to see swimmers from all ages and disabilities showcase their talent.”
“More importantly everyone went home with a smile on their faces and a medal around their necks.”
For information on SUSC’s Access Swim Program please contact: Vanessa Smith on [email protected] or 02 9351 8735.
