Championships return

The Victorian Country LC Championships are returning to Warragul next year, with the Warragul Leisure Centre hosting the event.

With the 2020/21 competition season affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, original host Mildura reconsidered their opportunity to host the event. After reaching out to several districts, Gippsland offered to take over the role.

Gippsland Swimming president Jacqueline Madden said she was excited to welcome the championships back to Warragul for a second time.

“Gippsland Swimming Inc., with our seven member clubs, are pleased to partner with Baw Baw Shire Council to host 2021 Victorian Country LC Championships. We are working hard to ensure all steps are taken to provide an event to suit current times,” she said.

Warragul Swimming Club head coach Paul Myers said the event may see 500-600 competitors descend on the facility in January.

“It’s great to have it back, Warragul have one of the best facilities for swimming. There will undoubtably be some changes made due to COVID-19, but that may surround spectator limits and it shouldn’t affect participation,” he said.

Warragul held the Gippsland Championships in March, one of the last swimming meets before restrictions halted competition. Swimmers are now looking forward to returning to the pool in a competitive capacity after a long layoff.

The swimming club has seen immense growth over the past few years, from finishing 14th and 15th in the championships to recently seeing a top five finish.

“We want to improve on that result and our goal is to be coming into the competition as the best team soon.

“We have the numbers coming through and now are seeing many of our swimmers in the older age groups now as well,” he said.

The event is a pathway to qualify for the national championships, which Paul hopes to see 8-10 swimmers qualify, including some relay teams.

The Victorian Country LC Championships are open to Swimming Victoria registered swimming members of affiliated country clubs.

The event will be delivered in line with COVID-19 restrictions at the time to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all participants.

Since the outdoor pool reopened six weeks ago, it has been used by swimming clubs from South Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley, the heated pool a much sought-after facility for cold weather training.