Sport
8 May, 2025
Swimming dream from Burpengary to Brisbane
The Belgravia Swim Team attended the 2025 Australian Age and Open Swimming Championships held in Brisbane from April 10–18, breaking two Queensland records and achieving 20 personal bests (PBs).
The team, which trains at the Burpengary Regional Aquatic and Leisure Centre, delivered a highly successful campaign at the national competition.
Team coach James Paterson led a nine-swimmer squad, with each competitor earning their own achievements. The youngest swimmers made a particularly strong impression:
14-year-old Grace Worrall was the youngest swimmer to qualify in the Women’s Open category.
13-year-old Larni Davis qualified for an impressive nine individual events.
Para swimmer Brooke Cotter broke two Queensland records and delivered the team’s biggest personal best improvement, slashing 20.14 seconds off her time.
Grace Geitz achieved PBs in 100% of her events, meeting all her personal goals.
Coach Paterson said he was extremely proud of the team, which has now attended two national competitions.
“At the end of the day I just stand there and do the yelling and the writing on the board, but the kids are the ones that have to actually do the work,” he said.
“It’s probably one of the hardest sports — if you miss a few days, all of a sudden you’re back at the start. A successful swimmer has got to be almost successful in everything they do, it’s that type of sport.”
Paterson also offered his thanks to the broader support network:
“A huge thank you to the committee members who supported us, and thank you to the families that supported me,” he said.
“Finally, thank you to all our swimmers, and I look forward to an even bigger and better Nationals on the Gold Coast in 2026.”
