WARRNAMBOOL Swimming Club (WSC) will fly the country flag when it co-hosts a competition in Melbourne later this year.
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The club has joined forces with the Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association (ASCTA) to hold an event at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) in October.
WSC president Peter Logan said his group would make a splash in metropolitan swimming circles.
"We had been thinking about running a meet at MSAC for a number of years then the (ASCTA) approached us with the idea," he said.
"It is the first time in our knowledge that they have asked a country club.
"It will be great exposure for country swimming."
Logan said the special event had been designed to suit WSC members.
"We've structured the program to cater for our swimmers," he said.
"We have included longer distance events and SWD (swimmers with a disability) events in the main program, so they will be swimming against everyone else.
"There will also be events for the under 10 brigade."
Logan said ASCTA would help with preparations but WSC would take the reins on the day of the competition.
He said this allowed the Melbourne-based contest to have a familiar feel for younger swimmers.
"It will give our swimmers the chance to compete in a state premier facility but it will be on their own turf," he said.
"If we're running the show we will be better able to look after our swimmers.
"Hopefully there will be a lot of green caps alongside each other in races."
Meanwhile, youngsters starred at the final round of the South West Winter Swim series on the weekend.
Twenty-seven Warrnambool Swimming Club (WSC) members challenged representatives from Portland, Hamilton, Colac and Ballarat in the three-round event.
WSC president Peter Logan said the development of juniors was obvious in the pool.
"The series results were extremely pleasing especially for the younger members of our squads," he said.
"(They) have all continued to improve over the winter.
"It really gives young, local swimmers to compete without having to travel."
The club's female contingent performed best over the three outings.
Warrnambool had a clean sweep of both the under 11 and 12 girls sections.
"It was very pleasing to see the girls do well," Logan said.
"In the older categories the boys are more dominant but there's a good balance now.
"It goes in waves in regards to new members and it's not always even but we encourage all kids to have a go."
mrooth@standard.fairfax.com.au
