International Elite join Peel Aquatic
Updated: May 5, 2022
Last week Peel Aquatic Club's new Head Coach, Zoë Baker, touched down in Western Australia to join the coaching team and launch the Club’s new performance squad program.
There was certainly a lot of energy on pool deck as training got underway at the Mandurah Aquatic & Recreation Centre.
“I’m so excited to be here in Western Australia and launch the new program at Peel Aquatic Club.” said Baker. “The program has been designed to focus on three areas of swimming: Development, Competitive and Performance. Karen Vlastuin will head up the Development section under my guidance and I have introduced a new squad in our Competitive section, which is a feeder into our Performance programme aimed at achieving National qualification. International level we have a brand new Elite Squad which we are looking to expand on again in August and will be a two year project leading into the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.”
In addition to the Club’s new swimming squad program, Peel Aquatic will be working in partnership with PRAS (Peel Regional Academy of Sport) who have awarded scholarships to 15 of the Club‘s top swimmers this year.
PRAS targets high performing athletes in the Peel Region and provides them with support in reaching their sporting goals and potential at a National and International level.
“I’m delighted so many of our Peel Aquatic swimmers are able to utilise the facilities and support provided by PRAS. This includes strength and conditioning sessions with PRAS Sports Coach, Chris Wing which have been tailored and incorporated into our swim program.” said Baker. “I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with Chris to deliver the best swim program south of Perth.”
The excitement on pool deck doesn’t stop there! Lewis Burras, International elite swimmer and this season’s World’s fastest in 100m & 50m Free, and European Junior Champion, Kayla Van Der Merwe, have also made the move to Western Australia to continue to train under Baker at Peel Aquatic in Mandurah.
Burras and Van Der Merwe are involved with the weekly coaching of the Development and Competitive squads as well as providing mentorship to the Club’s Australian performance swimmers.
Burras and Van Der Merwe will be making their Australian competition debut at the Australian Swimming Championships in Adelaide 18 - 22 May 2022 where Australia’s elite will be competing for a place on the Australian Dolphin team for World Swimming Championships in Budapest, Hungary in June and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, UK at the end of July.
“Peel Aquatic will have a strong contingent at Aussie Trials this year”, said President, Adam Woodage. “In addition to Burras and Van Der Merwe we have four home grown elite swimmers who have individually qualified for the event. It‘s fantastic they will have Lewis and Kayla as mentors and travelling with them.”
2022 Australian Swimming Championships & Aussie Trials will be live streamed on Amazon Prime Swimming Australia from 18 - 22 May 2022. See more...
If you’re interested in joining Peel Aquatic Club and training with some of the best coaches and swimmers in the World, check out the Club’s website and Request a Trial. All new and transferring members receive a FREE 1 week trial before having to join.
We‘re also offering discounted membership to Swimming WA for anyone joining between 1 April and 30 September!