Australian Swimmers to take on World’s best at the 2017 INAS Swimming World Championships in Mexico

Australian swimmers will take on the World’s best at the 2017 INAS Swimming World Championships in Aguascalientes, Mexico from the 29th of November to the 4th of December.

Returning to South America after their domination of the pool at the 2015 Global Games in Ecuador, team officials are confident of another strong showing by the small team of 10 swimmers which includes 4 swimmers making their debut for Australia.

India Biesse-Fitton in the 2013 INAS Swimming World Championships in Noumea

Jade Lucy (NSW) and Jaime-Lee Getson (VIC) dominated the pool in Ecuador winning over 10 Gold medals between them.  Both swimmers return with qualifying times that could see them in for a similar haul of medals. Nikesha Harding (NSW) is another swimmer expected to feature amongst the medals in individual events.

Australia’s women dominated the relays in Ecuador and will be keen for another dominant performance in Mexico with  Lucy, Harding and Getson to be joined by India Biesse-Fitton (VIC) and debutants Casey Stevens (NSW) and Bronte Marshall (NSW) in the relay events.

“While most swimmers will have a large number of individual events we look forward to focussing on the relays, which will provide an opportunity for our younger swimmers to experience the pressure of swimming for a medal.”  Herbie Howard (Head Coach)

Patrick Donachie (NSW) debuted for Australia at the Sydney 2000 Paralympics winning Gold in the 4 x 100m Freestyle relay at the age of 17.  17 years later he is still swimming and still representing Australia.  Donachie will contest the men’s 50m Butterfly, Backstroke and freestyle events along with the 100m freestyle and Backstroke in Mexico and hopefully team up with his fellow swimmers in the relays.

“Patrick has been a senior statesman of our swim teams for many years and has been a wonderful team captain and mentor for the younger swimmers, it is a pleasure to have him on our team again.” Tracy Lawrence (Australian Team Manager0

Donachie will be joined by Ben Morrison (VIC) and debutants Ben Stokes (ACT) and Jarrod Lee (QLD) in the relay events.

 

Contacts

Herbie Howard
Head Coach
0439 723 524
herbieh@bigpond.net.au

Robyn Smith
Chief Executive Officer, Sport Inclusion Australia
0418 979 459


Funding

A self funded team, the team has setup a Mycause page to assist with the cost of representing Australia at these Championships.  Donations can be made to https://www.mycause.com.au/page/159245/australian-swim-team-for-athletes-with-intellectual-impairment

Australian Swim Team

Men
Patrick Donachie (NSW – Campbelltown Amateur SC) 34
Ben Morrison (VIC – Melbourne VIC SC) 26
Ben Stokes (ACT – Woden Valley SC) 17
Jarrod Lee (QLD – Gladstone SC) 16

Women
Casey Stevens (NSW – MLC Marlins SC) 18
Jade Lucy (NSW – SLC Aquadot SC) 20
India Biesse-Fitton (VIC – Vancouver Pacific SC) 18
Jamie – Lee Getson (VIC – Melbourne Torpedoes SC) 18
Nikesha Harding (NSW – Aqua Blitz Toongabbie SC) 18
Bronte Marshall (NSW – Sydney Swim PLC) 18

2015 Australian Swim Team – INAS Global Games – Ecuador