Echuca Swim Club has delivered an outstanding performance at the recent All Juniors Championships held at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, with the regional team proving country swimmers can match it with the best in the state.

A team of 11 ESC athletes travelled to Melbourne to compete, proudly representing the Echuca-Moama community.

The squad included:

Junior Team: Amelia, Kaitlin, Sadie and Natalya.

Senior Team: Sophia, Jack, Matilda, Oscar, Charlie, Hunter and Charlotte.

These athletes come from a range of local schools including Moama Anglican Grammar, St Joseph’s Echuca, Echuca 208 Primary School and St Mary’s Primary School, highlighting the strong connection between local education and community sport across the region.

The junior swimmers achieved a perfect result, recording nine personal best times from nine events — a remarkable effort and a testament to their preparation and confidence on the big stage.

The senior group was equally impressive, achieving 27 personal bests from 30 events, showcasing consistency and determination across a highly competitive program.

Standout performances came from Charlotte and Jack, who both qualified for finals in all four of their events — an exceptional achievement at state level.

Charlotte delivered a standout meet, claiming gold in breaststroke and finishing fourth in backstroke.

Jack also impressed, taking home a silver medal in breaststroke and placing fourth in freestyle.

Charlie also performed strongly, earning a reserve position in the butterfly final and narrowly missing a swim, a result that reflects his continued development and competitiveness.

Behind these results is the consistent training environment provided at the Campaspe Aquatic Centre in Echuca, where swimmers train year-round under the guidance of Head Coach Vanessa Laidlaw and her coaching team.

The program focuses on building strong technique, resilience and confidence, while fostering a positive and inclusive team culture.

For many of these swimmers, balancing school, training and travel to Melbourne is no small feat.

Their performances reflect not only individual dedication but also the strength of the club’s supportive environment.

Vanessa Laidlaw was a constant presence poolside across the weekend, providing guidance, encouragement and expertise.

Her commitment to developing swimmers of all levels continues to be a driving force behind the club’s success.

The club also acknowledged the vital contribution of parents and families, whose support — from daily training sessions to long weekends away — makes opportunities like this possible.

Echuca Swim Club continues to demonstrate that regional programs can deliver outstanding results while maintaining a strong community focus — creating pathways for local young athletes to thrive both in and out of the pool.

For anyone interested in joining or learning more about training opportunities, please contact Echuca Swim Club at: echucaswimclub@gmail.com

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Thursday, 11th October 2029

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