Synchro Australia and SynchroVic are pleased to announce that Melbourne will host the Hancock Prospecting Australian Open and Age Group Championships at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) over Easter.
Synchro Australia Interim President Marina Kholod is delighted to welcome a record number of more than 160 competitors from Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and China.
“We are ecstatic that the support of major sponsors Hancock Prospecting and Sport and Recreation Victoria enables us to provide this outstanding opportunity for young athletes to experience competition at a national and international level,” says Marina.
Victorian Synchronised Swimming President Tony Maher is pleased that Melbourne is host to the event this year, noting that members of the 2016 Australian National and Olympic synchronised swimming teams will compete at the Championships, showcasing the sport at elite level.
“The ongoing support of Hancock Prospecting has been vital to the development of world-class synchronised swimming in Australia and we were very proud to qualify and compete at the Rio Olympic Games, one of only eight teams,” says Tony.
“The Hancock Prospecting Synchronised Swimming Australian Championships provides opportunities for synchronised swimmers of all ages and levels of experience to shine on the national stage,” says Tony.
Current national team members Hannah Cross, Emily Rogers, and Jemma Singleton from Victoria, Western Australia’s Rose Stackpole, Danielle Ketterwell, Amie Thompson and Deborah Tsai, and Queensland’s JoAnn Lim, Cristina Sheehan and Nikita Pablo will provide inspiration for younger competitors.
“If anyone needs evidence of the skill and strength required to reach a high standard in this sport, they need only watch our top women battle it out,” says Tony. “Following the Championships, athletes will take part in trials for selection of the National team to compete at the 2017 World Championship to be held in Budapest in July.
This year, Donella Freeman (nee Burridge) synchronised swimming trailblazer, one Australia’s first synchronised swimming Olympians (competing in the 1984 LA Olympics), and past FINA World Masters Champion will compete in the Masters category.
The Hancock Prospecting Synchronised Swimming Australian Championships features Free and Technical events for competitors starting at the 12 and under age category up to Open and Masters, with events judged according to the level of skill, difficulty and artistic impression.
Synchronised swimming continues to grow in popularity amongst girls attracted to the unique fusion of swimming, gymnastics, ballet and theatre.
For the first time, the Championships will include live underwater video coverage allowing spectators a rare glimpse of the action below the waterline.
Spectator entry to the event is FREE.
