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National | Olympics

Young Māori swimmers dream of making Olympics

An exclusive swim school has taken place in Auckland this weekend called Jetstar Super Swim. Nearly 40 young swimmers were invited to take part in the action in the hope that they could learn something new which would allow them to excel in the sport.

Swimming their way to their dreams and a new experience at that.

Sophie Irving - Te Āti Awa, says, “It's sort of a new experience for me to come to the Jetstar Super Swim Squad.”

These young swimmers qualified for this National Swim squad by winning their age group at one of six events in the NZ Ocean Swim Series.

Dean Kent, Kaiwhakahaere Matua says, “There's some really awesome talent and some awesome kids, just lovely, lovely kids, and it comes down to them if they want it bad enough they’ll make it.”

The ultimate hope is for these kids to be at the Olympics. Being given the tools for their tomorrow. The biggest hope is that they will be like this within the next 8 years.

Tarquin Magner - Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Maniapoto says, “To hopefully make the 2020 Olympics, and to stay in the sport for as long as I can.”

For these four Māori swimmers, this initiative is a welcome delight.

“Excited to see the way the kids have listened and learnt from myself and the other coaches,” says Kent.

It is an initiative which allows the young participants of this module to be successful in their swimming endeavours.

Irving says, “Technique on my freestyle and also about not giving up and how it's important not to think about what other people say just about doing it for yourself.”

The swim school will conclude tomorrow.