Swimming NSW to hold 2015 Country Regional event in Moree

Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre will see swimmers from all over country NSW make the journey to compete at the 2016 Swimming NSW Country Regional Meet on the 9th and 10th January next year.

The main aim of the NSW Country Regional Meets is to give upcoming country swimmers an opportunity to compete against each other at meets which are held in various parts of regional NSW. Three Country Regional Meets are run simultaneously at various venues in the country areas over the same weekend. This year, the meets will also serve as the last chance to qualify for the 2016 NSW State Age Championships.

Introducing the joint venture between Moree Plains Shire Council and Swimming NSW and the opportunity it will provide the swimmers of Moree and their coaches, Swimming NSW Chief Executive Mark Heathcote explained “the involvement of Moree Plains Shire Council in supporting Moree Swimming Club greatly strengthened the Club’s bid and now the people and swimmers of Moree have been rewarded with the hosting rights to one of these exciting meets.

“Moree will see hundreds of athletes and their families making the trip to the meet which will not only provide the swimmers of Moree with a stronger pool of competition for their ongoing development but also present an excellent tourism opportunity for visitors to explore all Moree has to offer.

“The involvement of the Council in conjunction with Swimming Club puts the meet in great stead to be one of the most successful Country Regional Meets of the year.”

Moree Plains Shire Council Economic Development Officer, Mark Connolly, is enthusiastic to see how the community can benefit when everyone works together.

Connolly stated “the event will see approximately 350 competitors plus their families visit Moree and create economic opportunities for a variety of local businesses.

“The Meet has the potential to inject over $1.5 million into the local economy and Council was excited to sponsor the event and promote the Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre to a broad audience.”

The Moree Artesian Aquatics Centre (MAAC) also sees this as an amazing opportunity to not only support the Moree Amateur Swimming Club, but to also showcase Moree and the facility to swimmers and their families in surrounding regions.

MAAC’s Chief Operating Officer Julie Rushby adds “after all it is these event and the attraction of people to Moree that inspired MAAC’s redevelopment.”

Tourism Moree Chief Executive Tammy Elbourne, is also excited about the announcement.

Elbourne states “(we are) keen to work with Swimming NSW, the Moree Amateur Swimming Club and the MAAC to ensure that all visitors to the Moree Plains have a fantastic time, while visiting our Shire. 

“We will be working with all parties including our local accommodation providers, restaurants and cafes, and local attractions to provide competitors and their families with all the information they need.

“Events such as the Swimming NSW Country Regional Meet are extremely valuable to the local economy, our community looks forward to welcoming all families to the Shire in January next year.”

An increase in the Moree Amateur Swimming Club membership and representative swimmers was one the deciding factors for the Moree Amateur Swimming Club to nominate for the right to host this event.

Club President David Devney concluded “(this) is a great opportunity for our club to not only to showcase the facilities we have, but also give our members the opportunity to compete in a regional carnival in our own pool where many families and friends can come along and watch and witness the talents of our upcoming swimmers.

“With the dedication of the current committee and support from other community organisations we are sure it will be an event not to be missed .”

Wagga Wagga Swimming Club will also host a Swimming NSW Country Regional Meet over the same weekend, with one venue still to be announced.

For more information go to www.nsw.swimming.org.au 

Lower image shows the Moree Artesian Aquatics Centre.

5th December 2012 - MOREE ARTESIAN AQUATIC CENTRE OPEN, BUT NOT YET FULLY OPERATIONAL

28th June 2010 - DEVELOPMENT ADVANCES AT MOREE HOT ARTESIAN POOL COMPLEX