Taken from the Swim Canada Website
December 31, 2005

Melbourne, Australia - Following a very long day(s) of travel, the Canadian Youth/Junior Tour Team finally reached their ‘home away from home’ at the St Hilda’s College in the University of Melbourne campus. Upon arrival the team was elated to learn that the Victoria State Championships will be held in the newly constructed Commonwealth Games Aquatic Centre. Two of Team Canada’s practices have been held in the new pool. This open air designed pool has an approximate seating capacity of 10,000 (3,000 permanent and 7,000 temporary) and should generate some great swimming at this week’s Victoria State Championships Open as well as the Australian Commonwealth Trials later in January and at the Games themselves in March.

Head Coach Deryk Snelling, along with Coaches Bill Humby, Russell Franklin, John Grootveld and Xiaoping Lu have the team training two x 2 hour sessions in preparation for the competition which includes teams from the USA, Japan, New Zealand and club teams from across Victoria and other parts of Australia. "We're looking for some great results and feel that our strong team dynamics will prove to be a tremendous asset over the 10 days of racing which begins January 3rd." states Canadian Swim Coach Bill Humby.

“We are anticipating some great racing from Canadian swimmers with the goal of surpassing the performances achieved at our Commonwealth Trials in late November,” adds Humby. The 30 member squad is starting to gel as a Team and is already showing some positive signs of recovering from the jet lag. Stay tuned for regular reports from down under.

The Victoria State Championships Open in Melbourne Australia will begin January 3rd 2006.  Results can be found at http://www.swimmingvictoria.org.au/