Victorian country Championships coming up

It will be a huge three days of racing for the 770 Regional Swimmers headed to the Kardinia Aquatic Centre in Geelong next week for the 2026 Mattioli Victorian Country Championships LC, January 16-18.

Gippsland swimmers will make up a large percentage of those present with the clubs having a number of representatives: East Gippsland 12, Moe 7, Sale 10, South Gippsland Bass (SGB) 71, Traralgon 80 and Warragul 52.

The event is a popular event for swimmers, with families making the most of the time to have a holiday in the area, helping inject funds into the local economy.

The event is a qualifying meet and many regional swimmers are extremely proud to achieve a time and have the honour of competing.

Many of the swimmers come away with great memories, as well as PBs in their events.

The racing is fiercely contested, with clubs and swimmers hoping to be the top ranked club or swimmer in each event.

The swimmers compete in heats in the mornings and return for finals and finish each session with a number of relays – with the rest of the squad always on hand to cheer hard to help bring them home.

South Gippsland Bass will be boosted by arrival of new coach Nathan Foote.
Nathan started his swimming with the club before moving away to Queensland.

Nathan is an Open Nationals Swimmer and understands what it takes to perform at this level, and the challenges faced in competition.

He is an excellent coach, with years of experience, and takes great pride in the achievements of the swimmers he works alongside.

After coaching in Queensland, he returned to Victoria, coaching at Ivanhoe Swim and is excited to start at SGB.

He is passionate about the up-and-coming swimming talent in Australia and looks forward to returning to an area he loved growing up in.

Last year’s event was won by Geelong, with Traralgon in 2nd, SGB 3rd and Warragul 6th.

The Gippsland clubs hope to replicate this effort, maybe even going one better and take out the title.