Whangarei pupil makes national swim squad

Chris Benton, right, will join 35 other young swimmers in the Jetstar Super Swim Squad for a training weekend in May. Photo/Cameron Walker

A Whangarei schoolboy has just earned a place in a coveted national junior swim squad.

Eleven-year-old Chris Benton won his age group at the Bay of Islands Classic swim in Paihia on Saturday, the sixth event of seven in the New Zealand Ocean Swim Series.

His win in the 200m OceanKids event has secured him a place in the Jetstar Super Swim Squad. This means he will travel to Auckland for a weekend camp with elite swimmers and coaches in May.

Throughout the season, each qualifying event has allowed children the opportunity to earn a place in the 36-member Squad. The squad is made up of the age-group winners from each of the Ocean Swim Series legs.

After hearing about the camp and placing second at the event last year, Chris was determined to qualify for a place in the 2017 Squad. He spent four to five hours a week training at the Whangarei Amateur Swimming Club to prepare for the event.

Chris said making the squad was never out of reach for him.

"Never underestimate your chances," he said.

His father Michael said he was proud of seeing Chris meet his goal.

"Chris was ecstatic when he found out he had made a place in the squad. It was amazing to see him achieve his goal after 12 months of hard work!"

Event director Scott Rice said the Jetstar Swim Squad was a great passage for young athletes.

"Jetstar's support over the past five years has benefited over 150 youngsters and their families throughout New Zealand," he said.

"It's not just the development of their technical skills but also the confidence they have gained from being exposed to positive Olympic role models as well as training alongside their national swimming peers.

"Many of them have gone on to compete at national level."