Budding Swimmers Meet Their Heroes at Aquablacks Signings

Some of NZ's top swimmers sign autographs and take photos with young fans

Swimming NZ was very excited to provide budding swimmers and swimming fans with the opportunity to meet some of their heroes at some of the recent national events. These were the first opportunities that Swimming NZ has hosted where kids can get a photo and an autograph at events.

In Hawke's Bay at the 2023 Apollo Projects NZ Age Group Swimming Championships, over 150 kids turned up to have posters and t-shirts signed by some our top swimmers. Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist Lewis Clareburt and Youth Games medalist Mya Rasmussen, one of the newest Aquablacks Summer Osbourne and 2016 Rio Olympian Matt Hutchins represented in Hawke's Bay and brought smiles to many young faces.

The Wellington opportunity on the final evening of the 2023 Apollo Project Division II Swimming Competition saw over 200 kids get a photo and an autograph with Aquablacks Lewis Clareburt and Helena Gasson, with World Junior representative Finn Harland also signing autographs.

A session was held in Auckland on the last evening of the 2023 Apollo Projects NZ Swimming Championships, with top swimmers Andrew Jeffcoat, Carter Swift, Dame Sophie Pascoe, Cameron Leslie, Cameron Gray, Jesse Reynolds, Zac Reid, and Helena Gasson signing autographs and taking photos.

A big thank you to the Aquablacks who gave their time to sign autographs and take photos with the community.

Swimming NZ's Head of Participation & Events, Dale Johnson, thinks this is a great initiative to engage our Aquablacks with the local community.

"It was great to see the smiles on the faces of the kids as they got to meet some of their heroes. Thanks to our Aquablacks for giving their time to help these kids have a really positive experience at these events."

We can't wait to see these opportunities continue at upcoming events. Make sure you don't miss out on meeting your heroes moving forward.