IT’S all smiles at Port Macquarie Swimming Club as three of its young athletes take to the pool at the Australian Age Championships at Brisbane Aquatic Centre.

It’s the club’s first national team since 2021.

Heats kicked off on 10 April, with the event to run until 18 April.

Competing in nine events across freestyle, backstroke, butterfly and breaststroke, Bianca Harrison (Girls 14s) and Zara Chowdhary (Girls 13s) both from Port Macquarie, and Chloe Higgins (Girls 13s) from the Camden Haven, will take on the best of the best in what is considered the pinnacle of swimming competition in Australia.

To say that they’re excited and ready, is an understatement.

“It means so much to me and the other girls to make it to nationals”, said Bianca just days after winning gold in the 50m breaststroke at the NSWCCC Swimming Championships at Sydney Olympic Park.

“It’s been my goal and I’ve been training super hard.

“I’m proud of all of us and how far we’ve all come in the past few months.”

It’s their coach, Billy Nicholson, who she praises most.

“Billy came in at a great time and has helped us grow and improve our skills as individuals and as a team.

“We all love having him as our coach; he’s amazing.”

In true head coach style, Nicholson, who has coached the girls since September 2023, pushes all the accolades back onto his young stars.

He says their dedication to not only attending training regularly, but being consistent with skills and technique, is what has gotten them this far.

“They have all shown great focus and determination to get to this level,” he said.

With well over 1000 athletes competing, 700 just from NSW, Nicholson said that the girls just need to stay relaxed and trust the process.

“They have practiced everything in training, so they just need to be calm and race well.”

Iesha Athorpe, 20, who is another inspiring young athlete from the club, will compete in an impressive six events at the Australian Open and MC Championships from 21 – 21 April, also in Brisbane.

Meantime, for Bianca, nationals is just one step closer to her dream.

“My ultimate goal in swimming is to get to the Olympics, hopefully the 2032 games in Brisbane.

“It would be an unreal experience, and I would be ecstatic if I made it.”

The Australian Age Championships can be seen on 9NOW from Saturday morning.

By Rikki WALLER