Aussie Lifesaving Team To The Rescue In Europe

Surf Life Saving Australia, November 14, 2013: The Australian Lifesaving team will fly out to Europe today (Thursday, November 14, 2013) for what the Aussies are hoping will be the start of a renewed conquest for the team to regain its coveted World Champion title.

Australian head coach Danny Short and his nine-strong team, including London Olympian and dual international Ryan Napoleon know they face some real challenges in the pool rescue-based competitions to be conducted in The Netherlands/Belgium and Germany.

Short says his team has to continue the momentum they have built at the recent Commonwealth Championships and International Surf Rescue Challenge in Japan where the rejuvenated Australian team defeated arch rivals and reigning World Champions New Zealand, three Tests to nil.

Australia will compete at the inaugural and unique BeNe Cup, to be conducted simultaneously in two pools in the Netherlands and Belgium and then at the world class German Cup in Warendorf, Germany.

These competitions are the first pool Lifesaving meets since the 2012 World championships where Australia will race against the Kiwis, the Italians and the Germans as well as a raft of world champions from The Netherlands and Spain.

“As coach, my expectations are that we will continue to improve. I am focused on our own results - nobody else’s,” said Short after a short camp in Sydney.

“I would like to see incremental improvements as we build to the 2014 World Championships in France next September.

“I am excited with the new blood in our team led by London Olympian Ryan Napoleon, multiple Under 19 Australian Pool Lifesaving champion Matt Davis from Bundaberg and of course the talented Mariah Jones from the Tweed Coast.

“Our team spirit through ‘Pride, Mateship and Passion’ is addictive and starting to make a difference.

“The competition is sure to get off to a great start when 400m Olympic finalist Napoleon goes head to head with Kiwi Olympian Steve Kent.

“I guess to me this tour is the start of a renewed conquest for us to regain our world champion title.”

TWO POOLS FOR ONE CHAMPIONSHIP: This first year of the BeNe Cup (Belgium / The Netherlands) organisers will have one competition in two pools, in two towns and in two countries. The Belgian and Dutch Lifesaving Federations will work together to make it an unforgettable weekend. In both pools they will use electronic timing equipment and process results with the programme ‘Splash’.

BeNe Cup - Netherlands/Belgium – Antwerp/Eindhoven - 16^th & 17^th November 2013

Germany Cup – Warendorf – 21st – 24th November 2013.

Australian Lifesaving Team, European Tour, 2013:

MEN:
Andrew Bowden (Bronte SLSC/ Hills Lifesaving Club)
Sam Bell (Maroochydore SLSC/ Port Hacking Lifeguard Club)
Tim Schofield (Terrigal SLSC/ Hills Lifesaving Club)
Matt Davis (Moore Park SLSC)
Ryan Napoleon (Northcliffe SLSC)

WOMEN:
Rachelle King (Terrigal SLSC/ Hills Lifesaving Club)
Christina Ruiz (Northcliffe SLSC)
Pam Hendry (Maroochydore SLSC/ Port Hacking Lifeguard Club)
Mariah Jones (Tweed Heads Coolangatta)
Head Coach: Danny Short (Maroochydore)
Asst Coach / Team Manager: Wade Sinclair (Picnic Bay)
Physiotherapist: Nick Marshall (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Prepared and Issued On behalf of the Australian Life Saving Teamby:

Ian Hanson
Hanson Media Group

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