The 2025 SA Country Swimming Championships came to a close on January 7, wrapping up four days of exciting racing at the Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre in Mount Gambier. Swimmers from across regional South Australia and interstate took part, making it a fantastic celebration of country swimming and community spirit.
Onkaparinga Swimming Club topped the team rankings with 1,207 points, cementing their position as one of the strongest clubs in the state. Barossa Swimming Club came second with 1,091 points, and Silver City rounded out the top three with 839 points. Mount Gambier Swimming Club, as the host, put in a solid effort, finishing fifth overall. Their swimmers achieved some fantastic results, and the club played a crucial role in ensuring the event ran smoothly from start to finish.
There were some outstanding individual efforts throughout the meet:
- Veniece Coorey (Silver City) was the top scorer in the Women’s competition, earning 144 points with strong performances in multiple events.
- Haydn Lowe (Mount Gambier) topped the Men’s rankings with 131 points, giving the home crowd plenty to cheer about.
- Other notable scorers included Scarlett Molloy (Silver City) with 114 points and Harri Ware (West Coast) with 115 points, both of whom were key contributors for their clubs
The relay events added an extra buzz to the Championships. Onkaparinga’s relay teams were particularly strong, helping to secure their overall win with medals in events like the 4x50 Freestyle Relay. Barossa and Silver City also performed well in the relays, with tight finishes making for thrilling races.
Multi-Class events were a highlight of the meet, showing the inclusiveness of swimming in regional areas. Emily Willett and Charlie Wilkins from Onkaparinga stood out with impressive swims. The Mixed 50m Freestyle Multi-Class event was especially exciting, with close races showcasing the incredible skill of these swimmers
South Australia's younger swimmers stepped up in a big way:
- Ebony Wright (West Coast) led the Girls’ 11-Year-Old category with 91 points
- Hamilton Anflous (Silver City) was the standout in the Boys’ 11-Year-Old division, scoring 98 points for his club
These young swimmers proved they are ones to watch in the coming years.
The Mount Gambier Swimming Club, together with the team at the Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre, played a huge role in making the Championships such a success. From welcoming swimmers and supporters to ensuring everything ran smoothly, the local community effort was invaluable. Wulanda provided an excellent venue for the event, with fantastic facilities that were well used by competitors and spectators alike.
With this year’s event wrapped up, the focus now shifts to Port Pirie, which will host the Championships in 2026 in partnership with the Port Pirie Regional Council.
Thank you to the swimmers, clubs, officials, volunteers, and supporters who made the 2025 South Australian Country Championships all possible.
