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Canadian swimmers choose Gold Coast schools for GC2018 training

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Two Gold Coast schools have been chosen as a training base for the Swimming Canada team ahead of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).

Minister for Education and the Commonwealth Games Kate Jones was today joined by Swimming Canada High Performance Director John Atkinson to announce Somerset College at Mudgeeraba and All Saints Anglican School in Merrimac would welcome Canadian swimmers to their facilities early next year.

“Swimming Canada are the first team to confirm their plans to complete pre-Games training on the Gold Coast and I’m delighted they’ll be training at two local schools,” Minister Jones said.

“The team’s decision to be based here is testament to the world-class venues we have on the Gold Coast, and a huge vote of confidence in our schools and their outstanding facilities.

“The additional economic and tourism benefits associated with pre-Games training camps are also a prime example of the legacy which the Games are creating.”

Minister Jones said Swimming Canada would be based at Royal Pines Resort in Benowa for the duration of the training camp.

“The very best and most beautiful aspects of the Gold Coast will be enjoyed by our athletes, officials and spectators before, during and after our Games,” she said.

“The Games present us with an incredible opportunity to showcase our wonderful city to the world and will undoubtedly help cement the Gold Coast’s position as a premier tourism destination.”

Canada is scheduled to arrive in Australia on March 22, 2018, with the Gold Coast staging camp continuing through March 31 before the team officially moves into the Commonwealth Games Village.

“The Commonwealth Games is a unique event on the sporting calendar as it integrates Olympic and Paralympic events. We’ll be bringing both our swimming programs together and looking to maximize performance,” said Swimming Canada High Performance Director John Atkinson. “The Gold Coast will be a great environment for our team to host its final preparation into the Commonwealth Games. We’re delighted to work with Somerset College and All Saints Anglican School. The support of their staff has been tremendous and we know we’ll have a home away from home when we come in 2018.”

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will run from 4 – 15 April 2018. For more information on the Games visit www.gc2018.com.

“A critical component of Swimming Canada’s preparation for competing at the 2018 Commonwealth Games is the training camp leading into the Games,” added Swimming Canada President Cheryl Gibson, a six-time Commonwealth Games medallist. “We have been most fortunate to have been able to secure the facilities of two schools on the Gold Coast where our swimmers can acclimate to the environment and carry out their final preparations for competition. We look forward to our time in Benowa and to the world-renowned Australian hospitality.

Swimming Canada has also established a partnership with the Prefecture of Wakayama in Japan for its staging camps in preparation for the 2018 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, the 2020 Olympic Games, and the 2020 Paralympic Games, all of which take place in Tokyo.