6 April 2026
Portland Coaches Kristy and Matilda Andrews were announced as award finalists at the South West Sport Community Sports Awards earlier this month.
Kristy Andrews who was nominated to the Women’s Leader in Sport has been recognised for more than a decade of commitment, stepping into her first paid position with the club after years of tireless volunteer service. Under Kristys leadership, the Portland Swimming Club has seen many advancements and initiatives.
Kristy's journey with the Portland Swimming Club began over ten years ago as a parent helper before progressing to a committee role. In recent years, she has become a key figure as President of the Portland Swimming Club and also on pool deck as a coach, contributing significantly to the development of young swimmers and the broader success of the club.
While the move into a paid role marks an important milestone, the achievement represents far more than professional recognition. Central to her journey has been the opportunity to share the experience alongside her daughter Matilda, with both progressing through the sport together. Watching Matilda develop a strong passion for mentoring and motivating younger swimmers has been a source of immense pride and inspiration, further strengthening her own commitment to growing the sport.
Club representatives say Kristy's progression reflects a strong investment in coaching excellence and long-term development, benefiting not only current athletes but also the future of swimming within the local community.
Looking ahead, Kristy is eager to continue building on this momentum. She will work alongside fellow coaches while mentoring emerging junior coaches and supporting swimmers at all levels of development. She also plans to play an active role in delivering Swimming Victoria’s Fun Swim Program, helping to build foundational skills and inspire the next generation of athletes.
Widely respected within the club, Kristy is known for her humility and strong drive to create positive change. Her ability to turn ideas into action has made a lasting impact and continues to shape the club’s direction.
The club has expressed pride in her recognition as an award finalist, describing it as a well-deserved acknowledgement of her dedication, influence, and ongoing contribution to the sport.
Matilda Andrews, 17 years of age, nominated for an award in the Emerging Leader in Sport category, was elated and grateful for the opportunity to be shortlisted as an award finalist.
Matildas dedication to the sport of swimming began at the age of seven, and by the age of ten she had already set her sights on becoming a coach. Inspired by her own swim coach, who also began as a young swimmer at the same club before progressing into a successful teaching career, Matilda developed a clear vision of how she could give back to the sport and her community.
Having competed in Melbourne at the State Sports Centre, Matilda brings both experience and technical expertise to her coaching. More importantly, she generously shares her knowledge with younger swimmers, always offering guidance, encouragement, and support. She leads by example in the pool, demonstrating discipline, sportsmanship, and commitment at every session.
Beyond Matildas impressive achievements, she radiates genuine joy and positivity in every environment she is part of. Her presence lifts those around her, creating an atmosphere of enthusiasm, confidence, and belonging within the club. Younger swimmers are naturally drawn to her energy, and she inspires not only through instruction, but through the warmth and encouragement she consistently provides.
Despite achieving at a high level, Matilda remains humble and grounded. She is a quiet achiever whose actions speak louder than words. Her leadership is evident not through loud recognition, but through the respect she earns, the confidence she builds in others, and the positive culture she helps foster within the club.
Matilda is a wonderful mentor, a role model to aspiring swimmers, and a shining example of what an emerging community sports leader is. Her dedication, humility, and commitment to developing others make her truly deserving of this recognition.
Earlier this year, both coaches successfully earned a Swimming Australia coaching licence after months of intense training and years of learning and development; along with fellow coach Claire Ward and previous club coach Michelle Beddows, strengthening the club’s commitment to high quality athlete development.
Portland Swimming Club athletes proudly represented at the recent 2026 Victorian Country All Junior Championships Competition on the weekend held at the State Sports Centre, Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre (MSAC).
With the combination of a disciplined training regime and specific coaching focus on fine tuning strokes, swimming at MSAC boosts athletes confidence, dishing out fast times to our club swimmers over the weekend, and it is no wonder that Portland swimmers were very pleased with their results.
Coach Claire Ward shared her excitement on the swimmers results "Just getting to MSAC to represent at this level is a massive achievement and for our swimmers from our small country town, it is a great deal for them to swim in the State Sport Centre, boosting swimmers confidence to continue in the sport."
At just 10 years old, Emily competed in two events and secured a PB in her 50m Backstroke in a time of 57.60 dropping 4.38 seconds from her entry time placing her 44th overall. Emily's 50m Freestyle time was 54.59 which also saw an improvement of 0.67 seconds from her entry time placing her 46th in overall. Well done to Emily on her achievements and for swimming at MSAC for the first time since commencing competitive swimming.
Rebecca, aged 11, competed in four events, and secured time improvements in three of her four strokes including a 0.81 second improvement in Butterfly and placing 23rd, 0.67 second improvement in Backstroke and placing 22nd, and a 1.06 second improvement in Freestyle. Her Freestyle time gave her 16th placing overall in a time of 35.47. Fantastic Swimming by Rebecca and we can't wait to see her future swimming continue to excel.
12 year old Riley competed in three events with strong finishes in all three and obtaining time improvements also. A time improvement of 4.74 seconds was achieved in 50 Butterfly placing him 35th overall. 50m Backstroke ensured a time improvement of 4.82 seconds placing 35th, and in Riley's pet stroke 50m Breaststroke, he achieved a time improvement of 1.71 seconds placing him 34th overall.
Vossie, also aged 12 competed in two events smashing his 50m Backstroke entry time by 5.17 seconds in a time of 43.86 securing 32nd overall. He also competed in 50 Freestyle placing 24th in a time of 33.84.
Gwyneth, 15 years old, competed in two events also improving her time in 50m Butterfly by 0.37 seconds in a time of 37.88 placing her 26th overall. Gwyneth's pet stroke 50m Freestyle placed her 21st overall in a time of 32.66.
Fantastic achievements by all competitors from Portland at the weekend. As we wind down now from the long course season, the competitions take a break for a while during the month of April, then are expecting to ramp back up in May for the commencement of the short course (25m pools) season.
16 February 2026
By Claire Ward
Congratulations to all our club members who competed in Casterton this month! With warm weather and a refreshing pool, it was a fantastic day of racing and team spirit.
A special welcome and congratulations to our newest members. You’ve officially begun your swimming journey and started recording times to beat.
There was so much to be proud of across the team. Whether you achieved a personal best, stepped up for a relay, or took on a 100m event for the very first time, every effort matters. Success looks different for everyone, keep striving and having fun.
Sorry I missed a couple of swimmers in the photo!
16 February 2026
Portland Swimmers headed to Geelong on 7th and 8th of February for the Barwon South West Swimming Association (BSWSA) Championships. The two day event also incorporated district trials where swimmers were selected to represent the district at the up coming Victorian Country All Junior Competition to be held on 21 March 2026 for swimmers up to the age of 16 years old.
A support team of families attended with each of the swimmers including Junior Coach Gwyneth Homer who also swam over the weekend. It was a great weekend of swimming with many personal bests achieved whilst also having fun.
Emily, Leo, Rebecca, Riley, Vossie, Gwyneth and Oliver gave their absolute best representing their club over the weekend.
Emily, one of our newest members has really surprised us all coming out of her shell and entering this meet as her first ever competition at the young age of 10. Emily had the privilege of swimming alongside her cousin from the Geelong Sharks club in her heats on Sunday. Emily has set herself two bench marks and as a result has qualified to compete in Melbourne in the 50m backstroke at All Junior.
Leo, also 10 years of age is the quiet achiever, takes it all in his stride. Although his times did not reflect his effort, it was pleasing to see he still jumped in to have a go and put his hand up for a relay when the opportunity was presented. Leo qualified to compete at All Junior in 50m Butterfly, 50m Breaststroke, 50m Backstroke, and 50m Freestyle.
Rebecca swam in five individual events plus a relay over the weekend achieving PBs in two events. Rebecca has qualified to compete at All Junior with the 11 year olds in 50m Butterfly, 50m Backstroke, and 50m Breaststroke.
Riley, 12 years of age swam in six individual events plus a relay achieving PBs in four of his personal events including a 3.83 second improvement on his 100m freestyle. Riley has qualified to compete at All Junior in 50m Butterfly and 50m Breaststroke.
Vossie had a sensational weekend in the pool also swimming in six individual events achieving five PBs including an amazing 20.13 second improvement on his 100m freestyle! Vossie has qualified to compete at All Junior as a 12 year old in 50m Backstroke and 50m Freestyle.
Gwyneth, 15 years of age, also a quiet achiever and one of the clubs Junior Coaches swam in five personal events over the weekend plus a relay achieving three PBs including a 2.22 Second improvement on her 50m Butterfly. Gwyneth will be off to All Junior also for 50m Butterfly and 50m Freestyle.
Oliver, 17 years of age competed in five individual events and a relay, achieving 3 PBs including a whopping 19.24 seconds knocked off his 400m Freestyle.
This was a fantastic result and the club looks forward to cheering the qualifying swimmers at the Victorian Country All Junior Semi Finals Competition at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre on 21 March 2026.
All Junior Semi Final Qualifiers
- Emily Kato - backstroke, freestyle
- Leo Healy - butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle
- Rebecca Deocampo - butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle
- Riley Healy - butterfly, breaststroke
- Laurens Vosloo (Vossie) - backstroke, freestyle
- Gwyneth Home - butterfly, freestyle
13 February 2026
Coaches Kristy Andrews, Claire Ward and Matilda Andrews at the Portland Swimming Club have successfully completed an intensive training and development program, earning a Swimming Australia coaching licence that strengthens the club’s commitment to high quality athlete development.
Kristy said she felt challenged by the course but rewarded for all the hard effort. “Through the process, the connections that we have been able to create with other coaches and clubs within our region, the support from Swimming Victoria and in particular Jess O'Brien has been amazing. We all want the best for swimming in Australia and want to provide opportunities for kids to swim, compete, socialise and achieve their personal goals.”
The accreditation process involved rigorous coursework, practical assessments, and ongoing professional development, ensuring coaches meet national standards in child safety, duty of care, supporting athlete wellbeing, stroke techniques, progression of skills and coaching practice, performance planning, and inclusive coaching practices. The newly accredited coaches are fully equipped to support swimmers at all levels, from grassroots participation to competitive pathways.
This will be Kristy’s first paid role with the club after volunteering her time for more than ten years as a parent helper, then committee member and in more recent years a coach. Her personal journey with this achievement has been much more than the certificate and any paid position. “The most rewarding part for me, and the thing that I am most grateful for through the whole process, is being able to complete the journey with my daughter Matilda. Standing alongside her and being part of her journey as well as my own and seeing her drive and passion to mentor and motivate the next group of up and coming swimmers within our club from such a young age, has been something I am so, so proud of, and motivates me to give everything I can to get the sport of swimming out there.”
Club representatives say the achievement reflects a strong investment in coaching excellence and long-term growth for the club, its swimmers and swimming as a sport in the local community.
“I’m looking forward to this year. It’s going to be great coaching alongside Claire, Matilda and Gwyneth, mentoring new and upcoming junior coaches, and continuing to develop with our swimmers. I’m also excited to take on the opportunity to develop the skills of the new generation through Swimming Victoria’s Fun Swim Program.” said Kristy.
Claire expressed her excitement for future swimmers who are curious about trying squad swimming in a club environment. “I’m very proud that the Portland Swimming Club's coaching team are now fully accredited with their Australian Swim Coach licences. This achievement means a lot to us, especially with the challenges of juggling time commitments and travelling from rural areas.” added Claire. “We’re excited to bring these skills back to our community and continue supporting the young swimmers of our region as they grow, learn, and chase their potential.”
Matilda who is now 17, looked back on herself as a new starter all those years ago when those who were coaching her back then gave her the inspiration to now want to coach others. “For me, getting the qualification makes me feel very proud of myself because since I was 10 all I really wanted to do was be a coach. Now being qualified is so exciting and I get to share my knowledge with people that are as passionate about swimming as I am and for that I am very grateful.” said Matilda
The three coaches expressed gratitude for this opportunity. “A heartfelt thank‑you to Swimming Victoria and the Portland Swim Club Committee for their ongoing support. Their guidance and encouragement played a major role in helping us reach this goal. Their support helped overcome some of the barriers commonly faced by rural swim club coaches.” said Claire.
The club plans to continue supporting ongoing education and development, reinforcing its role as a leader in swimmer development within the community and supports sustained growth and quality coaching across the sport.