mmg.com.au

Shepparton swimmers will chase Victorian state and country championships qualifying times when they compete in the Shepparton-Mighty Murray long-course meet on Sunday.

The meet was supposed to be held at Shepparton’s Aquamoves base, but council officers were unable to guarantee access to the outdoor long-course pool in time for this weekend’s competition.

Shepparton Swimming Club officials had little choice but to transfer the meet to Echuca several weeks ago.

Club coach Willy O’Callaghan said yesterday the outdoor pool would be open to the public on November 17.

‘‘The kids are coming off short-course season and they’re trying their best, but really will have more improvement when they’re in the long-course pool,’’ O’Callaghan said.

‘‘There have been a couple of other long-course meets, but next month we’re already looking at states and we’ll have only three weeks to get used to it.

‘‘Then next thing it’s January and there is (Victorian Long Course Country Championships in Sale) and it’s all over.

‘‘If you get to countrys and haven’t made the times then there is only school swimming left.’’

Swimmers have to record their Victorian Long Course Country Championships qualifying times before Christmas.

‘‘The times in the senior boys are particularly difficult. We have quite a lot with one or two swims, but very few with three, four or five,’’ O’Callaghan said.

‘‘There are lots of kids who are very close to countrys and states. Quite a lot of them are knocking on the door, only one or two seconds off.

‘‘It is definitely still possible for them once we get in this outdoor pool and do some serious work without their heart-rate going sky-high (indoors).’’

Thirty-two Shepparton swimmers will be in action on Sunday against rivals from Benalla, Bendigo Hawks Aquatic, Deniliquin, Echuca, Essendon, Geelong, Gippsland Thunder, Kyabram, Leeton, Melton, Mooroopna, Nyah Two Bays-Swan Hill, Rochester and Tongala.

Racing starts at 10am on Sunday.