AusLeisure

Sutherland Shire Council has announced an athlete and coach from its Sutherland Leisure Centre have been selected for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Local swimmer Mitch Kilduff has been selected to compete in the 200 metres freestyle swim, in the ‘Elite Athlete with Disability S14’ category, while Head Swim Coach at Sutherland, Gavin Stewart, has been appointed as an Australian Team Coach.

Kilduff has trained at Sutherland Leisure Centre since 2010, making his first Australian Team in 2011 at the age of 15, before going on to represent Australia at a number of levels, achieving some outstanding results.

Kilduff explained “I’m relieved that I have made the team.

“It would be great to get a good result at the games.

“I’m also so pleased that I’m training with Gav because I know I’m in good hands and I feel happy and safe.”

Kilduff has been supported and coached by Stewart, who commenced coaching at Sutherland in 1995, progressing to Head Coach in 2009.

The star coach has a long list of awards and extensive Sutherland Leisure Centres high performance athlete achievements (see below), and is signed on to continue training Kilduff through the 2018 Commonwealth Games tournament.

Stewart commented “Mitch has come a long way from where we started back in 2009. He has matured greatly and is ready to take the next step in his swimming career.

“Mitch has prepared really well for these Commonwealth Games, much better than previous preparations. I see no reason why he won’t perform well, which would be an amazing result for himself, and his supportive family.”

“Personally, being part of the team is one of the greatest achievements in my professional career, and I am thankful for the opportunity.”

Sutherland Shire Mayor, Carmelo Pesce congratulated the two and says the squad programs run through the Sutherland Shire’s leisure centres, particularly Sutherland, are second to none.

“Sutherland Leisure Centre runs a multi-level squad program that has been developed over many years to provide people of all abilities the opportunity to enjoy the sport of swimming," he said.

“These programs provide a pathway for athletes and more serious swimmers who want to compete at national and international levels while also providing the best coaching in the country.

“I’m extremely proud of both Mitch and Gavin and wish them all the best on the Gold Coast in April.”

2011 - Made first Australian Team for Arafura Games
2011 -Won five gold medals, two silver and a bronze at the Global Games in Italy, where he was one of the star performers.
2012 - Selected on the Australian Team for the London Paralympic Games, finishing fifth in the 200m freestyle. 
2014 - Qualified for the Australian Commonwealth Games Team.
2017 - Competed in the Swimming Australia Para Grand Prix, which was the last chance to qualify for the 2018 Australian Commonwealth Games for Para Sport athletes, winning both trials, placing in the top three swimmers in the world for the 200m freestyle for his classification.
 
Gavin Stewart’s coaching achievements to-date:
Awards received:
2008 - 1st Gold Medal at National Championships - ASCTA NSW
2011 - Outstanding Coaching Achievement - ASCTA Australia
2011 - Elite Athlete with a Disability Coach of the Year - ASCTA NSW
2011 - National Multi Class Coach of the Year - ASCTA NSW
2012 - NSW State Multi Class Coach of the Year - ASCTA NSW
2012 - Placing a Swimmer onto an Australian Team - Mitch Kilduff and Reagan Wickens - 2012 Paralympic Games - ASCTA NSW
2014 - Placing a Swimmer onto an Australian Team - Reagan Wickens - 2014 Para Pan
 
National Teams Stewart was selected on as a coach:
2011 - Arafura Games Team - Darwin - Australian Team Coach
2011 - Global Games Team - Genoa, Italy - Australian Team Men's Coach
2012 - ICST to London Paralympic Games - Great Britain - Australian Paralympic Team
2013 - FINA World Championships - Barcelona, Spain - Czech Republic Team Coach
2013 - INAS World Championships - Noumea, New Caledonia - Australian Head Coach
2014 - FINA World Masters Championships - Montreal, Canada - Krnov, Czech Republic Head Coach
2015 - World University Games - Gwangju, South Korea - Australian Team Coach
2018 - Commonwealth Games - Gold Coast - Australian Team Coach
 
Athletes trained and associated accomplishments:

• Mitch Kilduff - Para Athlete - S14:
2018 - Commonwealth Games 
2012 - London Paralympic Games
2011 - Global Games
2011 - Arafura Games

• Jordan White
2015 - FINA World Cup - Doha and Dubai
2015 - World University Games
2008 - Trans Tasman Series

• Aldrich McKirdy - Philippines Athlete:
2015 - South East Asian Games

• Amy Cook - Para Athlete - S14:
2015 - Global Games
2013 - INAS World Championships

• Jade Lucy - Para Athlete - S14:
2017 - INAS World Championships
2015 - Global Games

• Libor Smolka - Czech Republic Athlete:
2013 - FINA World Championships
2013 - FINA Grand Prix Capri, Italy
2013 - FINA Grand Prix Ohrid, Macedonia
2013 - FINA Grand Prix Cancun, Mexico
2013 - FINA Grand Prix Santa Fe, Argentina
2012 - European Championships
2012 - FINA Grand Prix Lac St Jean
2012 - FINA Grand Prix Capri, Italy
2012 - FINA Grand Prix Santa Fe, Argentina
2012 - FINA 10km Cancun, Mexico
2011 - FINA World Championships
2010 - FINA World Championships
2010 - European Championships
2010 - FINA Grand Prix Santa Fe, Argentina
2010 - FINA 10km Viedma, Argentina,
2009 - FINA World Championships

• Reagan Wickens - Para Athlete - S6:
2015 - IPC World Championships
2015 - IDM Berlin
2014 - Para Pan Pacific Championships
2013 - IDM Berlin
2012 - London Paralympic Games
2011 - Para Pan Pacific Championships
2011 - Arafura Games

• Jaimie Stack
2008 - Trans Tasman Series 

Image: Gavin Stewart and Mitch Kilduff at the Sutherland Leisure Centre. 

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