Swim club pair to don green and gold

BENDIGO East Swimming Club is revelling in the achievements of two of its members, who will represent Australia at the upcoming World Junior Swimming Championships in Romania.

Selected earlier in the year in the Australian Junior Dolphins team to compete at the August 19 to 24 championships, backstroker Henry Allan will be joined in Otopeni by his coach John Jordan.

Allan is one of only three swimmers from Victoria, and the only athlete from regional Victoria, to be named in the Australian team.

His selection is a remarkable achievement, reflecting years of dedication, training, and commitment to excellence.

It is not only a personal triumph for Allan, but a moment of pride for the Bendigo and wider regional Victorian swimming community.

The Junior Dolphins squad comprises 30 swimmers aged 15 to 18, with selection based on results at this year’s Australian Age and Open Championships, held in Brisbane in April.

Allan turned heads by breaking into the all-time Australian 100-metre backstroke top ten with a record-breaking 53.73 swim.

It was the third time in five months Allan had lowered his own 16-years national backstroke record.

His time would have earned Allan a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics semi-finals.

Jordan – head coach of the Bendigo East club – joins the Australian team as one of just five coaches nationwide chosen by Swim Australia to guide and support the Junior Dolphins squad.

His selection recognises his exceptional coaching expertise, his commitment to developing swimmers to the highest standard, and his long-standing contribution to the sport.

The Bendigo East pair departed last week for Romania, where they will compete and contribute on the world stage against the best junior swimmers from around the globe. The Bendigo East Swimming Club has extended its warmest congratulations to both and wishes them every success as they represent Australia and the local community with pride.

Meanwhile, 35 of the club’s swimmers competed at the 2025 Victorian Short Course Country Championships, held in Bendigo last weekend.The championships marked a historic moment for Bendigo, as it was the first time the city had hosted such a major swimming event.

The competition showcased most of the best country swimmers from across Victoria.