F-Teamers Heading North

Whether it’s the climate, the beaches, the fresh mangos or the growing pool of world-class athletes, coaches and training facilities, there is something good in the Queensland water that is luring Australia’s best swimmers to pack extra sunscreen and their tropical Funky Trunks and head north (east for some of those out west). Here’s a few Funky Trunkers who are now calling Queensland home as they get primed for 2022 and beyond.

Olympic bronze medalist Brendon Smith spearheads those who have relocated. The move was sparked by his former coach Wayne Lawes’ decision to retire after the Tokyo Olympics, and with the next Olympic cycle in full swing, the medley champ is dreaming big yet again. The weather and training environment have made the transition easier at his new club of Griffith University; spearheaded by coach Michael Bohl, but the move was bittersweet. “The move has been a big change for me as I have swum at Nunawading since learn-to-swim and it had become a second family to me.” A huge bonus for Brendon is to have sister and Funkita F-Team athlete, Mikayla Smith, also make the move with him to the sunny state.

Ashton Brinkworth (USC Spartans) and Nathan Foote (St. Andrews) have relocated from UWA West Coast and Northcote, to both follow their coaches. Ashton has followed Michael Palfrey, and Nathan similar with Ashley Delaney, who have each recently accepted new positions at their respective Queensland clubs.

Aside from Mikayla, more of our Funkita athletes have made the journey to base themselves in Queensland. Ash Weill (St. Andrews) and Layla Day (Bond) have relocated from Victoria, and Jemima Horwood (USC Spartans) from Western Australia. Ash and Jemima have also followed their coaches and new training environments have sweetened the deal. Layla made the bold move from Bendigo East Swim Club, where she has been for 10 years and during her time there was awarded the Funky Trunks & Funkita Victorian Country Swimming Scholarship. The transition from a country club to a metro club may seem somewhat daunting, however Layla like the other F-Teamers is keen to make her mark in the new environment.

With the World Champs and Commonwealth Games being the pick for Australian Team selection in 2022, here’s hoping the sacrifices pay dividends for our F-Teamers.