Athletes from Sydney North, Sydney West, Central Coast, North Coast and Hunter travelled to Armidale on Sunday to compete in the local Special Olympics’ programs first swim meet. 

Sports coordinator for the region Kirsty Brunsdon said it was a successful event with some athletes competing in the Special Olympics for the first time. 

"It is fairly small but being our first one in quite some years, probably about 15 years, it was good to start off small and then hope to build on from there,” she said. 

"The swimmers all swam really well. It was great to see some new athletes coming on board as well.” 

Plenty of local swimmers featured in the medals after spending six weeks in the lead up readying themselves for the competition. 

"Lots of medals and all of the athletes competed to their best and had a go, which is all we are really looking for at this time in the season,” Brunsdon said. 

"It was great to see them get in and have a swim because we don't swim during winter.” 

"They had a lovely time and it was really nice to hear really positive results from the visiting athletes as well saying what great facilities that they were competing in, so thank you to The Armidale School for the use of their pool.” 

Non-swimming athletes in the program helped out on the day as well as children from TAS. The Country Women’s Association assisted the club with a $1000 donation to go toward developing athletes. 

"Two of our athletes went and spoke to them recently and they came and presented the cheque at the end of the swimming carnival which is just wonderful to have that kind of money given to us. It is just amazing,” Brunsdon said.