Coach commends PNG swimmers at Arafura

NO one can accuse Australian Sydney 2000 Olympic Games 200m individual medley swimmer Rick van der Zant of not putting back into his sport.
For the past 22 years van der Zant has been the head coach of the Papua New Guinea swim team, dividing his time between his Brisbane home and PNG in his quest to develop the sport and increase that country’s participation at major meets.
In the past 12 months, he has travelled to PNG four times to get his young charges ready for last years’ Oceania Games, the Arafura Games and the Pacific Games in Samoa in July.
He has brought a contingent of 13 swimmers to Darwin — seven from Lae and six from Port Moresby — to form their national team.
But he says there remain plenty of challenges for those wanting to participate in swimming in PNG.
“The development of swimming is going well, but it’s tough because kids have to travel from long distances to get to the pool.
“They often don’t have the transport or facilities we take for granted here in Australia.
“(For instance) in Lae there is a strong community of swimmers, but they must swim in a very old 25 metre school pool which is very dilapidated, but the swimmers get by.
“Fortunately, in Port Moresby there is a brand-new pool that was built four years ago for the Pacific Games, which is state of the art and similar to Parap,” he said.
Van der Zant said there are some great coaches in PNG, nurturing young ones and encouraging them to stay in the sport.
“Once they stay, they realise the opportunities swimming presents and really enjoy what they’re doing.
“Kids don’t really get taught swimming at school, just the lucky ones. Some schools take kids, but it costs money,” he said.
Van der Zant said Arafura was a great experience for the PNG youngsters that made it to the Games, the youngest being 15.
“For four or five of the PNG team, this the first time they have ever travelled out of PNG.” The team won a total of 21 medals. – arafuragames.nt.gov.au