Charlie Collins, Harmoni Coggan, Jaxon Ballard and Halle Coggan.
Yass Swim Club has capped off a remarkable summer season, celebrating its most successful year to date both in and out of the pool.
The club’s achievements were acknowledged at the Yass Valley Council Australia Day Awards in January, where Yass Swim Club received the Community Group of the Year honour. The award reflects the work behind the scenes, from running programs and supporting young swimmers to applying for grants that help improve facilities and equipment for the wider Yass Valley community.
At district level, Yass dominated the South West Zone competition. At the season’s final carnival in Temora, the club’s swimmers marched and cheered their way to the March Past Shield, the first time Yass has claimed the honour since 2014.
Across the five carnival season, the club was crowned Overall Championship Pointscore winner for the first time in its history. Yass also retained the Batlow Apples Shield for highest non-championship pointscore and the Gregson Cup for relay points, both for the second consecutive year.
The club fielded swimmers in all 12 relays across the five South West Zone carnivals and placed in the top three in every one: three wins, seven second places and two thirds.
Six Yass swimmers qualified for the NSW Country Swimming Championships at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. Emlyn Hudson collected three medals across the three-day meet: silver in the 200m Individual Medley and bronze in both the 100m Backstroke and 200m Freestyle.
Macie Wilson recorded personal best times in every event she contested, highlighted by a 15.75 second improvement in the 100m Freestyle.
While our youngest, Harriet Wragge swam her heart out for a personal best in the 50m Freestyle to place ninth. A huge achievement for her first major competition.
The 12 and Under Girls Relay teams of Abbey Lawton, Claire Puckett, Arielle Wilson and Harriet Wragge also represented Yass at state level, dropping over two seconds in the Medley Relay and posting another team personal best in the Freestyle Relay.
Six Yass swimmers represented the South West region at the Speedo Sprint Finals at SOPAC: Cruz Dunley, Emlyn Hudson, Abbey Lawton, Harriet Wragge, Charlie Collins and Jack Butt, with all recording personal bests and great swims.
Looking ahead to next weekend, Yass Swim Club has two swimmers who have qualified for the Youth NSW State competition. Emlyn Hudson and Harriet Wragge. This is the highest level of competition available for junior swimmers and a tremendous achievement. The club will also have two girls relay teams competing at this level, in the 9/10 and 11/12 age groups; something Yass has not had relay teams ready for in many years, and a milestone the club is very excited about.
Club President Hugh Rainger said the results reflected a genuine community effort.
“This has been an enormous year and one we’re incredibly proud of,” Hugh said. “Our swimmers showed real commitment and sportsmanship, our parents were there every step of the way, and our committee worked tirelessly behind the scenes.”
Rainger singled out senior coaches Donna Wullaert, Tenaya Hudson and Lisa Dunley for particular praise.
“Their dedication and belief in our kids is what makes achievements like this possible. They are the backbone of swimming in Yass.”
Beyond competition, the club has secured government grant funding for upgrades at the Yass Memorial Swimming Pool, including pool heating, new lane ropes, shade sails and solar infrastructure.
“These grants will deliver long-term benefits for our swimmers and the broader community,” Hugh said.
With state medals, four district trophies, community recognition and infrastructure improvements underway, the 2025/26 season stands as a defining chapter for Yass Swim Club.
Yass Swim Club has capped off a remarkable summer season, celebrating its most successful year to date both in and out of the pool.
The club’s achievements were acknowledged at the Yass Valley Council Australia Day Awards in January, where Yass Swim Club received the Community Group of the Year honour. The award reflects the work behind the scenes, from running programs and supporting young swimmers to applying for grants that help improve facilities and equipment for the wider Yass Valley community.
At district level, Yass dominated the South West Zone competition. At the season’s final carnival in Temora, the club’s swimmers marched and cheered their way to the March Past Shield, the first time Yass has claimed the honour since 2014.
Across the five carnival season, the club was crowned Overall Championship Pointscore winner for the first time in its history. Yass also retained the Batlow Apples Shield for highest non-championship pointscore and the Gregson Cup for relay points, both for the second consecutive year.
The club fielded swimmers in all 12 relays across the five South West Zone carnivals and placed in the top three in every one: three wins, seven second places and two thirds.
Six Yass swimmers qualified for the NSW Country Swimming Championships at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. Emlyn Hudson collected three medals across the three day meet: silver in the 200m Individual Medley and bronze in both the 100m Backstroke and 200m Freestyle.
Macie Wilson recorded personal best times in every event she contested, highlighted by a 15.75 second improvement in the 100m Freestyle.
While our youngest, Harriet Wragge swam her heart out for a personal best in the 50m Freestyle to place ninth. A huge achievement for her first major competition.
The 12 and Under Girls Relay teams of Abbey Lawton, Claire Puckett, Arielle Wilson and Harriet Wragge also represented Yass at state level, dropping over two seconds in the Medley Relay and posting another team personal best in the Freestyle Relay.
Six Yass swimmers represented the South West region at the Speedo Sprint Finals at SOPAC: Cruz Dunley, Emlyn Hudson, Abbey Lawton, Harriet Wragge, Charlie Collins and Jack Butt, with all recording personal bests and great swims.
Looking ahead to next weekend, Yass Swim Club has two swimmers who have qualified for the Youth NSW State competition. Emlyn Hudson and Harriet Wragge. This is the highest level of competition available for junior swimmers and a tremendous achievement. The club will also have two girls relay teams competing at this level, in the 9/10 and 11/12 age groups; something Yass has not had relay teams ready for in many years, and a milestone the club is very excited about.
Club President Hugh Rainger said the results reflected a genuine community effort.
“This has been an enormous year and one we’re incredibly proud of,” Hugh said. “Our swimmers showed real commitment and sportsmanship, our parents were there every step of the way, and our committee worked tirelessly behind the scenes.”
Rainger singled out senior coaches Donna Wullaert, Tenaya Hudson and Lisa Dunley for particular praise.
“Their dedication and belief in our kids is what makes achievements like this possible. They are the backbone of swimming in Yass.”
Beyond competition, the club has secured government grant funding for upgrades at the Yass Memorial Swimming Pool, including pool heating, new lane ropes, shade sails and solar infrastructure.
“These grants will deliver long-term benefits for our swimmers and the broader community,” Hugh said.
With state medals, four district trophies, community recognition and infrastructure improvements underway, the 2025/26 season stands as a defining chapter for Yass Swim Club.
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