Prior in the swim for New Zealand

Rathkeale College student William Prior will be breaking new ground when he represents the New Zealand 16 years and under swim team against opposition from Australia, starting in Brisbane this week.
Prior, 15, is believed to be the first Wairarapa swimmer to be selected for this trans-Tasman contest which will see the Kiwis take on Australia Gold and Australia Green at three different venues over a period of eight days.
The New Zealand squad is very much part of a development programme which is aimed at giving swimmers who may have the potential to represent their country at the top levels the opportunity to advance those claims.
It also gives them experience in travelling to other countries and competing there and of training under coaches other than their own.
It will also provide evidence of their ability to swim well in back-to-back competitions.
Prior will contest the 1500m, 400m and 200m freestyle events during the series along with the 200m butterfly.
And he will also take part in those same races at the Australian age group championships as well as the100m freestyle, 200m butterfly and 400m individual medley.
Two other Rathkeale College students in Tim Smith,14, and James Pope,15, will be participating there too as part of a team being coached by former Wairarapa identity Donna Bouzaid.
Smith will contest he 100m and 200m backstroke and Pope the 100m and 200m breaststroke and the 200m individual medley.