Aquatics: Swimming veterans make cut for Games

Two experienced campaigners and five relative newcomers have been picked for a 12-strong swimming and diving team for next month's Manchester Commonwealth Games.

The squad includes veterans Toni Jeffs and Jon Winter.

Jeffs, 33, of Wellington, will be appearing at her fourth Games, having made her debut at Auckland in 1990.

For Winter, 30, of Hastings, it will be his third Games and an inspirational return to international competition after retiring in 2000.

New Zealand's leading swimmer, Dean Kent, who recently finished fourth in the 400m individual medley at the world short-course championships in Moscow, easily achieved the qualifying standard in both the 200m and 400m individual medley for his first appearance at a Games.

New Zealand Olympic Committee secretary-general Barry Maister said the team was a great mix of youth and experience.

"I am sure that the younger members of the team will learn a great deal from the older hands," he said. "This should prove to be a magnificent benefit to the team and to team members finding their way on the international stage."

Two divers have been included in the aquatics contingent. The experienced Charlotte Glynan, 25, of Wellington, has competed at the top level since 1996.

Glynan holds the New Zealand record and is ranked No 1 in the open women's platform. She will compete in the 10m platform.

Anna Thomas, 18, from Dunedin will compete in the one-metre and three-metre springboard.

Thomas is ranked first in New Zealand in the three-metre event and second in the one-metre. She set a national record in the three-metre at this year's championships.

Swimming New Zealand executive director Catriona McBean said there was confidence the team would be competitive in Manchester.

The team:

Swimming: Moss Burmester (Tauranga) 200m butterfly, Cameron Gibson (Auckland) 200m backstroke, Melissa Ingram (Auckland) 200m backstroke, Toni Jeffs (Wellington) 50m freestyle, Dean Kent (Auckland) 200m and 400m individual medley, Hannah McLean (Auckland) 50m/100m/200m backstroke, Vivienne Rignall (Hamburg) 50m freestyle, Nick Sheeran (Auckland) 50m butterfly, Elizabeth van Welie (Dunedin) 200m butterfly, individual medley, 400m individual medley, Jon Winter (Hastings) 50m butterfly.

Diving: Charlotte Glynan (Wellington) 10m platform, Anna Thomas (Dunedin) 1m springboard and 3m springboard.

- NZPA