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New Zealand swimmers put their toe back into the competitive waters when the Oceania Championships begin in Cairns tomorrow.

Thirty-six swimmers, including five members of the successful Commonwealth Games team, will compete in the six-day meet led by medalists Dean Kent (pictured) and Lauren Boyle.

The team also comprises the burgeoning group of Kiwi swimmers who will use the meet to advance their claims to break in to the top echelon of international competition.

The Commonwealth Games group includes Kent, Boyle and the North Shore trio of Corney Swanepoel, Liz Coster and Glenn Snyders who will have a duel role to play at the meet.

“They will use the meet to kick-start their campaigns with their goals including the Pan Pacific Championships later this year but more importantly the World Championships in Melbourne next March,” Swimming New Zealand CEO Paul Veric said.

“We are sending one of our biggest ever squads to these championships which in itself is testament to the improving depth of our sport. Our elite Games swimmers will also provide a really important mentoring role at this event.

“And this is a big first step for the newcomers on to the international scene. The Oceania Championships give them the opportunity to press their claims as they eye the Melbourne World Championships and then on to Beijing and beyond.”

Three Commonwealth Games swimmers. Andrew McMillan, Zoe Baker and Annabelle Carey have withdrawn as they recover from injuries as is Verity Hicks and Emily Thomas while Helen Norfolk also withdrew as she is currently training in England.

There are four days of pool competition starting tomorrow and Saturday, Monday and Tuesday with open water competition on Sunday and Wednesday.

The team is:

Ben Pickersgill-Brown, Megan Allen (Aquagym, Chch), Brett Newall, Shane Patience (Raumati), Brynn Murphy (Waves), Callum Joll (Napier Aquahawks), Daniel Ryan, Phillip Ryan (Waterhole Auckland), Corney Swanepoel, Dean Kent, Jessie Blundell Glenn Snyders, John Zulch, Robert Voss, William Benson, Elizabeth Coster, (North Shore), Dominic Toomey, Hamish Wilson (Jasi, Chch), Kane Radford (Russell Athletic, Rotorua), Karl Poole (Hamilton)

Kurt Bassett, Orinoco Faamausili-Banse, Kylie Salt (Mt Eden, Auckland), Lewis Williams (Roskill, Auckland), Mark Herring, Kelly Newcombe, Lauren Boyle, Sarah Vettoriti, Michael Jack (West Auckland Aquatics), Matt Thomas, Katie Bone (Primo Sundevils, Hawkes Bay), Isabella Franks, Kelly Bentley, Kirsten Cameron (Capital), Joyce Wiegersma (Spirit of Southland), Penelope Marshall (Greerton, Tauranga).

Head Coaches: Donna Bouzaid, Thomas Ansorg
Coaches:Glenn Hamblyn, John Pike, Andy Adair, Tom Fronek
Manager: Shona Hutt, Assistant Manager: Toni Bayliffe
Support Staff: Jordan Salesa (physio), Glenn Turner (massage), Jacqui Kerins (massage)
Technical: Brad Conza, Dan Feisst

For further information:

Ian Hepenstall, Sports Media NZ, Tel 0275 613181, E: ianhep@xtra.co.nz