Lachlan Mackay, 14, looks forward to International Children's Games in Lithuania

But he admits he also has a bit of work to do out of the pool, learning about the host country.

“I’ll do a bit of research and find out what’s out there,” Mackay said.

He can also look forward to some informative orientation sessions with Lake Macquarie City Council in the coming weeks

Mackay, 14, of Toronto, is one of six boys and five girls selected to represent Lake Macquarie at the games in Kaunas, Lithuania, from July 4 to 9.

Mackay is part of the Macqurie Shores Swim Club coached by Ben Jenkinson at the Toronto Swim Centre.

“I’m hoping to swim in the backstroke, butterfly, 200-metre individual medley and freestyle,” Mackay said.

The games are coming at just the right time for the promising teenager.

He won the 800 metres freestyle at the State Age Swimming Championships, at Sydney Olympic Park, in December.

He also claimed silver medals in the 400-metre individual medley, and 200-metre backstroke.

And he’s looking forward to competing at the Australian Age Swimming Championships, in Brisbane, after Easter.

The schedule means he’ll follow up his first interstate swim with his first international swim.

“The Children’s Games will be the first time I’ve been overseas. And I haven’t swum in another state, either,” Mackay said.

“The furthest I’ve been for swimming, so far, is  Sydney.”

Lake Macquarie has been a regular participant in the International Children’s Games since 2008 and became the first Australian city to host the event in 2014.

A number of Lake Macquarie competitors from past games have used the experience as a springboard into higher levels of competition.

They include golfer Jake Higginbottom, now a professional tour player, sprinter Dakota Thomas, a national junior athletics title-holder and Australian netball player, and sailor Harry Morton who won a world 29er title and hopes to sail at the Tokyo Olympics in the 49ers.