Last year the Lake Macquarie squad attending the International Children’s Games (ICG) jetted off to Lithuania for the competition – this year, they’re bound for the Middle East.
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For many, it’s the second time around as they travel to Jerusalem to compete in the 52nd entry into the annuals of ICG history from July 29, and Toronto High’s Skye Southam revealed she couldn’t be more excited.
“Last year I got personal bests in all my races [in Lithuania] and this year I want to go one further and potentially come back with a medal,” Southam said.
“I can’t wait to get back overseas and do it all again, it was such a fun experience last time and I’ve improved my swimming. The team spirit last year was so awesome and it was amazing.
“Everyone was there for each other last year and I’m looking forward to that spirit again. Lake Macquarie has a lot of great and challenging athletes, it makes me want to improve even more and that is good.”
Morisset High’s Bryce Webber will also be attending the event again in 2018, competing in a number of running events in the Middle East, and wants to “come back with a medal”.
“I definitely feel like I’ll be competing at a high level, but I can’t promise anything,” Webber said.
“I’ve gone with a number of Lake Macquarie kids before [including Skye Southam] and we’re all very close. We swap pins from people in other countries and that’s such a cool thing to do. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone all over again.”
The team is managed by the Hunter Academy of Sport and will again be accompanied by Lake Macquarie’s mayor Kay Fraser as the council’s representative.
Cr Fraser attended the event in Kaunas in 2017, and said she was looking forward to “watching all these fantastic Lake Macquarie role models compete again”.
“It really is like the Olympics, it’s just as big,” Cr Fraser said of the swimming, track and field event. “To see all these young adults compete as well as make friends and experience other, overseas cultures is so special.”
Lake Macquarie has been a regular participant in the Games since 2008, and became the first Australian city to host the event in 2014.
Regular information on the results of the Lake Macquarie squad will be posted on Cr Frasers’ Facebook page, or can be found at icg-jerusalem2018.com.
Isaac McIntyre
Got a story or a tip that you want to send through? Contact me at isaac.mcintyre@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Got a story or a tip that you want to send through? Contact me at isaac.mcintyre@fairfaxmedia.com.au
