NSW will be out to break an extraordinary streak of Queensland domination when the recently selected Inflatable Rescue Boat Interstate team contests the 2024 Sharkskin Australian IRB Championships at Miami Beach on the Gold Coast from 18-21 July.
The squad, selected and announced at the end of the Sharkskin NSW Championships a fortnight ago in Cape Hawke, is made up of the state’s most talented and in-form drivers, crew and patients and provides a strong foundation for victory in what presents, once again, as an almighty challenge.
Queensland won the title way back in 2009 and has successfully defended it every time the competition has run since. Last year, their 13th straight overall point score victory, saw the sunshine state win all nine race categories and, in some cases, finish with a one-two between their Open and Development teams.
NSW ended the Championships 11 points behind them in second and the same margin ahead of Victoria in third, but there’s optimism amongst the squad that this could be the year to topple their talented neighbours to the north.
“We’ve got a great mix of youth and experience in the squad this year, from a host of different clubs,” said NSW Head Coach, Kathy Foster from Kiama Downs SLSC.
“Interstate is a really different format this time around with the World Championships coming up later this year, and I think we’ve got the right mix to get it done and take home the title for NSW.”
It’s the first time since 2018 that IRBs will feature as part of the National Teams competition at the World Lifesaving Championships, set down for Kurrawa Beach on 4 September, and as such the Australian IRB Team selection process will be informed by performances across the weekend – both the Interstate and Australian Championships.
The Interstate Championships will take place on Thursday 18 July before the event rolls into the Australian Championships – contested by club crews from around the country – from Friday until Sunday.
2024 NSW IRB INTERSTATE TEAM
Oliver Kleyn – Caves Beach
Luke Warzecha – Caves Beach
Luke Walmsley – Caves Beach
William Coppen – Caves Beach
Nathan Foster – Kiama Downs
Jordan Dusmanovic – Kiama Downs
Thomas Doyle – Newport
Luke Thornton – Newport
Victoria Coppen – Caves Beach
Hayley Walmsley – Caves Beach
Kathy Foster – Kiama Downs
Ella Cleal-Cook – Kiama Downs
Rhianna Kevill – Kiama Downs
Katlynn Coglan – North Cronulla
Lucy Green – North Cronulla
Rebekah Hawkins – Nobbys
Jayden Keys – Thirroul (RES)
Gabby Grieves – Caves Beach (RES)
2024 NSW IRB DEVELOPMENT TEAM
Jacob Curcio – Newport
Jayden Redfern – Newport
Flynn Wallace-Smith – Caves Beach
Daniel Ward – Caves Beach
Alex Shaddock – South Maroubra
Laurie Golsby – South Maroubra
Marshall Lines – South Maroubra
Thomas Hetherington – South Maroubra
Lily Hook – North Cronulla
Hannah Berman – North Cronulla
Emily Thornton – Newport
Haidee Underwood – Newport
Isabella Garay – South Maroubra
Elisa Garay – South Maroubra
Iona Dyson Merwe – South Maroubra
Lucy Burns – South Maroubra
Jack Hawkins – Nobbys (RES)
Grace Morley – Queenscliff (RES)
Wednesday 17 July 2024