Matt & Haig selected for Aussie A team to take on the USA

New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship athletes Matt Galea and Haig Buckingham have been selected to represent the Australia A team in swimming that will compete at the TYR Pro Championships in Irvine, California USA from 26 to 29 July 2023.

Galea’s selection follows his performance at the World Championships Trials in Melbourne last week. The 21-year-old didn’t contain his excitement concerning his times in the 400m and 800m events.

“If you told me a year ago that I’d be swimming a 3.48 400 free and a 7.53 800 free I would have laughed and said, ‘good joke,’ tell another,” Galea wrote on social media.

“Even with all the ups and down swimming brings I’m pretty happy to say I’m proud of where I’ve come and where I’m heading. I look forward to heading home, setting new goals and striving to be better for next year.”

Galea joins a team which consists of  experienced Australian representatives and athletes in contention to challenge for a position at next year’s Paris Olympics. The team will spend a week together in Laguna Hills, California for a Staging Camp prior to shifting their attention to the Championships.

The team will be led by WAIS Head Coach Ben Higson (WA) and Ben will be supported by coaches David Proud (Qld), Janelle Pallister (Qld) and Craig Stewart (SA).

Also supporting the team will be team manager Linley Frame, physiotherapist Tom Barton, massage therapist Michael Thiel-Paul and Biomechanist Nicholas Smith.

General Manger Performance Pathways and Team Lead for the tour, Gary Barclay said:

“Providing international racing opportunities for this group of athletes is a key to ensure continued upward pressure for places in the Paris Olympic team.”

“The quality of US swimmers competing at these Championships is very high and this will enable our Australian swimmers to gain further experience travelling and competing one year out from the main game.”