The Flinders Aquatic Centre has had a refurbishment, with new pool blocks installed through a $25,000 grant from the Queensland Government’s Gambling Community Benefit Fund and further support from Matthew Flinders Anglican College.
Located on College grounds, the Flinders Aquatic Centre features a high quality 25-metre, 8-lane heated outdoor pool with grand-stand seating.
The pool is utilised by students from Prep to Year 12 at Matthew Flinders Anglican College and is also home to the Flinders Phoenix Swimming Academy, the largest competitive swim club in the Wide Bay region, along with a Learn-to-Swim service.
At the recent 2024 Sunshine Coast Sport Awards, the Flinders Phoenix Swimming was a finalist for 'Team of the Year' and owner Chris Wright for 'Coach of the Year'.
Established in July 2022, Phoenix has 258 members, including 147 registered competitive swimmers and 111 parents and coaches. Phoenix is expertly led by Olympians Chris and Mel Wright, and has achieved phenomenal growth in a short time.
Phoenix has a busy competition schedule, focused on three major age group meets each season: the Queensland State Short course Championships in August to September, the Queensland Long Course Championships in December and the National Age in April.
Chris Wright says the club’s growth is due to the team’s passion and commitment to guiding young people of all ages through all aspects of swimming, from the learn-to-swim program and skill-based training to athlete long-term development.
Chris coached 17-year-old Flinders student Callum Simpson OAM to Paralympic glory.
Callum won two gold and one silver medals in the pool at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Game and was honoured with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in January this year.
He also won Star of the Year, as well as the Para Sport Athlete of the Year at the 2024 Sunshine Coast Sport Awards.
Callum began at Flinders in Prep and is now in Year 12, having trained in the Flinders pool throughout his emerging career.
What's Key to the Phoenix Swim Club's Success?
Chris said, “Mel and I have a deep love for swimming and a strong belief in the benefits it brings to the development of young people.
“Helping swimmers build confidence, improve their skills and develop a love for the sport is what I find most rewarding. This passion is shared by our teachers and coaches, and it truly shines through in their teaching,” he said.
“Families can see and feel that genuine enthusiasm, and it creates a positive and inspiring environment.
“Our program has come a long way in a short time, but I believe this is only the beginning.”
Flexibility is also key to the Phoenix business model, to ensure that every client has the opportunity to swim.
“So, whether it’s accommodating schedules or creating a supportive space, our focus is always on getting swimmers in the water and helping them thrive.
“We also want to be a friendly swimming community, and I believe plus want to be involved as much as possible.
“Our families tell us they appreciate the positive vibe and community that has been created, particularly the race night events that run every fortnight in Terms 1 and 4, attracting more than 130 swimmers for a fun night of swimming competition.”
The goal is to build on achievements each year, preparing swimmers to attend these meets through their qualifying times and developing swimmers to reach the top 10 in their events.
Chris said, “Alongside these major events are local meets which are a great building block for the newer members of our team, as we try to get them to fall in love with swimming like we do.
“It doesn’t matter if they are competing at a national level, working hard to pass our junior squad assessments, or just starting out in our learn-to-swim program. Watching their progress, no matter the stage, and knowing we’ve helped them take steps toward achieving their goals is why we choose coaching as our career and passion.”
About Flinders
Matthew Flinders Anglican College is a leading Queensland independent school with a proven record of academic excellence and a rich co-curricular program, all supported by a caring community which upholds values of compassion, courage, integrity and respect.
The College has more than 1,400 students from Prep to Year 12 and is supported with a vibrant learning environment and quality learning and sporting facilities across the 22-hectare rainforest-fringed campus.
The Flinders Aquatic Centre is a high quality 25-metre, 8-lane heated outdoor squad training pool. It is located beside the Flinders Primary School and main Anthony Vincent Oval on-site at Matthew Flinders Anglican College.
Flinders students are fortunate to have this impressive facility available to them. Students may visit the pool for Health and Physical Education lessons or private lessons, sports training and events such as our Flinders Swimming Carnivals. The Centre features clean, well-maintained change-room facilities and grandstand seating.
The Flinders Elite Athlete Program strives to support student athletes to make the most of their quality education at Flinders while chasing their dreams in their chosen sports.
Learn more at www.mfac.edu.au
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