By Mikayla van Loon
For the first time in six years Lilydale Swimming Club will be represented at nationals even after a tumultuous two years of not having a home base.
Kynon qualified for nationals earlier this year, reaching the necessary state and national times, booking the teenager a spot in the Australian Age Championships in Brisbane.
“It’s definitely a big step. I get to go cross country. I’m excited, nervous but excited,” he said.
Head coach Duana Mcleod said this is something that has been building over a number of years for Kynon, who started competitive swimming at the age of 10.
“It’s been a long time coming, building the long term goal for a couple years, and then that long term goal became shorter and shorter,” she said.
Qualifying for not just one but three separate races, Kynon will compete in the 100 metre fly on Wednesday 16 April, the 400 metre individual medley and the 200 metre back stroke on Friday 18 April.
The 16-year-old trains six days a week, plus gym sessions, to achieve his best, with dreams of the Olympics but said he just wants to go as far as he can in the sport.
“(I want to go) as far as I’m able to get, and see how far I can go. Try my hardest, challenge myself,” he said.
As the only coach, with 53 members in the club, Duana said Kynon’s achievement just shows in a supportive and relatively small club “you can make it, no matter where you are”.
“You just need the right team behind you and the support and the dedication and you can make it no matter where you go,” she said.
Presented with his nationals swimming cap and t-shirt on Wednesday 9 April, Duana and fellow team mates congratulated Kynon ahead of the competition.
Collectively, Duana said, this was a huge moment for the club after losing its home pool at Kilsyth in 2023 and having to split their training between the Yarra Centre, Knox Leisure Works and the Lilydale Outdoor Pool during summer.
“This closure has impacted the club greatly, it has led to increased training costs and logistical hurdles, with members now travelling up to 50 minutes for training sessions,” she said.
Because Kilsyth Centenary Pool was the Lilydale Swimming Club’s venue, Duana said the lanes were open to them at any time but at pools outside the council area the club must hire the lanes for training, a cost that is now unsustainable.
“To support the club and its athletes, fundraising initiatives have been launched, aiming to cover costs and sustain the club’s legacy,” Duana said.
Seeking to raise $7000 to cover essential operating costs, such as coaching fees, equipment, and venue hire, Duana said it would also just ensure the kids and adults at the club are able to continue the thing they love.
“Our club supports itself, the members give back so much to us which is great but we now need outside help.”
Lilydale Swimming Club first established in 1903 serving the community of the Yarra Ranges for over 120 years, making it one of Victoria’s oldest clubs.
Duana said the Kilsyth pool closure was a major hurdle but “members and parents have shown such tenacity and strength” continuing to qualify for state competitions and now nationals, that they’re not going anywhere.
“Almost three years on, we’re making work. It’s not ideal but we’ve got these kids that are so dedicated they want to do it,” she said.
“We haven’t gone anywhere yet. We’re not planning to anytime soon. We’re just this little, small club over here, but achieving big things, and means heaps to the kids who do attend. It’s not just a small club for these guys.
“We’re very much that family focus and I think that’s what keeps people around because we are so close…We’ve still got kids wanting to achieve state times, national times and just be a part of a community.”
To help support the Lilydale Swimming Club, go to asf.org.au/campaigns/lilydale-swimming-club/keep-us-afloat-support-our-swim-support-lilydale-swim-club
