Geelong Swimming Club member, Phoebe Mitchell has been selected in the Down Syndrome “Down Under” Swimming Team to represent Australia at the World Down Syndrome Swimming Championships to be held in Albufeira, Portugal in November 2008. The World Championships are held every 2 years.
Phoebe is 16 and currently in year 9 at Oberon High School. She has been training with the Geelong Swimming Club for 4 years and her coach in the “Country” Squad at present is Rebecca Balm.
The Down Syndrome “Down Under” Swimming Organisation was formed in 2005 with the support of Australian Sport and Recreation Association for Persons with an Intellectual Disability Incorporated AUSRAPID. Swimming for people with an intellectual disability is currently included in National Swimming Championships, however exposure to National and International competition opportunities, specifically for people with Down Syndrome are quite limited. This organisation allows swimmers with Down Syndrome to compete at an international level other than competing in the S14 classification for swimmers with an Intellectual Disability.