Redhead pair Lily Costello and Hayden Copping have been handed lead roles as Hunter prepare to clinch an elusive podium place at the NSW Interbranch Surf Life Saving Championships this weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Costello and Copping are both still under-19 competitors but have been picked to lead the representative surf-lifesaving team for the coming seasons.
“We have picked young captains who will grow with the team; we want to build the team as a group,” Hunter selector Craig Coates said.
“They are part of that strong young brigade coming through now.”
The interbranch titles will be staged at The Lakes beach on Saturday and Sunday and Coates believed Hunter were a strong chance to finish in the top three.
“With the Summer of the Surf Series on there will be a lot of major people missing on the weekend,” he said.
“Obviously there is still going to be tough competition but it is a good chance for Hunter to do well.
“I have been looking back at the records and have looked back to 2003 and Hunter have finished fourth every year since then, except for in 2004 when they were fifth.”
The Hunter branch team comprises athletes from the under-12 age group through to opens.
Coates said there were some encouraging performances from the Central Coast Ironperson Series at Shelley beach last Saturday.
Lily Forbes won the under-13 ironperson and Bella Williams (under 14) Saxon Coates (under 14), Ethan Coates (under-17) and Claudia Yates (under-15) all won their races.