PLC Sydney Swimmer Tours USA with Stephanie Rice

by Mrs Keely Maxwell
Public Relations and Publications Officer at PLC Sydney

PLC Sydney boarding student Zoe Johnson has been selected to tour the west coast of America with a select group of top Australian swimmers including Stephanie Rice, Liesel Jones and Brenton Rickard.

Zoe has also been awarded a scholarship from the NSW Institute of Sport which means her training has increased to twenty-five hours a week at both SOPAC and PLC Sydney. Her sessions are a combination of pool, dry land and fitness testing.

This follows on from some personal best results at the Telstra Swimming Championships in March where Zoe came sixth in the 100m butterfly and 200m butterfly events and achieved some personal best times.

Now ranked fourth in Australia in the 50m butterfly and sixth in the 100m and 200m butterfly, Zoe has come a long way since she first came to PLC Sydney from her home town of Young so she could focus on her swimming and her studies.

‘The intimate and supportive environment of PLC Sydney’s Boarding House has allowed Zoe to balance her academic studies, training and school life with great success,’ said Director of Boarding Ms Pauline Turner.

PLC Sydney’s Talented Individual Programme has also helped Zoe monitor her training and championship schedule and balance her heavy academic workload.

According to Coordinator Ms Jane Wilson, ‘with a student like Zoe who is involved so heavily in her chosen sport at such an elite level, the College accommodates her needs by being flexible and supportive in every manner’.

‘All the staff involved in Zoe’s development are committed to helping her achieve her goals while maintaining the high academic standards that she has proven herself capable of,’ said Ms Wilson.

After she returns home from the tour Zoe hopes to have the opportunity to join the Australian Swimming Team and train for the London Olympics in 2012.

According to Zoe’s coach, Mr Pancha Thambo, this is a very real possibility. ‘Zoe’s dedication to training is extraordinary and her focus on the London Olympics is a real driver for her at this crucial stage of her swimming career,’ said Mr Thambo.

Zoe and her coach will continue training at PLC Sydney’s JD Oates Aquatic Institute which is home to two indoor heated pools and a team of professional swim staff.
For further information or photographs:

Mrs Keely Maxwell Public Relations and Publications Officer at PLC Sydney

Phone: (+612) 9704 5656 Fax: (+612) 9744 0519

Email: kmaxwell@plc.nsw.edu.au

Web: http://www.plc.nsw.edu.au

Postal address: Boundary Street Croydon 2132

NSW Principal: Dr William McKeith AM