Royal Life Saving NSW was proud to send a team of eight athletes across the ditch to Auckland, New Zealand, to compete in the Aon New Zealand Pool Rescue Championships.

The event was held from Friday 26 September to Sunday 28 September at the Sir Owen G Glenn National Aquatic Centre. With 31 lifesaving clubs from across New Zealand and athletes from the Australian national team, the competition was fierce, and the atmosphere in New Zealand’s high-performance facility was truly electric.

While the team didn’t compete for medals, they delivered some outstanding performances and, most importantly, gained invaluable experience racing against new competitors outside of Australia.

Meet the Team

Our athletes representing Royal Life Saving NSW included:

• Aliza Woodford

• Emily Fitzgerald

• Matias Soca

• Madison Jones

• Stephanie Staniforth

• Nicholas Hodgers

• Courtney Fitzgerald

• Kirra Dale

Standout Performances

Individual Highlights

• Madison Jones

  • 1st place U19 Female – 200m Swim with Obstacles

  • 4th place U19 Female – 200m Super Lifesaver

  • 4th place U19 Female – 50m Swim with Fins

  • 5th place U19 Female – 100m Rescue Medley Manikin

• Stephanie Staniforth

  • 2nd place U19 Female – 100m Manikin Tow with Fins

Team Highlights

• 2nd place – Open Female Line Throw

Kirra Dale & Courtney Fitzgerald 

• 3rd place – Open Female 4x50m Pool Lifesaver Relay

Aliza Woodford, Courtney Fitzgerald, Stephanie Staniforth, Emily Fitzgerald

• 4th place – Open Mixed 4x50m Medley Relay

Aliza Woodford, Kirra Dale, Matias Soca, Nicholas Hodgers

• 5th place – Open Mixed 4x50m Obstacle Relay

Matias Soca, Madison Jones, Stephanie Staniforth, Nicholas Hodgers

Beyond the Pool

Even with a packed competition schedule, the team found time to enjoy some of New Zealand’s beautiful scenery. Highlights included visits to the east coast beaches and a short hike up Mount Eden, taking in some great views of the Auckland skyline from the dormant volcano.

Athlete Reflections

The team had a fantastic experience both in and out of the pool. Aliza Woodford, the youngest competitor, shared: "What an awesome few days... I certainly will take away a lot of great memories from this!"

Nicholas Hodgers added: "Hopefully we can make this part of the regular season calendar going forward!"

Thank You

A huge thank you goes to coach Ethan Garland and team manager Rob Dale for their time, dedication, and guidance throughout the trip. Their support and contribution throughout the competition was invaluable in helping the athletes make the most of this opportunity.

Looking Ahead

Royal Life Saving NSW was thrilled to provide some of our emerging talent with this international racing opportunity. Beyond chasing personal bests and posting fast times, athletes were able to travel together as a team, form new friendships, and experience the sport on a bigger stage.

With a strong race calendar building into 2026, now is the perfect time to get involved in pool lifesaving and explore the opportunities it has to offer.

To get started, contact our head office – we can help you find your local club or even set up a new one at your local pool.