TAREE swimmer Mitch Hoppe knows he's going to have to train really hard from now until October following his selection in the Team NSW squad to contest the Special Olympics Australia Games in Melbourne.
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The games will run from October 20-25,
Mitch, 22, is expected to swim in the 50 and 100m freestyle, although this has yet to be confirmed. He is one of nine Mid North Coast competitors named to represent NSW in various sports.
He is also the Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week, earning a $50 open order at Iguana.
This is the second time he's represented his State, the first being at Canberra last year. While he missed out on a medal then, he's hopeful of improving his times in October to not only gain a podium finish, but to earn selection in a national team to head to Los Angeles next year for the Special Olympics World Summer Games.
Mitch started swimming about 10 years ago. He's the first to admit he's not always the most dedicated trainer but he will be spending plenty of time in the pool to prepare for the national games.
Mitch has weekly sessions at the Manning Aquatic Leisure Centre under the guidance of coach Jeremy Wardrop.
It will also cost Mitch around $3000 to compete in Melbourne and his mum and dad, Judy and Ian, will soon start conducting fundraisers.
