30/09/2026
πββοΈ FROM RED FIN TO THE AUSTRALIAN SHORT COURSE CHAMPIONSHIPS β€οΈ
Today, weβre asking our Kingaroy, Wondai and wider South Burnett swimming community to get behind one of our own β Alex Reddacliff.
Long before Alex was swimming alongside some of Australia's best, he was a Kingaroy Red Fin.
And his journey to get here is something pretty special.
For years, Alex trained without a coach. Instead of letting that stop him, he got himself into the pool β day after day.
He watched other swimmers. He studied their technique. He tried to imitate what he saw, worked out what he could improve, and got back in the water to try again.
He taught himself.
There were setbacks, challenges and plenty of battles along the way, but Alex kept showing up.
Eventually, people started to notice.
His swimming journey took him from Kingaroy to Toowoomba Grammar, and later to Sunshine Coast Grammar.
And now that same young Red Fin who spent countless hours teaching himself in the pool is at Sydney Olympic Park, competing at the 2026 Australian Short Course Championships β a four-day meet featuring hundreds of swimmers, including some of Australia's leading elite athletes. Swimming Australia
β€οΈ NOW IT'S OUR TURN TO GET BEHIND HIM.
Alex has three races coming up:
π Wednesday 30 September
100m Freestyle β approx. 11:38am
Event 27 β’ Heat 9 β’ Lane 6
π Thursday 1 October
50m Backstroke β approx. 12:21pm
Event 49 β’ Heat 9 β’ Lane 0
π Friday 2 October
50m Freestyle β approx. 10:49am
Event 59 β’ Heat 8 β’ Lane 9
πΊ You can follow the action on 9Now.
So Kingaroy, Wondai and the entire South Burnett swimming community β when Alex steps onto those blocks, let's make sure he knows there is a whole community back home cheering him on.
From teaching himself one stroke at a time in our local pool to competing on the national stage...
Alex, your old swimming community is behind you.
Now go show them what a country kid from Kingaroy can do. β€οΈπͺπββοΈ
GO ALEX!