Wesley College students excel in the water

The swimming pool at Wesley College is known as "the bomb" because the only thing it's useful for is bombing contests laughs deputy headmaster Chris Bean.

The pool isn't the right length and accept for school swimming sports it's hardly used.

Despite the primitive pool, Wesley boasts two of the best age-group swimmers in the country.

Jack Neal-Pratt is the National under-15 400m breast stroke champion and Jovarn Broughton won three medals in the same age group. He won a silver in the 200m breast stroke and bronze medals in the 100m breast stroke and regional relay;  Broughton qualified for six finals.

Neal-Pratt has been swimming competitively since he was four years old. He trains eight times a week and enjoyed his first major victory while representing the Pakuranga club aged 12. Neal-Pratt recalls the joy of success in Taupo.

"I went to a club meet down there and won gold in the 200m backstroke. I felt good and increased my training."

Concentration isn't simple for Neal-Pratt. He suffers from ADHD and is able to compete in Paralympics swimming as well as able-bodied events. Neal-Pratt coaches special Olympics swimming and hopes to increase that sports mainstream appeal.

"I am not embarrassed about my disability. Overcoming it's disadvantages motivates me to perform better in and out of the water."

Wilson-Pratt is a member of the Franklin Youth Advisory caucus. The 16-man volunteer group meets every Tuesday to discuss issues of concern for youth in Franklin. Wilson-Pratt has won funding for a new pool project in the reason, but says his biggest motivation is increasing youth involvement in sport.

"I think it's really important for young people to be involved in sport. It helps build confidence, discipline and friendships.

Despite being rivals, Wilson-Pratt is good friends with Jovarn Broughton. Broughton was encouraged by his parents to start competitive swimming at the age of 10 after showing speed in his lesions.

Broughton swims for the Pukekohe club. He says last year's national have really inspired him to push for more.

"I want to go to the Olympics. That's a long way off, but I was surprised at what I achieved. I think if I work hard then maybe I could make it."

Broughton says his favourite swimmer is Michael Phelps and like Wilson-Pratt he has talents outside of the water.

"I do movies. I was an extra in Beyond the Edge, a film about Sir Edmund Hillary. I am also a model. I have done modelling for Pumpkin Patch."

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