Riley invited to Paralympics camp
Peninsula resident Riley Moore, 19, has been invited to attend the Pathways to Paralympics camp on the Gold Coast after his five gold medal win at the Australian Para Swimming Titles.
Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch, a Paralympics gold medallist, said she was immensely proud of Riley for his incredible achievements.
Ms Tesch said Riley had achieved world rated times, including being in line with the second fasted world time in the 50 metre backstroke, "a reflection of his tireless work training to achieve his very best".
"Riley at just 19 is a powerhouse in the pool and has so much ahead of him, something the Pathways to Para Olympics Camp scouters certainly saw too."
"It makes me so proud to see Peninsula locals reaching new heights on the Australian and potentially world stage.
"After speaking with Riley's grandparents it is clear I am not the only one tearfully proud of his achievement.
"I am 100 percent behind Riley in his pursuit of this dream and I am sure the rest of the Peninsula is too."
Riley said his original dream was to compete professionally in water polo, previously representing NSW since he was in his teens in both the Blues and the Waratahs.
Over the lockdowns, with the closure of the local pools and cancellation of water polo, Riley and his best friend were out, swimming kilometres in the cold water Pearl Beach Ocean Pool.
Riley said that was when decided to look into competing at the Australian Para Swimming Titles.
"My coach had always told me about pursuing swimming and the competition.
"But I played water polo and I had wanted to play competitively since I was young.
"My original dream was also to go to the Olympics but then I found out about the Paralympics after my diagnosis of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia when I was nine.
"Then came the second lockdown and so I started swim training even more."
"So for me lockdown opened my opportunities."
Riley currently studies Exercise and Sports Science at the Ourimbah Campus of Newcastle University.
In his spare time, he teaches the next generation of swimmers and keeps them safe in his role as a swim coach and lifeguard at Peninsula Leisure Centre.
Ms Tesch says Riley was a great role model: "Riley is such a positive spirit who has worked very hard despite the challenges he has faced.
"I can't wait to see the impact he has on the next generation of Peninsula athletes."
Riley is pictured with five gold Australian age multi-class swimming championships for 17-18 years boys.
SOURCE:
Media release, 4 May 2022
Liesl Tesch, Member for Gosford