Source: West Franklin Breeze – https://westfranklinbreeze.nz/
Record breaking Jole Watkins has been selected to represent NZ at the Virtus World Championships in Thailand during August, but one thing stood in his way.
The 16 year old came to live in New Zealand in 2010 from Eastbourne in East Sussex, UK with his family: parents Mark and Samantha, sisters Alanah and Soraya and his brother Khouri was born here in NZ, but Jole needed his New Zealand citizenship before he could be accepted in the NZ Virtus team.
“There was a real pressure of urgency to get the citizenship to con rm his eligibility for the team and get a passport prepared,” said his mother Samantha. “The Department of Internal A airs couldn't have been more co-operative to speed up the process and we were lucky to be able to get Bill Deed in his Justice of the Peace role to make the presentation at our home in a private ceremony.
The Virtus World Championships are the one of the pinnacle elite sporting event for multi class athletes in the world. Jole has achieved some amazing levels in his chosen sport in just 3 years of competing at National level. At the recent Apollo Projects NZ Swimming Champs in Auckland in May, Jole won two gold, two silver and two bronze medals, he also achieved eight personal best times and holds a NZ record with his 100 metre backstroke.
Twelve athletes have been chosen to attend the games, they are chosen on the success of their results during the year. The athletes range from 15 to 28 years of age.
Locally Jole swims for the Pukekohe Swimming Club which trains daily at Franklin Pools. Jole's coaches Sheldon Kemp and Blake Elliott have been instrumental in helping him achieve his goal to reach the international stage of his swimming. Jole is also a proud Dilworth student who works hard to balance studying for NCEA level 2 whilst juggling swim training along with multiple sports.
Meanwhile, his sister Soraya, 18, who also received her citizenship at the same ceremony has achieved some personal heights. Soraya has chosen the hospitality industry as her career path. She has just completed a six-month course in hotel management in Queenstown and will soon join the Accor Hotel chain in Auckland where she will learn every area of hotel work from room maintenance to guest hospitality. Soraya's preference in the industry is within the food and beverage section with her future plans to move to working as a Flight Attendant. The internship requires Soraya to complete 1000 hours of practical learning.
If any business would like to sponsor Jole to support him in his future goals, which we are sure will be a successful swimming career please contact Samantha 0210 682 826