Written by Ian Hanson OAM
Rackley Olympians Sam Short and Tommy Neill were front and centre at the 2026 Battle of Brisbane age group teams meet at Somerville House.
The pair addressing the 140 swimmers and their parents before the four teams – three named after Brisbane Olympic medallists Steph Rice, Jess Schipper and Mitch Larkin and the fourth team representing Wide Bay put together an exciting event.
Short and Neill then jumped behind the microphones to provide expert commentary on the meet that featured Brisbane’s best 9–12-year-olds and Under 15 years Multi-Class swimmers – events included 50, 100 and 200m freestyle; 50 form strokes and 100 and 200IMs as well as a host of freestyle and medley relays.
The neck-and-neck pointscore going right down to the wire in a thrilling 20×25 mixed freestyle relay final event with Team Mitch coming from behind to win and secure the pointscore with 208 points from Team Jess (202), Team Steph (200.50) and Wide Bay (109.50).
Team Mitch led by Head Coach Sam Sharp (Nudgee College), Mya Rasmussen (Somerville House), Billy Bishell(Yeronga Park) and Jake Buckley (Logan Vikings)
Short saying: “It was important to connect with the swimming community in South-East Queensland and give back to the sport – and having some fun along the way.
“The Battle of Brisbane is a real winner for the kids aged 9 to 12 and the energy generated was fantastic – swimming for their teams.”
Short and Neill both returned to training this week at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre – Short after his dominant seven-gold gold haul at the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacs and Neil after suffering a broken hand which forced him out of both meets.
The Australian Short Course Championships and World SC Championship Selection Trials in Sydney from September 29 to October 2 will be next on the agenda for Short, while Neil is hoping to race the Queensland Championships in December.