Northern suburbs swimmer James McKechnie set to represent his small club Starplex at Gold Coast Commonwealth Games

STARPLEX Swim Centre high performance manager Stephen Garner saw James McKechnie’s potential seven years ago. Now McKechnie is set to make his Australian debut at the Commonwealth Games.

SA swimmers, coach and team staff selected for the Australian Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Team (L to R) - Angela Mondello, Peter Bishop, Jesse Aungles, Kyle Chalmers, James McKechnie and Travis Mahoney. Picture: Supplied.

STARPLEX Swim Centre high performance manager Stephen Garner saw James McKechnie’s potential seven years ago.

But Garner, who has coached the Hillbank swimmer since he was 15, was also aware how tough it was to make an Australian team – especially for an athlete coming from a small swim club with just 70 members.

“James always had the ingredients to do well,” Garner says.

“It’s pretty hard to get on an Australian team and it shouldn’t be underestimated.

“He’s a very hard worker, he’s very persistent and they are two really good qualities to have.

“Out of the athletes I was coaching, he’s probably the one that was showing the possibilities.”

As McKechnie prepares to make his debut for Australia in the 50m breaststroke at this week’s Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, Garner says he could not be prouder of the 22-year-old.

“We talked about this Commonwealth Games as being the springboard for him,” Garner says.

“I wasn’t in a hurry with him because when they win something like that, they are still a fair way, usually, from the big boys and girls.

“We talked about it and I didn’t think he’d be ready for the Rio Games, so the home Commonwealth Games would be a target.”

Garner is likely to join club coaches and swimmers at a Gawler pub to watch McKechnie on TV.

He hoped McKechnie’s Commonwealth Games berth would inspire other youngsters at Starplex and help them dream big.

“I think we are the only non-funded club to get somebody on the swimming team in the whole of Australia,” Garner said.

“The young kids can look over a few lanes and see one of their own made it at this level – and I think it’s really good for the whole northern region.”

McKechnie joins Evanston Gardens cyclist Callum Scotson in the Australian team.

The Commonwealth Games start today (April 4).

Originally published as Northern suburbs swimmer James McKechnie set to represent his small club Starplex at Gold Coast Commonwealth Games