Sunshine Coast Grammar School is celebrating an exciting milestone as Year 12 student Rylee Smith and Director of Swimming Luke Stafford prepare to compete on the world stage at the World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Cup in Europe this month.
Competing in the 10km open‑water events in Ibiza and Sardinia, Rylee will make her senior international debut as one of the youngest athletes selected for the Australian team.
Rylee’s selection follows an outstanding run of performances over the past year. In 2025, she made her junior international debut representing Swimming Australia in the Women’s 7.5km event as part of the Australian Junior Pan Pacific Championships team. She also placed second in Queensland at the Queensland Open Water Swimming Championships.
As a result of her performances, Rylee was invited by Swimming Australia to attend the prestigious Australian Flippers Squad Open Water Camp earlier this year, where she was able to refine her skills and race techniques ahead of the Open Water World Cup.
The World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Cup is a long‑running international series that brings together the world’s best open‑water swimmers. The Ibiza event will be held for the second consecutive year, with races taking place in the Mediterranean Sea, before the series continues in Sardinia, Italy.
Sunshine Coast Grammar School congratulates Rylee and Luke on their achievements and wishes them success as they represent their school and country on the international stage.