Published 23 July 2025

The 2025 Royal Life Saving Society Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships in Swansea, Wales have come to a close, and the Australian Life Saving Team returns home proud, inspired, and full of memories after an unforgettable week of international competition.

The Australian Development Team finished 2nd overall, while the National Team placed 3rd - a remarkable achievement that speaks to the depth of talent, teamwork, and dedication across both squads.

Standout performances came from Chelsea Jones and Brayden Woodford, who were awarded the Overall Individual Point Scores in their respective divisions. Chelsea also broke the Commonwealth Record in the Women’s Rescue Medley, a fitting reward for a week of excellence in and out of the pool.

Chelsea Jones

Brayden Woodford

Heath Corry also stands out by breaking the 100m Manikin Carry Commonwealth record twice in one day – once in the morning heat swim and then again in the afternoon finals.  All other athletes excelled in personal best times, some like James McGrath, dropping 8 seconds off a single race.

Across three days of competition, the Australian Lifesaving Team collected an impressive tally of gold, silver, and bronze medals, showcasing strength across individual and relay events.

But beyond the podium finishes, this event was a celebration of everything lifesaving sport represents: teamwork, leadership, resilience, and international camaraderie. The team proudly led the Development Workshop ahead of competition, sharing skills and knowledge with other nations - an effort widely praised by event organisers and fellow competitors.

We extend a heartfelt thank you to all the athletes, the team management and coaches, and the Australian officials who played key roles in making this event such a success. Their hard work, professionalism and passion helped create a supportive environment that allowed our athletes to shine.

"These athletes gave everything - in training, in competition, and in the way they represented Australia off the pool deck. But none of it would have been possible without the incredible team management and coaches and our Australian officials, who gave so much of their time and energy to support the team and the event. Their commitment and care made all the difference." Brooke Cherfils, National Manager – Lifesaving Development

Royal Life Saving Australia congratulates every athlete and official involved. The future of lifesaving sport is bright - and Australia continues to be a proud leader on the international stage.

We would also like to thank Oliver Dixon Photography for capturing the event and the Australian Lifesaving Team in action. (www.olliedixon.com/IG: @olliedixonphoto)

2025 Australian Life Saving Teams – Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships

National Team

• Chelsea Jones (Captain)
• Jemma Holt
• Jessica Oates
• Madison Jones
• Paige Holt
• Daniel Miller (Captain)
• Brayden Woodford
• Heath Corry
• Nicholas Hodgers
• Oscar Starr-Thomas

Development Team

• Bella Murchie
• Eleanor Flowers
• Milla Clark
• Reagan Copsey
• Stephanie Staniforth
• Billy Love
• Corbin Zahn
• Jackson Brennan
• James McGrath
• Mitchell Tuckey

Management Team

• National Team Coach: Rebecca Hartman
• Development Team Coach: Ethan Garland
• Team Manager: Jennifer Jones
• Assistant Team Manager: Robert Dale
• RLSSA Delegate: Brooke Cherfils

Officials
Anne-Maree Gardiner AM – Director for Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships
Joanne Teagle - Chief Referee
Roz Grey OAM – WET SERC Referee
Dr Shayne Baker OAM
Jaclyn Baxter
Jeannie Baxter-Reid
Sue Baxter-Winch
Mary Collins
Maree Emery
Penny Hodgers
Cath Hynd
Nicole Krite
Rob Reid
Tony Seals
John Winch

Medal Highlights:

GOLD

• 200m Obstacles – Chelsea Jones (NT), Reagan Copsey (DT)
• 100m Manikin Tow with fins – Brayden Woodford (NT)
• 50m Manikin Carry – Chelsea Jones (NT), Corbin Zahn (DT)
• 200m Super Lifesaver – Chelsea Jones (NT), Eleanor Flowers (DT)
• 100m Rescue Medley – Chelsea Jones (NT), Eleanor Flowers (DT)
• 200m Obstacle Relay - Bella Murchie (DT), Reagan Copsey (DT), Stephanie Staniforth (DT), Eleanor Flowers (DT)
• 4x50m Medley Relay - Stephanie Staniforth (DT), Bella Murchie (DT), Reagan Copsey (DT), Eleanor Flowers (DT)
• WET SERC – Jemma Holt (NT) - Captain, Jessica Oates (NT), Nicholas Hodgers (NT), Daniel Miller (NT)
• 4x50m Pool Lifesvaer Relay – Chelsea Jones (NT), Jemma Holt (NT), Jessica Oates (NT), Madison Jones (NT)
• 4x25m Manikin Relay – Bella Murchie (DT), Eleanor Flowers (DT), Milla Clark (DT), Stephanie Staniforth (DT)

SILVER

• 200m Obstacles – Jemma Holt (NT), Brayden Woodford (NT)
• 100m Manikin Tow with fins – Stephanie Staniforth (DT)
• 50m Manikin Carry with fins – Bella Murchie (DT)
• 100m Manikin Carry with fins – Heath Corry (NT) (Broke the Commonwealth record twice – in heats and finals!)
• 100m Rescue Medley – Corbin Zahn (DT)
• DRY SERC – Daniel Miller (NT)
• 12.5m Line Throw – Jemma Holt (NT) & Paige Holt (NT)
• 4x50m Medley Relay – Chelsea Jones, Jemma Holt (NT), Madison Jones (NT), Jessica Oates (NT)
• WET SERC – Corbin Zahn (DT) - Captain, Eleanor Flowers (DT), Mitchell Tuckey (DT), Stephanie Staniforth (DT)

BRONZE

• 200m Obstacles – Eleanor Flowers (DT)
• 100m Manikin Tow with fins – Billy Love (DT)
• 50m Manikin Carry – Milla Clark (DT)
• 200m Super Lifesaver – Billy Love (DT), Milla Clark (DT)
• 100m Rescue Medley – Jemma Holt (NT)
• 12.5m Line Throw – Jessica Oates (NT) & Madison Jones (NT)
• 4x50m Medley Relay – Nicholas Hodgers (NT)/Oscar Starr-Thomas (NT), Heath Corry (NT), Daniel Miller (NT), Brayden Woodford (NT), Corbin Zahn (DT), Jackson Brennan (DT), James McGrath (DT), Billy Love (DT)
• 4x25m Manikin Relay – Daniel Miller (NT)/Brayden Woodford (NT), Nicholas Hodgers (NT), Heath Corry (NT), Oscar Starr-Thomas (NT), Corbin Zahn (DT), Jackson Brennan (DT), Mitchell Tuckey (DT), Billy Love (DT)