Alistair McMurran

The signs are good. Otago swimming is on the verge of producing national senior champions and internationals.

Blair Barringer is the comeback kid who has been the dominant player in Dunedin bowls this season.

When the world under-20 championships were held in Dunedin a year ago, the players relaxed in the surf at St Kilda Beach.

A visit to the family home early this month by former Olympian Barry Magee inspired the Smith brothers to excel at athletics.

Kurt Crosland (Neptune) remembered the advice of his first coach, the late Duncan Laing, when he blitzed the field at Moana Pool on Saturday night.

Doug Tietjens is the latest casualty but the Highlanders will soon be boosted by some powerful reinforcements.

The hard training paid dividends for Kate Godfrey (Neptune) last night when she broke through the pain barrier at Moana Pool.

Otago swimming no longer offers Carina Doyle the environment she needs to become an international swimmer and she has decided to try her luck in Wellington.

A rejuvenated Matthew Glassford (Neptune) pulled out all stops over the last two laps to win the Otago senior men's 1500m freestyle at Moana Pool last night.

The Otago Rugby Football Union was teetering on its last legs a year ago and was in danger of going into liquidation. But its fortunes have been revived over the past 12 months and there is a positive approach for the future.

Highlanders first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga has made a simple new year's resolution - to remain free of injury during the 2013 season.

Daniel O'Shea (Hill City-University) was first home but he did not beat the Dunedin Town Hall clock in the sprint around the Octagon on Saturday.

One was not enough. Les Wilson was in raptures after his first hole in one and wanted more.

A temporary coach will be appointed to look after 55 Waves Club swimmers after next week's Otago championships.