The Tapper Family - and their achievements are almost too unbelievable to be true!
Michael, Janet, Richard, Joanne, Ruth and Penny. All impressive swimmers and water polo players.
From 1977 - 1998, the Tapper name was regularly featured in the Southland Times - with Richard, Joanne, Ruth and Penny taking out most of the honours.

RICHARD TAPPER

​​​​​​​Richard first started to show in local swim results in 1977, but it was not until 1979 that he broke his first Southland Record in the 11Yrs 100 YRDS (91.44 Metres) - This was just the beginning of a long and successful career in swimming.
He went onto represent Southland at all levels from Teleprinter to NZ Open Meets.
At the age of 12, Richard was awarded the 'Southland Swimmer of the Year.'
In 1984, Richard became the first Southland swimmer to break the 50 Sec barrier for the 100 YRDS Freestyle.
As an age group swimmer, Richard, has an amazing record of winning many awards and medals.
In 1983, he came home with 4 Gold and a Silver.
1984, 5 Gold and 2 Silver medals and in 1986, 4 Gold and 3 Silver.
At the 1986 NZ Open Champps, Richard won 2 Gold, 2 Silver and a Bronze setting NZ Open Records in 200, 400 Freestyle and the 4 x 200M Freestyle relay.

When a part of a young Southland Team in 1984, they broke both the 4 x 200 Freestyle Relay and the 4 x 200 Medley Relay NZ Junior Records.

In 1982, Richard was selected for the NZ team for the Pacfic School Games.
In 1985, it was the Australia Games.
In 1986, selected for the Australian Winter Champs
In 1987, selected for the Pan Pacific Games...
But the proudest achievement must have been the selection for the 1990 Commonwealth Games Swim Team to compete in Christchurch - this was where Richard swam in the 4 x 200M Relay team where they secured Bronze. Also, placing an amazing 8th in the 400M Freestyle.
Two years later, he was selected again for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, where he competed in the 4 x 200M Relay team and in the 400M Freestyle.

JOANNE TAPPER

Joanne was a Freestyle sprint specialist - breaking a number of Southland records and represented Southland at all levels of swimming.
Winning many NZ Age Group Medals but her best swim was at the NZ Open Champs, where she won the 50M Freestyle - breaking the NZ record.
Making this night a night to remember for the Tappers' - as Richard had won the 400M Freestyle just minutes before.
In 1988, Joanne was named Southland Junior Sportsperson of the Year and the Southland swimmer of the year.
Water Polo was also a large part of Joanne's life - she was selected for the U15 NZ Team and the NZ Secondary School Team in 1989 and in 1990.
Jo was also an integral member of the victorious Southland Sting Netball team which then eventuated into assistant coaching.

RUTH TAPPER

A backstroke specialist - Ruth held Open Records in the 100M and 200M Backstroke. 
Representing Southland at NZ Age Groups, NZ Winter and Open Champs in swimming.
In Water Polo, Ruth made her mark in 1988 as she was selected for the U15 NZ Team and in 1989 and 1990 was a member of the NZ Secondary School Team.

PENNY TAPPER

Penny is the youngest of the Tapper Family. 
Breaking records from a young age - winning National titles, had Penny as one to watch.
At the age of 9, Penny had won 2 National Titles at Teleprinter Finals - in 100M Freestyle, 100M Backstroke and a Silver in 50M Butterfly.
In 1992, at the age of 13, Penny qualified for the NZ Open Champs, where she broke records in Freestyle, Backstroke and Medley over the years.
Penny was selected to swim for NZ in 1993 in The Tri Series team. This team competed against 2 Australian Teams.
She was selected for a NZ team to swim in The Australian State League in 1998 and the NZ Team for the World University Games.
Penny was also an accomplished water polo player - and was selected in the U15 NZ Team in 1993 and the NZ Secondary Schools team in 1994.
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