MARK TREFFERS
Mark is one of the most successful swimmers that Waverley has produced.
He swam his first race at the age of 8 and won a width of the Conon Street Pool in 1962.
Mark broke his first Southland Record in 1965 in the Under 12 100 YRD Medley.
During his swimming career, Mark went onto break more than 250 Southland, Canterbury and NZ Records.
Winning more than 150 Southland, Canterbury, NZ and English Titles.
Mark was first coached by his father Mr Ted Treffers, who described Mark as a slow plodder in the earlier days but probably the easiest swimmer he had to train because he did everything that he was told to do without problems or complaints. He just went out and did everything that was asked of him. In latter years, Mark was coached by NZ Coach Pic Parkhouse from in Christchurch.
In 1970, he qualified for the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games at the young age of 16, coming home with a Bronze medal from the 1500M Freestyle.
This was just the start of his International swimming career. Mark went to 'The World Champs' in 1971, 1973 and 1975.
In 1972, Mark travelled to Munich for the Olympics and finished 6th in the 1500M Freestyle, the same year he was named in the 'Top 25 Swimmers In The World'.
24th for 800M Freestyle and 25th for the 1500M Freestyle.
1974, he was again named in the Commonwealth Games team to be held in Christchurch, where to everyones excitement he won Gold in the 400M Medley. This turned out to be a warm up for his Silver he secured in the 1500M Freestyle.
In 1975, Mark, along with Fiona Newell from Waverley, was selected for the 1st NZ Game Team to compete against some of the top swimmers in the World at the QEII pool in Christchurch, winning Gold in the 200M and 400M IM, Silver in 800M and 1500M Freestyle - setting NZ records in all 4 swims.
A proud moment for his family and the Waverley Club. Although Mark had transferred to Wharenui Club in Christchurch many years before, he was still considered Waverley.
Marks, swan song was the 1976 Montreal Olympics where he competed in the 1500M Freestyle and 400IM.