Coach Chris Russell said yesterday the club was rebuilding after a lull and for some of its swimmers the two-day event in Wangaratta this weekend was their first major competition. "To have six swimmers going to a championship event is a sign of us moving forward," Russell said.

"Everyone has been training for it. It's one of the events you do target."

Russell has been joining his swimmers in the training pool and is contesting the 18 years and over 100 metres butterfly and freestyle events.

Aaron Skinner and Ashleigh Pettigrew face a busy schedule covering all strokes in the category for swimmers with a disability.

Lannie Miller and Grace Tanner are also contesting all events in the 11 years age group, while Amy Black has qualified for the 13-14 years 100-metre backstroke.

While for some club members it will be a new experience, Grace will back up at the Victorian Age Shortcourse Swimming Championships on September 5 and 6. She will be joined at the state titles by Racheal Brodie, 14, who is not competing this weekend.

Warrnambool Swimming Club is sending a team of 30 to Wangaratta, with a mix of novice and state qualified competitors.

Head coach Jayson Lamb is pleased to have Laura Riordan, 10, Sean Darcy, 11, Matthew Stevenson, 11, and Bill Mibus, 10, making their first appearance at country titles.

German exchange student Sina Jungkunz is also representing the swimming club for the first time in Wangaratta.

Lamb said Brittney Berger, 14, Adam Barnes, 14, and Samantha McPhee, 17, had the chance to hone their competitive edge leading up to state age titles.

"It will be a good opportunity for a club building weekend," he said.