Pietermaritzburg, South Africa – Seals Swimming Club will once again be represented on the international stage after Alani Ferreira and Guy Brooks were officially selected to represent South Africa at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, this July.
The selection marks the second Commonwealth Games for both swimmers, having each made their Games debut at Birmingham 2022. Four years later, they return to the South African team with greater experience and the opportunity to once again compete against the world’s best. Their selection continues Seals Swimming Club’s proud tradition of producing athletes capable of performing on the international stage and reinforces the club’s reputation as one of South Africa’s leading high-performance swimming programmes.
For Alani Ferreira, selection represents another significant milestone in an already distinguished international career. She will be one of only four Para swimmers selected to represent Team South Africa in Glasgow.
What makes Ferreira’s achievement particularly remarkable is the challenge she has had to overcome. Much of her international success has come in the breaststroke events, however those races are not offered for her SB12 classification at the Commonwealth Games. Instead, she has had to redirect her focus towards the 50m and 100m Freestyle, demonstrating exceptional versatility, resilience and determination to earn her place on the national team.
Her selection is a reward for months of hard work and adapting to a programme specifically designed around events outside her traditional strengths.
Guy Brooks secured his place on Team South Africa following outstanding performances at the 2026 Mombela SA National Aquatic Senior Championships, the official Commonwealth Games qualifying event. Brooks claimed silver medals in both the 100m and 200m Freestyle, performances that earned him selection in both individual freestyle events for Glasgow. In addition to his individual races, Brooks is expected to be a key member of South Africa’s Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay, while also providing valuable depth as a potential option for the Men’s Medley Relay should team selections require it.
Having recently completed his studies in the United States, Brooks has returned home to continue training under Coach Wayne Riddin as he prepares for his second Commonwealth Games before turning his attention towards qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Ferreira will also continue her partnership with Riddin as she pursues qualification for what would be her fourth Paralympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. Should she achieve that milestone, it is believed Ferreira and Riddin would become the first South African Para swimmer and coach combination to attend four Paralympic Games together—an extraordinary achievement reflecting more than a decade of sustained excellence, commitment and trust.
For Head Coach Wayne Riddin, the dual selection represents another chapter in a coaching career spanning more than three decades, during which he has guided swimmers from beginner level through to Olympic, Paralympic, Commonwealth Games and World Championship representation.
The selection of Ferreira and Brooks also highlights the strength of Seals Swimming Club’s high-performance programme, which continues to develop athletes capable of competing at the very highest level while inspiring the next generation of swimmers coming through the club. As Team South Africa prepares for Glasgow, the entire Seals family will proudly stand behind two athletes who have earned their places through years of discipline, perseverance and commitment. Everyone at Seals Swimming Club congratulates Alani Ferreira and Guy Brooks on their selection and wishes them every success as they once again wear the green and gold with pride at the Commonwealth Games.
From Birmingham to Glasgow, the journey continues—and the entire Seals family will be cheering them on every stroke of the way.
