Next month, Gosford City Council's Peninsula Leisure Centre at Woy Woy becomes the first-ever Central Coast aquatic venue to host the Trans Tasman Cup -- the premium event for Australia's and New Zealand's junior swimmers.

Woy Woy joins Sydney and Canberra in hosting the Cup's six meet touring event running from July 2-8. 

With the Peninsula Leisure Centre having a seating capacity of 500 and all events open to the public at $2.20 a seat, the Cup will be a financial bonanza for local accommodation venues, restaurants, shops and tourist attractions. 

Beginning on July 2 at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, the Cup then moves to the Peninsula Leisure Centre for July 4-5 before finishing at Canberra's Australian Institute of Sport aquatic facility on July 7-8.

A total of 42 Australian swimmers -- 25 boys and 17 girls -- will battle out the Cup's tri-series format against New Zealand. Sixteen year old Kieran Casey from Mingara Aquatic is the sole Central Coast representative. 

The Cup is an important stepping stone for young swimmers eager to make Australia's and New Zealand's Olympic and Commonwealth Games teams.  

National youth coach, Leigh Nugent, said the concept of the Cup is to expose young swimmers to the rigours and stresses of senior international competition. 

Australia's 2007 World Championship Team members Grant Brits, Danni Miatke, Kylie Palmers, Stephanie Williams, Leith Brodie, Ephraim Hannant, Andrew Lauterstein, Kenrick Monk, Bronte Barratt and Stephanie Rice all competed in the Trans Tasman Cup in 2003.