Last week, 40 swimmers from Nunawading Swimming Club boarded a bus and headed north.

Eight swimmers disembarked at Sydney for the Olympic selection trials, while 32 continued to Brisbane for the age national championships.

Ferntree Gully's Matt Armfield, 19, was feeling confident before heading off for the trials.

His father, Damien, said the swimmer had a setback last April when he injured his left eye in a gym accident.

Ranked 5th in Victoria for backstroke and butterfly (both 50 metres) in the open division, Armfield was well placed to make the semi-finals in both strokes at the trials, his father said.

"He's pretty dedicated, he does 10 pool sessions and three gym sessions every week. He probably won't make the Beijing Olympics; his aim is for 2012."

NSC has been the top performing club in the state for the past three years.

Club president Malcolm Moore expects this year will be no different.

"They're ready to fire and have been through a strict qualification process."