HATFIELD SWIMMING CLUB NEWSLETTER Volume No 6

May 2014 HATFIELD SWIMMING CLUB NEWSLETTER Volume No 6

Message from Ian Wright Director of Swimming and Head Coach

The past few weeks have involved a series of important competitions for the Club and many of our performance swimmers. You will find reports for most of these within this newsletter and I'm delighted to acknowledge that many

of the results were extremely good.

As you will know, the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow is the big swimming event of the year for everyone in British Swimming and promises to be a great spectacle and showcase of the sport in a fantastic venue. Hatfield is fortunate to be more involved than most in the Games due to the fact that we already have four individual qualifiers for three different countries - plus hopes that one other swimmer will also still be selected.

British Champion Adam Brown was announced in the England team this past week, whilst Katie Armitage will be racing for Scotland in their home Games. In addition, Amarah & Elinah Phillip will become the first ever swimmers from the British Virgin Islands to compete in the Commonwealth Games, a fact that will have a very significant positive impact on swimming in that country. It's also great news and exciting times ahead for our Head Age Group Coach Samir Ahmed as he has been chosen to accompany the Phillip girls at the Games as the coach for BVI.

In other key news of the past month, we were delighted to see our US based life member Adam Brown win two titles (50 & 100m Freestyle) at the British Championships and it was great for the Club that Levi Lucas made it two Hatfield swimmers in the top 4 of the 50 Free, only 0.4 behind Adam's winning time. Also in great form at the British Championships was Martyn Walton, whose swims have earned him a spot on the Great Britain team for this year's European Junior Championships in July in the Netherlands.

Nico Campbell (swimming for Jamaica) and the Phillip girls produced some fantastic results at the CARIFTA (Caribbean) Swimming Championships in Aruba, and I thoroughly enjoyed my first ever experience of an Arena League National Final in Cardiff, where Hatfield finished a very proud and creditable 5th place overall, two positions higher than last year!

Many of the leading swimmers in the club will now take a competitive break (although training carries on every day as normal) as we enter the hectic GCSE and 'A' Level exam season. However, there is still much to look forward to with our younger swimmers with their version of the East Region Championships (11-14 years) coming up in June, as well as various League matches such as Peanuts and the M11 Leagues.

One point I'd like to bring up is a question that was raised with me recently by a couple of parents. I was asked about the importance and purpose of the League events that we compete in and I thought it would be useful to clarify my thinking.

Message from Ian cont’d

All the League events we contest are very important team events for the club, where swimmers get a unique opportunity to race for points for the overall team result, rather than an individual outcome. When we arrive at a League event, whatever the make up of the team, we always want to race as hard and tough as possible, achieving the best result we can that day, with as much cheering and support as possible. Whilst winning League matches is great for all involved, we will not always win, and it is not the primary focus as far as the club is concerned.

League events are about so much more than topping the points score. First and foremost, they are (most of them anyway) a chance for swimmers to have a fun and exciting swimming/racing experience in a safe and friendly team environment. Whilst individual swimmers in League matches might feel some pressure, we never try to put them under pressure to perform. We want them to enjoy it no matter what the result!

League matches are fantastic opportunities for swimmers (especially young ones) to gain confidence about competing and a great chance for them to put into practice what they have been working on in training, without the outcome being about them alone. Sometimes the swimmers get it wrong, they have a bad swim, they don't get the skills right, they might even get disqualified or be the cause of a relay disqualification - all of that is OKAY! It's all part of the learning process for bigger and tougher challenges further ahead.

Whilst we try and would like to win all the Leagues we enter, we won't do! Other Clubs try hard too and Hatfield does not have a monopoly on the results. The vast majority of our 11/under swimmers are not training any more frequently or better than the 11/under swimmers in other clubs. In fact most other clubs in the area are probably over-emphasising early success, sadly at the expense of greater long term development. At Hatfield we have our eyes firmly on the long game - we are preparing swimmers to be successful senior athletes once they are in late teens or have left school. That's partly why we won 20 more gold medals than any other club in the East Region at the recent Regional Youth Championships, and why we regularly feature in the top club rankings at the National Youth & Open Championships. It's also why we are boasting Commonwealth Games and other international swimmers, and those around us are not.

We like doing well, but we don't and won't always field the best possible teams in Leagues. If we do that then for the most part it will be the same swimmers selected time and time again, with little opportunity for others to shine. We will use League events to give lots of swimmers a chance to race, grow in confidence, and feel the satisfaction that comes with being part of a strong spirited junior sporting team. Sometimes the fastest swimmer might be left at home in order to give others their moment. However, some swimmers will inevitably be selected more often than others, we are looking for a balance, and it's just the way it goes. Remember some swimmers make themselves available and are more keen to compete than others too!

So if we do win our League events, that's great, but if we don't, that's OKAY too. It's the fun, the learning, the excitement, the enjoyment and the all round experience that counts most of all. We do want to be a Team Above All, but Above All We Are a Team!

Ian Wright

Meet Report

Scottish Nationals April 3rd – 6th Venue Tollcross Poll, Glasgow

Ian Wright journeyed with a team consisting of Katie Armitage, Ethan Lamb, Rory McMonagle, Katie McQuaid, Amarah and Elinah Phillip and Fiona Thornton to the North.

Rory initiated Hatfield’s contention by swimming in the 100m freestyle coming in at 55:35, Katie McQuaid swam 2:15:10 in the 200m freestyle and Fiona achieved a PB in the 400IM with a time of 5:29:16

The Second day saw Katie McQuaid achieve a time of 1:18:13 in the 100m breaststroke heats. Katie Armitage secured a position for 3rd place in the A final with a powerful swim in the 100m breaststroke with an accomplished time of 1:10:17. Rory posted a time of 1:00:06 in the heats for the 100m backstroke attaining a position in the 1st reserve for the B final. Ethan swam 2:34 in the 200m breaststroke heats and Rory had a time of 27:35 in the 50m fly heats.

In the 100m breaststroke final, Katie Armitage achieved not only a PB of 1:09:43 but secured 3rd place and a swim time inside the Commonwealth Games Consideration!

The Third day saw the following :- Katie Armitage securing 5th place in the 200m The Fourth and Final Day of the Scottish breaststroke, Katie McQuaid 2:50 in the 200m Champs saw Katie Armitage set 2 PBs in the breaststroke, Fiona 4:50 in the 400m freestyle and 50m breaststroke achieving 4th place in the Ethan 1:12 in the 100m breaststroke. Elinah and final with a time of 32:28. Amarah gained valuable experience with solid swims in Kate McQuaid and Elinah Phillip both posted the 50m fly heats. Rory achieved another PB with time times of 1:02 in the 100m freestyle and Rory of 2:09:1 in the 200m backstroke B final. set a time of 29:1 in the 50m backstroke.

The National British Championships April 10th – 15th Venue Tollcross Pool, Glasgow

Ten Hatfield swimmers took part in the British National Swimming Championships in an all important meet that was also the backdrop for trials for many International events including the Commonwealth Games, the European Championships (senior and junior) and the IOC Youth Olympics.

Adam Brown the club’s leading performer proved his calibre by securing The British Title in both the 50m and 100m freestyle events. These swims were enough to secure the US Auburn University graduate a place in the England Commonwealth Games Team held in July.

Meet Report The British Champs Cont’d

Levi Lucas swam a strong heat and achieved a Career Best semi-final. This enabled Levi to join Adam in the final of the 50m freestyle. A first class swim saw Levi close the lead and he had his best ever finish at this level of meet with a PB of 22:67

Katie Armitage our rising Breaststroke Star having already had a busy week competing was back in action and successfully confirmed her position in the Scotland Team for the Commonwealth Games. Katie came 5th in the 100m and 7th in the 50m breaststroke

Martyn Walton still only 16 years old demonstrated his future potential with a series of admirable swims across the six day championship. Martyn rose to the challenge of the senior heats and was able to race in the junior (18 and under) finals. Here, he captured two silver and a bronze medal, a 6th place finish and a host of PB’s.

Martyn proved his credentials by securing the necessary qualifying standard in both the 200m and 400m freestyle events in this case silver in both. Martyn also achieved a bronze in the 200IM and 6th place in the 100m freestyle. With this great achievement, Martyn has been selected for the European Junior Championships in July this year held in Dordrecht, Holland

Jessica Jackson recorded a season’s best in the 50m and 100m freestyle. Charlotte Reid and Pippa Shuttleworth were just a fraction outside their best times in the 50m breaststroke and 800m freestyle respectively.

Nico Campbell, a strong contender for the Jamaican Commonwealth Team, was pleased to set a new best time in the 200m freestyle. His place will hopefully be confirmed over the coming weeks.

Ben Purcell, in his first race at a meet of this level, although disappointed with his time gained valuable experience in competing in the 200m breaststroke.

Caleb Hughes, who has enjoyed success in his junior career, missed out on final spots in his first year in the senior ranks. Caleb will return later in the season for International selection when the Open Water season gets underway. Meet Report cont’d

The CARIFTA Swimming Championships April 22nd Venue Savaneta, Aruba

CARIFTA is an annual age group aquatic championship for the Caribbean and has provided a championship platform for swimmers since 1985 much like its counterpart for track and field The CARIFTA Games. The event is held under the auspices of CANOC – the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees.

The 2014 CARIFTA Swimming Championships pits the best juniors in Caribbean Swimming against each other in the 11-12, 13-14 and 15-17 age groups. The meet took place in Savaneta, Aruba and served as a qualifying event for both the Youth Olympic Games and The Central American and Caribbean Swimming Championships.

Hatfield were honoured to send three contenders to this event. Nico Campbell represented Jamaica, while Elinah and Amarah Phillip represented The British Virgin Islands.

Amarah had a difficult start to the meet but progressed quickly and showed good form to set new best times on the 50m and 100m freestyle 29:18 and 1:04:72 respectively.

Elinah now proudly holds the top spot as Great Britain’s 14 year old sprint freestyle swimmer a position once held by Emma England of Plymouth Leander. On top of this, Elinah had a podium finish for each of her events and achieved three new National Qualifying times. Both of Elinah’s times for the 50m freestyle and butterfly are now Senior Women’s Qualifying times and her 100m freestyle time of 1:00:72 is an ASA Age Group qualifying time.

Nico was in great form, competing in the Boys 15-17 age category, winning five medals:- silver in the 200m freestyle with a time of 1:55.22, bronze in both the 100m and 1500m freestyle with times of 53:11 and 17:03:22 respectively. He was also part of Jamaica's gold winning quartet in the 4x200m freestyle relay and collected a third bronze as part of the 4x100m Medley Relay. In addition, Nico was placed 4th in the 100m fly, 8th in the 50m fly and 10th in the 50m freestyle.

The National Arena League Final April 27th Venue Cardiff International Pool

Hatfield took a team of 38 swimmers to the prestigious Arena National Swimming League Final, swimming’s equivalent of the FA Cup Final. The competition see the countries ten leading teams (as decided from three regional qualifying rounds) compete head to head for points in a two hour contest. The pace was frantic, the noise was loud, the tension was high, the quality of racing was intense. Many Olympians were in attendance including Olympic Gold Medallist and World Record holder Ruta Meilutyte of Plymouth Leander.

This meet is an opportunity for the younger members of the squad to rub shoulders with their older more senior international peers.

The athletes are divided by gender across four different age groups.

The scoring opportunity is equal across the board, regardless of age or gender. Meet Report The National Arena League cont’d

The meet consisted of fifty events. Hatfield recorded fifteen top three finishes including four winning swims. Reese Housden age 12 bagged two of these with dominating swims in the 50m backstroke and breaststroke, the latter with a championship record of 35:31. Reese along with Tobi Laguda, Nathan Wankling and James Raynor took first place in the boys 12 and under freestyle relay. Thirteen year old Nathan Hughes was the other champion taking the number one position in the boys 13 and under 100m freestyle with a time of 57:52

The competition concluded with the thrilling Open Age 6x50m freestyle relay. Both Hatfield teams performed incredibly well with the girls taking 5th place and the boys coming in a magnificent 2nd with the Levi Lucas our recent British National finalist taking the head of the field when swimming the lead out leg.

With all points collated, Hatfield came in a highly creditable fifth place. Victory went to Plymouth Leander followed by City of Leeds, Stockport Metro and Guildford City. It was an amazing effort from the Team in Pink.

Easter Meets April 18th – 20th Venues Sportspark, UAE, Norwich, K2 Leisure Centre, Crawley and The Wales National Pool

The three day Norwich meet saw many swimmers achieve Regional Qualifying times and a few agonisingly shy of making National cuts.

Congratulations to Cole James who secured his National time in Crawley.

Gemma and Harriet Hanson made the trip to Swansea for the Welsh National Age and Youth Championships with excellent performances. This is Gemma’s first year in this competition and has gained some invaluable experience. Harriet broke the 1:10 barrier for the first time in the 100m butterfly to set a new best time of 1:09:29

Competition Calendar 2014

May

17 Peanuts League Round 1 Borehamwood / Hemel Hempstead Selected Team 18 M11 League Round 2 Selected Team 24-25 Team Luton Last Chance Open Meet (LC) Luton TBC 31 Harrow / Hatfield Duel Meet Bushey Grove June

7-8 ASA East Region Age Championships Norwich Qualifiers 14-15 ASA East Region Age Championships Norwich Qualifiers 14 Peanuts League Round 2 TBC Selected Team 14 Great North Swim (Open Water) TBC OW Swimmers 21 Great East Swim (Open Water) TBC OW Swimmers 24-28 British International Open Meet Manchester Qualifiers 29 M11 League Round 3 TBC Selected Team July

5 Bishop Stortford LC Meet Luton Qualifiers 12-13 Hatfield SC Summer End of Season Meet HSV 12 ASA East Open Water Championships TBC OW Swimmers 12 Peanuts League Round 3 TBC Selected Team 12 Dunstable Splash Night Dunstable 24-29 Commonwealth Games Glasgow Qualifiers

August

30-3 ASA Age Championships Sheffield Qualifiers 4 ASA Open Water Championships (Age and Youth) Sheffield Qualifiers 5-10 ASA Youth and Senior Championships Sheffield Qualifiers 18-24 European Championships TBC Qualifiers 16-28 IOC Youth Olympic Games Nanjing, China Qualifiers 28-30 European Open Water Championships TBC Qualifiers 10-24 Main Club Summer Break – dates TBC 11 Aug – 6 Sept National Squad Summer Break – dates TBC

www.hatfieldswimmingclub.org.uk

Hatfield Summer Meet – 12th/13th July 2014

Due to a combination of junior meets on this weekend, the meet will be split into two days to ensure both maximal participation for the younger swimmers as well as allowing a performance meet for the older swimmers.

Saturday 12th – This will be a level 2 two-session meet operating as a heats session in the afternoon and a finals session in the evening. The Saturday will be for 13 years and over swimmers.

Sunday 13th – This will be level 3 two-session meet for 9-14 year olds. It will have shorter distance events on all strokes. The information for this is now on the Hatfield club website

HATFIELD SWIMMING CLUB BBQ Contact Information Saturday 19th July

More details to follow Ian Wright

Director of Swimming and Head Coach [email protected] Monies Raised to date Samir Ahmed Easyfundraising £458 Head of Age Group Swimming [email protected] Thank you for all your help in raising funds for Hatfield Swimming Club. Kevin Pickard Head Coach of Junior and Varsity Swimming Remember to click on the link via our [email protected] website Ann Quinn www.hatfieldswimmingclub.org.uk Club Secretary [email protected]

#PinkPanthers #pinkarmy #UHSwim