Following on from their success at Somerset County Championships, a select few of the Youth Age swimmers qualified for the recent South West Regional Championships.
Blighted by injury two were forced to withdraw leaving Robert Duffy swimming for Frome in his first championships, and Bryany Cornish, Charlie Head, Henry Dixon and Chandler Saer, Frome members swimming with Aquae Sulis Performance club.
All stepped up to the blocks and performed well at Plymouth life centre, with Charlie Head (16yrs) awarded silver in 200m Breaststroke and bronze in the 400m Individual Medley, Henry Dixon (15yrs) winning bronze in the 400fc, silver in the 200m butterfly and gold for the 400m Individual Medley.
Coach Susie Hann said, “It was great to be at the Championships seeing how the club network with Aquae Sulis is really working and having the opportunity to work alongside their team is fantastic for Frome.”
It was then the turn of the Junior swimmers to descend upon Oxley Pool in Sherborne on Saturday 9th May, to participate in a friendly swimming gala with Yeovil and Weston-Super-Mare swimming clubs. With Individual and relay events, swimmers aged from eight to 12 years old were among the teams of new, novice and experienced competitors where the key aim for this gala was to have fun.
Coaching team Sharon Smith and Toni Derrick accompanied 28 swimmers who took part in 45 events with one eight year old, eight nine year olds, eight 10 year olds, five 11 year olds and six 12 year olds-some of whom have never competed before.
The true team spirit of Frome shone through as each of the more experienced swimmers supported, helped and encouraged their team mates to enjoy the whole experience of being able to participate in their first ‘race’ environment. Coach Sharon Smith was delighted and proud of each and every swimmer saying that “everyone swam brilliantly.”
The event was held to enable younger or less experienced swimmers to enjoy the atmosphere of competition whilst being supported in a nurturing environment, with some of the older swimmers helping the coaches and team managers.
Chloe Derrick, Kameron Smith and Amy Gordon, who are more experienced competitive swimmers from the club showed other skills by helping the teams by co-ordinating them for events and providing reassurance to those who were a little nervous.
The swimmers cheered each other on in the relay and individual events. All strokes were swam and some medley relays too where teams are made up on individuals all swimming a specific stroke within the sequence of the relay race.
So much to learn and remember, the first time racers were exceptional. They showed courage, determination and their confidence was growing throughout the events. Frome Swimming Club coaches, team managers, volunteers and other swimmers thought the event was a great success with some personal best times achieved too.
One parent commented after the gala, “All the swimmers can be very proud of themselves. We love Frome swimming club. The coaches are fantastic and are so supportive. All your efforts are really appreciated.”
The swimmers were joyful even if a little exhausted by the end of the events. The excellence and enjoyment elements of swimming were certainly evident and it looks as though Frome Swimming Club will be nurturing the next generation of competitive swimmers.
Looking ahead it is the turn of the Age Groups swimmers (11-14) to swim in the Regional Championships, so the club wishes all Frome swimmers swimming with Frome and Aquae Sulis good luck – Swim Fast!
For further information about Frome Swimming Club visit the web site www.fromeswimming.weebly.com
