FDC Law have once again shown their commitment to supporting development of sport in Frome by presenting a cheque for sponsorship to Frome Swimming Club president Chris Witt.
Partners James Hollis and David Gazzard had great pleasure in cementing the relationship for its 15th year. The valuable support the law firm provides for the club pays for courses to help train their volunteers to deliver a quality swimming programme. From the youngest taking their first steps in the water to the senior squad swimming in championship events, every member benefits from their generosity.
Recently, Frome’s regional youth qualifiers took to the pool to compete against the best in the South West. Those competing were James Godwin, Antony Lockyer, Emily Dixon, Laura Chumbley and Dean Ridley.
Godwin brought home the best result after improving lifetime best times throughout the weekend. He knocked an impressive one minute 13 seconds off his time for 1500m and was awarded silver for his effort, then adding a 7th place in the 400m front crawl. Dean Ridley finished 9th and was first reserve for the 50m breast stroke final. Dean was over the moon to be back in competition and pleased with his result only missing the final by 100th of a second!
Other results were Laura Chumbley placed 27th in the 100m breast stroke, Emily Dixon 20th in the 50m backstroke and Antony Lockyer 11th in the 100 front crawl. Club coach Karen Pinniger said, “I am pleased with the results, in 2009 the club only had three qualifiers and this year we had five swimming in more events. The swimmers’ hard work and dedication is paying dividends.”
Hot on the heels of this success, the club’s age group swimmers took to the Pyramids pool at Exeter for a level 2 open meet. This was a last chance opportunity for the age group swimmers to make the qualifying standard for the regional age group championships.
The club did superbly finishing 4th overall in the top visiting club standings. The team of swimmers set 52 Pbs and took home 38 Top three medals. Those medaling were Alice, Emily and Henry Dixon, James Godwin, Charlie Head, Ryan Hann, Tatiana Hooper, Josh Jobbins, Caleb Richards, Kameron Smith, Keira-Leigh Underhill and Lucy White. Rachel Palarm, Charlie Head and Henry Dixon have qualified for the Regional Age Group Championships to be held in June at Millfield School.
Coach Karen said, “In 2009 the club had no regional age group qualifiers and this year we have three, there were many who narrowly missed out and I believe these swimmers will make the mark in 2011.”
Not only in swimming have the club been performing. The junior water polo team, fielding a particularly young side with some very new faces, had a home match against the Welsh Wanderers on Sunday evening, 16th May.
Frome were off to a quick start with a goal by Tom Coombs in the first minute. The Welsh team kept coming back at us and at the end of first quarter we were 5-4 up. The second quarter belonged to Stephen Matthews with all the next 5 goals being scored by him ably assisted by some good defending from Tom Coombs, Ryan Hann and Edward Hooper. Cameron Miller had a great game in goal saving several one on ones and making some excellent long passes which led to goals. Dan Brown, after all his hard work in front of goal, eventually getting three really good points.
Now we had a bit of a cushion it was time for the younger members to show their stuff. Chris Office doing plenty of swimming up front looking for a goal, Anna Palarm and Lucy Greenstreet making several good breaks resulting in good efforts on goal and Edward Hooper finding the net for his first competitive goal. Well done to the younger players who weren’t fazed by playing against older bigger players with Fergus and Ailsa Williams and Callum Oliphant showing plenty of effort and fighting spirit. The final score was Frome Juniors 16, Welsh Wanderers 8.
If you would like to join Frome Swimming Club please visit www. fromeswimming.btik.com.
