Swim Wales E-Newsletter
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Welcome to Swim Wales E-newsletter 'Making Waves in Wales'
June 2016
Making Waves in Wales is designed to inform and keep you updated on all news relating to Welsh Aquatics.
Please send us any feedback, suggestions or ideas as well as any articles or information you would like including in the next edition of Making Waves in Wales
LATEST NEWS
Swim Wales 'Finalist' in Sport Business Wales Awards
Swim Wales have been shortlisted in this year's Sports Business Wales Awards in the' Governing Body of the Year' category. The awards are produced by the creators of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards and the Entrepreneur Wales Awards, and will culminate in a gathering of 300 senior sports and business leaders at the Principality Stadium, Thursday 10th November 2016 - the closing event for Cardiff Business Week.
The judging process itself brings together an exciting combination of industry experts and public voting, with our judging panel including Joe Calzaghe CBE, Martyn Phillips, CEO of the Welsh Rugby Union, and Christian Malcolm, former Olympian Athlete, amongst others.
Mare Nostrum Series
The competition provided a real challenge to the team. With over 40 nations competing and numerous World and Olympic champions in action, the competition provided a world class competition environment.
Standout performances in Canet included:
Jazz Carlin (competing for GB): 2 golds (400m and 800m Freestyle)
Dan Jervis: 5th 1500m freestyle
Calum Jarvis: 2nd B final 200m freestyle
Harriet Jones: B finalist 100m and 200m butterfly
Harriet West: B finalist 50m and 100m backstroke + 100m butterfly
Rebecca Sutton: B finalist 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke
Standout performances in Barcelona included:
Jazz Carlin: 2 golds (400m and 800m freestyle)
Chloe Tutton: 2 Silvers (100m and 200m breaststroke)
Georgia Davies: 2 golds (50m and 100m backstroke)
Ieuan Lloyd: bronze 200m IM
Swim Safe is coming Wales to this summer!
We are looking for volunteers to help with the running of the events – various roles are available from promotion to information desk, bookings and making tea and coffee!! So if you know anyone who has a passion for swimming and water safety, enjoys interacting with people, being outdoors and having a great time whilst delivering important water safety messaging please forward this information to them.
Venue: Barry Island
Dates: 28/29 July and 12/13/14 August
People do not have to commit to all 5 days, 1 would be fantastic!
For more information and application form please see attached.
Bookings now open as Swim Safe comes to Barry Island
Bookings are now open for Swim Safe, the FREE programme of outdoor swimming and water safety sessions for children, which will be coming to Whitmore Bay in Barry Island this summer. The programme will run on the beach between 28 July–29 July and 12–14 August.
Brand new to Barry this year, the programme has so far taught over 11,600 children in the UK how to safely enjoy being by the beach. Practical, interactive, educational and fun, each session includes a land-based safety lesson with a lifeguard and in-water tuition with a swimming teacher. Wetsuits, swimming hats and a free goody bag with t-shirt are all provided.
Delivered in partnership between Swim Wales, the ASA (Amateur Swimming Association) and the RNLI charity (Royal National Lifeboat Institution), Swim Safe is perfect for families living near or visiting South Wales this summer holiday.
Last year RNLI lifeguards aided 530 people on beaches in South Wales, saving three lives. While most of the incidents were minor, it’s important to remember that being in and around the sea is a very different environment to that of an indoor swimming pool.
Hanna Guise, Swim Safe Coordinator at Whitmore Bay said: ‘There are all sorts of environmental factors to consider when you’re swimming outdoors, and it’s important that children know how to call for help if they get into trouble.
‘We’re really looking forward to bringing Swim Safe to Barry Island. We’ve got enough spaces for a 500 young people to come and learn some really important life skills, and it’s completely free.
‘We would also be keen to hear from anyone keen to help during the Swim Safe sessions by volunteering.’
Swim Safe is a growing programme which is also taking place at several other locations across England and Wales this summer including the Bude, the Isle of Man, Plas Menai National Outdoor Centre, South Shields, Penzance, Poole, Scarborough, Jersey, the Isles of Scilly, the Lake District and two locations in Plymouth.
Parents can book their children onto a Swim Safe session now at www.Swimming.org/SwimSafe or simply come along on the day.
Anyone keen on volunteering to help deliver the sessions should contact Hanna Guise, Swim Safe Coordinator at Whitmore Bay, on 07824 324654.
Picture credited to RNLI/Nathan Williams.
Welsh Coach has hugely successful 2016 Warrior Games
Emily Griffiths, head coach of the South Wales Titans Para-Swimming Academy, is returning home after a very successful 12 days as lead coach for the UK Warrior Games Swimming team competing at the United States Military Academy, Westpoint, New York.
The Warrior Games was the initial inspiration for the hugely successful Invictus Games, with teams of injured service men and women, competing across 7 sports, from the US army, US air force, US navy and US marines against a joined UK Military team.
The UK Swimming team will be returning home having had a hugely successful games, winning 14 medals, 2 of which are Gold and 2 New Warrior Games Records
Emily, who has coached Swim Wales’ funded Regional Para-Swimming academy for 2 years, was also the assistant coach for the 2016 UK Invictus Games swimming team that competed in Orlando, Florida last month.
From all at Swim Wales, a massive congratulations to Emily and the UK Warrior Games Team
The City of Newport Swimming and Water Polo Club
The City of Newport Swimming and Water Polo Club is looking forward to an exciting few months with the Summer championships in July and August. After a successful British Championships and Para Championships the City of Newport is preparing to build upon that success. Newport had 12 swimmers qualify for British Nationals in Sheffield in the last week of July, including 2 relay teams, the Boys 17 & over 4x100 Freestyle and 4x100 Medley. This is double the amount who qualified from Newport last year which just shows how far the club has come in one year.
In addition to the 12 swimmers at British Nationals Newport has 39 swimmers qualified for the Welsh Summer Open meet in Swansea in the first week of August. Making this an important time for the 51 Newport swimmers preparing to race in the summer to cap off a brilliant season.
In addition to success at British Championships and Para Championships in Glasgow and an unprecedented number of swimmers qualifying for British Summer Nationals, Newport's junior swimmers won a local junior league (the Wyvern League) which includes teams from Torfaen, Ledbury, Abertillery, Blaenavon and Chepstow.
We would like to congratulate all the Newport Swimmers for their success and hard work this season so far and wish all them luck for the rest of the season.
Open Water - Great East Swim
Ioan Evans from Bridgend County comes 1st in 14/15 age category and 9th overall in the Great East Swim. Following his success, Dale has been selected for Team GB for the World Open Water swimming champs in Hoorn in July. Ioan has had an exceptional year and has deserved his place on the GB team.
Swansea's Tom Allen and Cameron Croot came 5th and 7th over all respectively.
Well done and congratulations to all who took part!
Swim Wales Summer Open Champs set to welcome Rio swimmer Sascha Kindred
Swim Wales will welcome six times Paralympian Sascha Kindred to the 2016 Swim Wales Summer Open Championships. Sascha, who is married to Welsh Paralympic Swimmer and 2012 Silver Medalist Nyree Kindred, will be using this as part of his preparations for the Paralympic Games in Rio.
Sascha is one of the greatest Paralympic athletes that Great Britain has produced, with his achievements including:
- 53 medals at major championships
- 6 x Paralympic Gold Medals
- 9 x World Championship Golds
- 11 x European Championship Golds
He will be competing in the 200IM at the Summer Open Championships being held at Wales National Pool in the first week of August
Diving – British Championships 2016. Ponds Forge, Sheffield
14 year old Welsh diver Aiden Heslop competed at the British Diving Championships 2016 in Ponds Forge Sheffield.
Competing in the Open age group against senior internationals including Tom Daley, Aiden produced a series of outstanding dives to finish in 6th place in the final of the 10m platform event.
'Parents in Sport' week - Play your part!
***Competition Time!***
Swim Wales are supporting 'Parents in Sport Week' which runs from 3rd to 9th October 2016
The week will focus on how parents can greatly influence a child’s experience in sport through their actions, both positive and negative.
In the build-up and during parent’s week 2016, we hope sports organisations make sure the message regarding a parent's or carer's role within sport focuses on the positive impact that they have on their child or children.
All too often we only hear negative stories about extreme poor behaviour from the pool-side. This negative parental behaviour takes away from a child’s experience of sport or their desire to continue participating within sport, as they no longer see taking part in sport as fun.
We want help from sports organisations to raise awareness of the crucial role parents have in helping a child reach their full potential.
3 key outcomes
The key outcomes that Parents in Sport Week aims to achieve are:
- to encourage sports organisations and clubs to promote the positive role parents play in helping children reach their full potential
- to empower parents by sharing information regarding key roles they can do as a sports parent in supporting their child’s participation, success and fun, and therefore retaining a child’s interest in sport
- to assist coaches and officials to understand the crucial role parents have in a child’s participation and continued involvement in sport
Competition
We are looking for your children/young members to design a poster to represent 'Parents in Sport' week in Wales
The winner will receive a signed Swim Cap and T-shirt signed by two of our Welsh Performance swimmers who have been selected as part of Team GB for the Olympic Games in Rio this August, Ieuan Lloyd and European Medallist & British Champion Chloe Tutton.
Their winning poster will also be used for the campaign in Wales and sent out to all Swim Wales affiliated clubs promoting 'Parents in Sport Week' along with promoting the campaign through Swim Wales social media channels.
All entries must be submitted by 12 noon on 26th August 2016 via email to Zita Cameron HERE or post to FAO Zita Cameron, Swim Wales, WNPS, Sketty Lane, Swansea. SA2 8QG
During the campaign week we will be asking all clubs to share with Swim Wales their stories and good news messages relating to ' Parents in Sport Week', this includes any activities and fun events clubs organise.
We regret we are unable to return any entries.
More information about 'Parents in Sport Week' can be found at: www.cpsu.org.uk
Future Olympians welcomed to National Junior Camp
British Swimming will host a national camp for the country’s best junior swimmers in a new concept that has been developed in conjunction with the ASA, Scottish Swimming and Swim Wales.
The camp, which will be held at the Aberdeen Sports Village from 15 – 18 September, will see athletes split into gender and stroke-specific groups as they get the opportunity to come together at the beginning of a new sporting quadrennial.
A total of 80 junior swimmers (40 females aged 14-17 years and 40 males aged 15-18 year) are being given the chance to experience a national squad environment as the sport enters the Tokyo cycle.
The technical focus of the four days will be around starting and turning skills, whilst the camp will also include athlete profiling and education sessions. The selected swimmers will work with some of the country’s leading coaches and support staff from across the home nations.
British Swimming’s Head of Performance Pathway Tim Jones said: “This is the first time in a long period that we have embarked on bringing such a large group of junior swimmers together for one consolidated camp. At the start of the Tokyo cycle it is a great opportunity to be as inclusive as possible with a group of athletes who potentially see the 2020 & 2024 Olympic Games as longer term goals.
“The decision to split the camp by gender is in recognition of the differing needs of both groups of athletes, ensuring the best environment for each to develop. Whilst using just one facility, the groups will be accommodated, managed and coached separately. Starts and turns is an obvious technical focus for us and an area where all British athletes can make significant gains”
“We have already received some fantastic support from the people of Aberdeen, and this will be an exciting adventure for many of our young athletes”.
Swim Wales Open Water Champs
Swim Wales will be holding it's 2nd Open Water Championships incorporating the Welsh National Championships on 2nd July at Bryn Bach Park, Merthyr Rd, Tredegar.
The 2016 Swim Wales Open Water Squad will be selected from results at the 2016 Swim Wales Open Water Championships. An Open Water Squad will be selected to help with the Development of Open Water training and racing. Details of training and racing opportunities will be released once the squad has been selected.
Come along to show the athletes your support. First race starts at 10.15am.
City of Cardiff Swimming Club
UK SCHOOL GAMES
Congratulations to City of Cardiff Swimmers who have been selected to represent Wales at the UK School Games on 1-4 September:
Swimmers are:
Bethan E, Marnie B, Catrin J, Hannah S, India B & Annaliese B
Theo S, Kyle B and Rhys J.
CCSC Coach, David Cocks with Team Managers, Keri Hutchinson and Sue Flanigan will be looking after the Welsh Team
NEW APPOINTMENT FOR DALE
Congratulations to City of Cardiff Coach Dale Frantzeskou who has been selected as the 'Head Male Breaststroke Coach' for British Swimming's new Junior camp which is to be held from 15-18 September in Aberdeen.
This camp is for the top 80 junior swimmers in Great Britain aged 14-17 years and is a new initiative launched by British Swimming at the start of the 2020 Tokyo cycle to inspire and educate the next generation of Olympians.
City of Cardiff Compete in Germany
City of Cardiff Swimming Club travelled to Stuttgart to compete in the 41st Internationales Stuttgarter Schwimmfest on 18/19 June.
The Team of 32 swimmers competed in the outdoor 50m pool and endured a number of races in heavy rain!
Coach David Cocks who led the team said “One of the most professional teams I have taken to Stuttgart, all swimmers showed great disciplines throughout the competition (even in the torrential rain).
There was a great team atmosphere with all the swimmers showing great team spirit even when morale was at its lowest.”
The Club finished eighth overall with Becci De Torres winning the 4x50 Challenge and Amy Shelton in 2nd place.
We also had some great results with some plenty of podium finishes and every swimmers finishing top 10 in at least one event.
CARDIFF INTERNATIONAL OPEN MEET 2016
The City of Cardiff’s premier open meet was held on the weekend of 27, 28 and 29 May at the Cardiff International Pool. This was one of the last chances for swimmers to post fast times to qualify for both British and Welsh national championships, so it was very well supported with 900 swimmers competing from 103 clubs across the country. It was particularly good to see so many of the premier clubs such as City of Leeds, City of Oxford, Hillingdon Borough and Ellesmere College Titans supporting our meet.
Ellesmere College Titans won the Top Visiting Club Cup with Top Male awarded to Kyle Chisholm Borough of Kirklees and Top Female to Merissa Booth Hillingdon. We are grateful to our Rio bound swimmers, Chloe & Ieuan for signing 5 spot prizes which were awarded over the weekend.
Head Coach Graham Wardell reflects on a very busy weekend. "After overcoming a few hiccups in the first session, the meet ran like clockwork, down to the efforts of the hardworking Stephen Jones leading the Home Meet team with officials and the volunteers from the club who willingly gave up their time to allow this meet to run.”
There was a lot of fast swimming, with many swimmers setting fantastic best times. The most prolific winner for the home club was Theo Savva, who was dominant in the 13 years age category. He took gold medals in 5 events – 200m Fly, 200m Breaststroke, 100m Backstroke, 200m Backstroke and 200m IM. Such was the quality of Theo’s swimming that his time in the 200m IM was a best time by nearly 3 seconds, and ranks him second overall in Britain.
Not to be outdone, club stalwarts Harriet Jones and Otto Putland secured multiple victories in the 17 years and over category. Harriet was dominant in her specialist Fly events, winning the 50m, 100m and 200m races. Otto won Gold in the 50m Freestyle and 200m Backstroke, and backed these up with silver medals in the 200m Freestyle and 200m IM.
Head Coach Graham concludes "It was really good to see such a high level of swimming by our swimmers. After the end of the meet, and the closing of the window for setting qualifying times for national championships, I am delighted to announce the club has a record 18 individual qualifiers for the British championships and over 40 swimmers for the Welsh national championships. This is a testament to all of the hard work put in by swimmers, coaches, parents and all of the officers and volunteers at our club, and we can be truly proud of what we have achieved so far this season. Here’s to an outstanding summer of racing!"
OLYMPIC PREPARATIONS FOR CHLOE & IEUAN
City of Cardiff Swimmers Chloe Tutton & Ieuan Lloyd continue their preparations for Rio joining Team GB on the Mare Nostrum and competing in Barcelona on 11/12 June.
Chloe came away with a brace of silvers in 100m & 200m Breaststroke. Ieuan won a fantastic Bronze in the 200IM, where 2nd to 6th were split by just 0.79. Ieuan came 6th in the Final of the 200m Freestyle, won by James Guy in a Championship record time.
The week before, both were training at the Swim Wales camp. City of Cardiff swimmer Harriet Jones competed in the Canet en Roussilion on 8/9 June. She made both B Finals and was just squeezed out to 4th in the 100m butterfly by 0.16 and came 5th in the 200m Butterfly.
Vale of Glamorgan & Cardiff Updates
5 new level 1 Assistant teachers all learning and looking forward to a Level 2 course once they have gained more experience.
RLSS Drowning Prevention Week
Out reach to the school in the Vale with leaflet drops and Assemblies which all were positively received.
Aquazone
The Aquazone Swimming lessons helped to promote Water Safety by delivering in all sessions at all 3 centres. The children completed the lessons wearing clothes and lesson plans were arranged around Water Safety, Safe code, and understanding pool and beach rule. All children had fun as well as learning and getting ready for the summer.
The Cardiff and Vale School Aquatic Festival
The Cardiff and Vale School Aquatic Festival is planned for Friday 8th July in Cardiff International Pool. If anyone would like to volunteer at this event (especially officials, scorers and an announcer) please contact Hanna Guise (hanna.guise@swimming.org / 07824324654).
Drowning Prevention Week:
All Cardiff Leisure centres have been delivering water safety lessons to promote Drowning Prevention Week.
To show their support of DPW, this year Pentwyn Lifesaving Club are holding a showcase on Friday 24th June of the work done by the members in both Rookies and Club for friends and family to attend. There will be showing demonstrations, races and lots of activities for everyone to get involved with.
UK Coaching Awards 2016
Nominations now open!
The UK Coaching Awards honour sports coaches and coaching organisations who have demonstrated outstanding success over the previous 12 months.
Hosted by sports coach UK, the showpiece event is seen as one of the most prestigious within the coaching community. Now in its 19th year, it raises the profile of coaches and the role they play in encouraging participation, performance and excellence. Previous winners include the most successful coaches from a wide variety of sports.
Awards are made following a public nominations process and decision by an expert judging panel. There are eight award categories for coaches and three for awards in support of coaching, plus the overall title of UK Coach of the Year. That means there's a category for every aspect of coaching, from volunteers working at a local level in the community right through to full-time professional coaches working with our national teams.
Nominations must be made by 24 September 2016.
To nominate for the awards please use the judging guidance and nomination forms. All details are within these documents.
Women in Sport Week
Women’s Sport Week 2016 will take place from Monday 3rd – Sunday 9th October, with activities taking place across the UK to raise awareness of opportunities for all women, regardless of background, ethnicity and ability, to participate in sport.
The aims of the week are to:
- Improve the media profile of women’s sport and female athletes
- Raise awareness of inclusive opportunities for women and girls to take part in sport
- Encourage women’s representation in sport leadership and workforce
If you would like to get involved in Women’s Sport Week and be the first to hear about the plans and activities taking place please register here.
Masters Swimming Rankings
2015 European rankings
Long Course
Michelle Ware (Guilford City) – 6 events
Allie Price (Cardiff Masters) – 5 events
Stella Farrar (Arfon Masters) – 1 event
Jonathan Hopkins (Cardiff Masters) – 1 event
Stuart Sherman (Cardiff Masters) 1 event
Gareth Cocks (Cardiff Masters) – 2 events
Walter Syrett (Heads of the valleys) – 1 event
James Arthur (Celtic Dolphins) – 2 events
Short Course
Michelle Ware (Guilford City) – 6 events
Allie Price (Cardiff Masters) – 6 events
Stella Farrar (Arfon Masters) – 2 events
Garfield Thomas (Bridgend County) – 2 events
Jonathan Hopkins (Cardiff Masters) – 3 events
Stuart Sherman (Cardiff Masters) – 1 event
2015 World Rankings
Long Course
Michelle Ware (Guilford City) – 6 events
Allie Price (Cardiff Masters) – 3 events
Garfield Thomas (Bridgend County) – 1 event
Gareth Cocks (Cardiff Masters) – 1 event
Short Course
Michelle Ware (Guilford City) – 5 events
Allie Price (Cardiff Masters) – 1 event
Stella Farrar (Arfon Masters) – 1 event
Available Courses
Level 1 Swimming Assistant Teacher – 1 Formula Fitness – 15.07.2016 – 24.07.2016 – 7 Places
Level 1 Coaching Swimming – Llantrisant Leisure Centre – 16.07.2016 – 29.07.2016 – 7 Places
Level 1 Swimming Assistant Teacher – Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre – 16.07.2016 – 26.07.2016 – 16 Places
Level 1 Swimming Assistant Teacher – Lampeter Leisure Centre – 07.10.2016 – 16.10.2016 – 15 Places
Level 1 Swimming Assistant Teacher – Abergavenny Leisure Centre – 24.10.2016 – 28.10.2016 – 10 Places
Level 1 Swimming Assistant Teacher – Western Leisure Centre – 24.10.2016 – 28.10.2016 – 7 Places
Level 2 Swimming Teacher – Pontypool Active Living Centre – 05.11.2016 – 27.11.2016 – 2 Places
Level 2 Swimming Teacher – Abergavenny Leisure Centre – 14.01.2016 – 24.02.2017 – 8 Places
Level 2 Coaching Swimming – Connah’s Quay Swimming Pool – 27.01.2017 – 26.02.2017 – 4 Places
For more information please contact Katie Genan on
01792 513580 or click HERE
Upcoming events
Volunteers:
If you would like to volunteer for any Swim Wales events please complete the application form and send to: Gayle.Robson@swimming.org
In return for giving up your time to help at any Swim Wales National Event, you will receive, Free Entry, Programme, Parking, Food, refreshments, Volunteer T-shirt & 10% discount on specific Event merchandise for the meet and day you are volunteering at.
Swim Wales, WNPS, Sketty Lane, Swansea. SA2 8QG Tel: 01792 513636
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WNPS
Sketty Lane
Swansea
SA2 8QG
www.swimwales.org