Imogen McCalman won the 11-year-old 100m backstroke title at the South-East Regional championships. She is one of five Reading swimmers covering 19 events in the event which are being held over two weekends. Four of them were involved in the first round held at the K2 Leisure Centre in Crawley.

McCalman got the Saturday proceedings underway in the 200m IM heats. Her time of 2min 49.44secs, which equalled her personal best, saw her finish sixth to earn a place in the in the final for 11 year olds. Josh Goble, 12, swam next  in the 100m freestyle and he produced a new long-course PB with 1.06:.34. McCalman returned for her second event and gained another respectable time of 1.21:77 in the 100m fly which gave her another sixth place in this heat-declared event. Goble and Alex Bakker-Noguer both swam the 200m breaststroke with the latter achieving a long-course personal best of 3.12:54. Goble was disqualified for a minor-rule infringement.

In the afternoon session, McCalman produced two excellent swims. She was fifth overall in her age group in the 400m free with a time of 5.13:17. But  McCalman went a lot better in her 100m backstroke, producing an excellent 1.16:13 against her entry time of 1:22. Her time was just half a second outside the National Qualifying time, but good enough to give her the South-East Region 11-year-old title.

On Sunday afternoon, Josh Goble swam well in the 200m freestyle for another long-course personal best in 2.24:10. Ellie Fields produced another long-course personal best of 1.30:02 in the breastroke, her favourite event. McCalman then finished second in the 200m flystroke with a time of 2.57:98. The championships will be completed over the weekend of June 11 and 12.

Session 1

11 years: Speeding tickets went Gemma Phillipps with 1.32:2 and Bethany Hunt gained a 13-second improvement on her time. There were also improved times from Annabel Kartal-Allen (14 seconds), Olivia Neale (8), Mollie Hobson (21),  Amy Palmer (10) and Lucy Edwards, who was just inside her entry time.
12 years: Hannah Stewart took the gold medal with a five-second gain. Silver went to Lizzie Howling with a 12-second bettered time. Anne-Lise Stewart was sixth, improving her time by 10 seconds.
13 years: Silver and bronze medals went to Loni Stevens and Nastasha Muir with three and seven-second personal bests.
14 years: Gold went to Catherine Hill in 1.30:93 just off her entry time, while Georgia Doran took the silver with a two-second gain. Fourth-placed Kayleigh Phillipps equalled her time and fifth spot went to Sian Fields, who took one second off the time.
15 & Over: Jess Bird claimed bronze with a three-second gain.
Boys 100 freestyle, 10 & Under: Javier Bakker-Noguer won the silver medal in a time of 1.32:44. an eight-second  improved time.
12 years: Reading swimmers were third, fourth and fifith. Ryan Elder’s time of 1.24:40 was a six-second gain. Mitchell Coombes finished in 1.24:75, while Phillip Chevassut took 14 seconds off his time.
14 years: Jonathan Venner won the gold in 1.09:72, a slight personal best.
Girls 50 Freestyle, 10 & Under: There was a bronze for Madeline Pollard in 42:31; Faye Mulford took three seconds off her time and Abbie Stewart equalled her entry time.
11 years: Mollie Hobson earned the gold medal in 36:89, Annabel Kartal-Allen was fifth  with a three-second gain, while there was a two-second improvement for Jana Ciecierska-Holmes. Speeding tickets went to Bethany Hunt and Olivia Neale with seven and six-second personal bests respectively.
12 years: Improved times earned Maddie Bell and Lizzie Howling speeding tickets. Lucy Troiani claimed the bronze with a four-second personal best and Libby Venner took fourth place with an eight-second gain.
13 years: Fourth place went to Natasha Muir for a two-second personal best.
14 years: There was gold for  Sian Fields in 32:94, a one-second personal best, and a bronze for Kayleigh Phillipps with a two-second improvement.
15 & Over: Third-placed Megan Hill, fourth Rachel Coombes and fifth Jess Bird all achieved pbs.
Boys 100 individual medley, 10 & Under: Javier Bakker-Noguer was fourth with a pb.
12 years: Large improvements were recorded by Mitchell Coombes (18secs), Ryan Elder (13secs) and Phillip Chevassut (19sec), who finished fifth, sixth and seventh respectively.
13 years: Thomas Moffat, swimming this event for the first time,  took the gold medal in 1.40:75
14 years: Tommy Trees claimed gold in 1.16:5, a pb, and Jonathan Venner earned silver in a time just on his entry time.
Girls 100 backstroke 10 & Under: Faye Mulford and Madeline Pollard improved their times by eight and four seconds respectively.
11 years: Silver medal to Gemma Phillipps took 10 seconds off her time. Bronze medals went to Bethany Hunt and Mollie Hobson with 20 and 18 second improvements. Olivia Neale knocked another six seconds off her time, Lucy Edwards did four, Annabel Kartal-Allen 13 and Jana Ciecierska-Holmes just bettered her time.
12 years: Gold went to Maddie Bell, who equalled her entry time, Anne-Lise Stewart won bronze with a three-second gain, Lizzie Howling, fourth, made a six-second personal best and there were improved times for Libby Venner, by one second,  and Lucy Troiani, 13.
13 years: Natasha Muir claimed another gold in 123:97, a four-second pb, while Loni Stevens gain a two-second time for sixth place.
14 years: Sian Fields picked up her second gold of the competition in a time of 1.27:97. Third-placed Kayleigh Phillipps knocked two seconds off her pb.
15 & Over: Gold went to Megan Hill in 1.20:82, Rachel Coombes was fourth and Jess Bird fifth.
Boys 100 Fly 10 & Under: Javier Bakker-Noguer produced a five-second gain to win the event
14 years: Tommy Trees claimed the silver medal in a time of 1.24:09 and Jonathan Venner a bronze in 1.34:78.

Session 2

Boys 100m breast 12 years: Mitchell Coombes gained a one-second personal best and the silver medal.
13 years: Thomas Moffat collected his second gold medal with a time of 1.54:67.
14 years: Silver medal went to Jonathan Venner in an improved time of 1.27:15.
Girls 100 Freestyle 11 years: A three-second personal best gave Gemma Phillipps the gold medal, while improved times came from Bethany Hunt (16 seconds) Mollie Hobson (2),   Amy Palmer (4), Jana Ciecierska-Holmes (8) and Lucy Edwards (4).
12 years: Maddie Bell earned a speeding ticket with her time of 1.14:10. The silver medal went to Lizzie Howling in 1.16:91, Anne-lise Stewart was fifith with a five-second pb, Lucy Troiani made an eight-second gain and Libby Venner three seconds.
13 years: Natasha Muir won bronze with a four-second pb. Emily Lotter was seventh place in her first-time swim.
14 years: Georgia Doran finished strongly to out touch Catherine Hill for the gold medal, both recording their best-ever times. Sian Fields was fourth, Kayleigh Phillipps fifth with a pb, and Jessica-Megan Collins was seventh, taking seven seconds off her best.
15 & Over: Silver medal to Megan Hill and fourth spot to Rachel Coombes, both off their entry times.
Boys 50m Freestyle, 10 & Under: Javier Bakker-Noguer’s 43:38 earned him third place.
12 years: Mitchell Coombes was fifth in 38:66 and Phillip Chevassut sixth with a seven-second improvement.
13 years: A time of 37:52 gave Thomas Moffat another victory.
14 years: Jonathan Venner, who equalled  his entry time, picked up another gold medal
Girls 100m individual medley 10 & Under:  Madeline Pollard worked hard to achieve a small personal best.
11 years: Gemma Phillipps earned the silver medal with a one-second improvement.  Bethany Hunt took 14 seconds off her time, Amy Palmer reduced hers by 13; Mollie Hobson by seven and Jana Ciecierska-Holmes, also by seven.
12 years: Another gold medal went to Maddie Bell in 1.27:68, a two-second personal best, while Lizzie Howling took six seconds off her time to win bronze. Libby Venner and Lucy Troiani managed 12 and four-second gains respectively.
13 years: A massive 12-second improvement gave Natasha Muir the silver medal and Emily Lotter clocked 1.58:47 in her first event.
14 years: Georgia Doran just held on to pip  club colleague Catherine Hill, both girls bettering their entry times.
15 & Over: Silver and bronze medals going to Rachel Coombes and Megan Hill in time of 1.23:20 and 1.25:02 respectively.
Boys 100 backstroke 10 & Under: Javier Bakker-Noguer equalled his entry time to claim a fourth place.
12 years: Mitchell Coombes was sixth in 1.43:97 and Phillip Chevassut eighth with a 10-second personal best.
14 years: Another silver medal with a slight personal best went to Jonathan Venner.
Girls 100m Flystroke, 10 & Under:  Madeline Pollard, in her first attempt at this distance, finished fifth in 2.37:73.
11 years: Big personal bests were recorded by Gemma Phillipps (10 seconds) and Bethany Hunt (15th) when finishing fifth and sixth. Mollie Hobson, attempting this event for the first time, clocked 1.54:59.
12 years: All four Reading girls achieved personal bests. The strong-finishing Hannah Stewart won the silver medal in 1.29:86, while Maddie Bell took four seconds off her time to claim the bronze. Lizzie Howling sliced off 18 seconds, and Anne-Lise Stewart four.
13 years: Natasha Muir, in her first race, produced a superb effort to win the silver medal in 1.35:60.
14 years: Georgia Doran won gold with a time of 1.18:47, Kayleigh Phillipps was runner-up with a three-second personal best and Jessica-Megan Collins took the  bronze medal.
15 & Over: Rachel Coombes finished second in 1.28:07 and Megan Hill third in 1.32:44.

Teams competing in this year’s final were from Amersham, Windsor, Newbury, Maidenhead, Chesham and Reading. All these clubs have been previous winners.

Although Reading did take the 6^th position overall, this did not take away the effort and commitment shown by the swimmers. 25 out of the 43 events were swam faster than in previous rounds and a number of P.B’s being recorded.

No 1^st places were achieved, taking 2^nd spots Joshua Goble in the 12 years old 50 Freestyle in a time of 29.69, just out-touched at the finish by 0.18. He also claimed a 3^rd place in Fly event for a time of 35.19. Improving 11years old swimmer Imogen McCalman swam a new best time in the 50 Freestyle of 31.67.

3^rd places were gained by 12 year old Katie Boyce, another swimmer to produce a P.B. time 34.83 in the 50 Fly. Alex Bakker-Noguer swam superbly in 2 individual races, both P.B. swims in the 12 years 50 metre Backstroke and Breaststroke with times of 36.78 and 38.97. The 12-year-old boys Medley relay team of Freddy Woods, Alex Bakker-Noguer, Joshua Goble and Max Mander came home for a good 3^rd place in a time of 1:08.97

Creditable 4^th places went to 12 year old Hannah Stewart on Backstroke in a time of 39.67. 11 years old swimmers Gemma Phillipps on Breaststroke in 43.10, Robbie Webster on Backstroke for a time of 41.00. Fast improving 10-year-old Backstroke swimmer Daisy Butterworth finished in a good time of 44.02.

Woodward said “The ‘A’ Final has been our three year plan and I’m very pleased the swimmers and coaches have got up for this. It may seem last place on the day, I’m more than happy with that as 6^th place in a League of 12 is very good for the club at present. Tonight was all about having fun and getting on with competing against our own PB’s rather than be disillusioned in taking on the other clubs. That will come at a later date but for now, we are where we need to be. A great night once again”.

A superb effort by all the team. Individual results of RSC swimmers can be found here.

Thats it, camp over!

 

We finished the week with an easy session this morning and then split our team with Newbury to have a mini gala with six teams of six. We had team relays, 200 IM races for everyone, 200 Fs for top two swimmers in each team and then each swimmer had turns in 100's of each stroke. Great fun with The Purple Puffer Fish (God knows who thought of that) winning the competition, heading off Schmi in second, Tank Unit in third. Poonang (?!?), Jelly Babies and Ghetto Shed Bois made up the other places. Strange names and for what reason, I know not!!!!

 

Some great highlights from the week including:

• Jordan's dinners that were fit for a King
• A slightly puzzling game when we borrowed the kids room keys and then swapped the tags without telling them
• Swimming in the rain
• The mystery of the stolen bed!!!!
• Quiz Night (First version as the second one with Newbury wasn't as good - they didn't really smile much!)

There have been no problems at all this week and all the swimmers have worked, rested and played as a team, a very good team. Other teams have been all over the place at times but our swimmers have been on time for everything, dressed in kit when asked and been an absolute dream. They have been a huge credit to the club, their parents and themselves and this is way better than we'd have imagined.

 

I can't thank the swimmers enough, all of them, for their contributions to one of the best weeks I've had in swimming. I had my reservations about how it would go with the wide range of abilities but I needn't have worried. This has been a tremendous success and I'm afraid that most of you will be given the details time and time again over the coming weeks, possibly months!! For those who may say "He would say that", you'll be treated to some great stories and immense laughter at times. The kids will fill you in.

 

Huge thanks to Harry for his support on poolside, at the hotel and also with looking for the missing bed.

 

Now the biggest thanks, they go to Jayne Fields who has done such a fantastic job organising this trip. It isn't easy doing it for one team but to manage it for two teams is a BIG job. She was also given the role of Team Manager for this trip and has seen the way its done from the 'inside' so to speak. It's been a great team effort and once again, a highly successful one. Thanks to Paul Fields in advance for the calls he will be getting regarding our extradition from Cyprus.

 

Thanks too for all the guys back home who have covered our sessions through the week and helped the smooth running of the club.

 

All the swimmers have had logbooks and I urge you to ask for them please and take on what they've been up to this week. The sessions haven't been hard but the hours they have put in have added to a heavy workload in terms of meterage. Most of the swimmers have filled in their comments after each session and then brought them back to us to go through. They have also been asked to write down their high points and their low points, some are entertaining to say the least!!! Many have said they don't want to come home but I'm not sure Cyprus is ready for this type of invasion.

 

Can I ask you all to take a look at their logbooks, sign them and hand them back to me next week please. I will then return them to the swimmers in due course. Please do this for me as its very important that you see what they have done and their views (if they have any) on how they think they've done. As with all the sessions we do, we evaluate them and see where we need to change the next phase.

 

See you all in the week.

Tony, Harry & Jayne.

 23/2/2011 12:16 DAY FOUR AND FIVE

... of THE "MILDLY WARMER THAN THE UK" TRAINING CAMP!

Sorry for the delay in update from yesterday but after our now famous Quiz Night and the writing up of Test Sets, the Wednesday morning was upon us quicker than we'd hoped for!!!
 
First test set yesterday and in general, a pretty good one. Swim sessions still going very well and those who I would've expected to struggle have mostly done very well, certainly better than I thought.
 
Kids asked for a Quiz Night last night and it proved to be enormous fun, so much so that they want another one tomorrow evening.
 
Weather turned out better today, best day so far but we are looking to keep them out for just a short time.
 
Lots of funny things have enlightened an already buzzing camp.
 
Today is mainly recovery work from the heavy schedule, some had an hour extra lay-in today, the rest will have a shortened session tomorrow evening.
 
Coaches Challenge today and that will involve an activity out of the pool for all the swimmers - some won't like it, others can't wait.
 
All is going very well with no problems at all from anyone, to be honest its been one of the best camps especially as the ability level of the swimmers is quite a lot.
 
Catch you all tomorrow, sleep well as the kids are genuienly loving it (three have said they don't want to go home but I'm not keeping them!!!)
 
Tony, Harry and Jayne

Weather much better today, I even had my top off .

Today we stopped about 75 minutes into the afternoon session to draw our first TWO lucky Pressure Swim Competitors. These swimmers had the personal and team challenge to swim 100 Fs in a time that was to be within 3% of their best time. If they made the time, they were allowed to swim down and get out early. They would also be excluded from any other pressure swims for the remainder of the week. However, if they failed they would go back into the hat and may be picked out again in the week and the rest of the team would have a 1000m timed swim .

With all the other swimmers out of the pool, Jonny and Jenny set about the first challenge of the week and both recorded times inside their targets (Jenny actually went faster today than she did at Wycombe last week and got told off for not doing it there!!)

Attached are a couple of photos from yesterday and today, one from the guys just getting to poolside, one of Chris Currie who hasn't stopped smiling and one of the intrepid Four MOUSEketeers who get their energy from God knows where!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joshua Goble won his Freestyle event in 29.58 and taking 2^nd place in the butterfly with a 35.80. Alex Bakker-Noguer also claimed a 1^st & 2^nd place finish in the Breast for a time of 39.96 just outside his P.B. time and the Backstroke which produced a P.B. time of 37.55. Third places went to Katie Boyce swimming a change of stroke from the last round, both great P.B. swims on Butterfly in 36.06 and Breaststroke in 41.86. Hannah Stewart another swimmer who proves there is no substitute for regular training and hard work earned herself an excellent P.B. on the Backstroke in a time of 38.79. Maddie Bell completed the 12 years age group individual swimmers in the Freestyle in a time of 33.59. Success for age group relays teams , the Boys team of Freddy Woods, Alex Bakker-Noguer, Josh Goble and Max Mander winning the Medley Relay , with Phillip Chevassut coming in for Joshua Goble in the Freestyle Relay taking close finish 2^nd spot. For the girls Medley team Hannah Stewart, Lizzie Howling, Katie Boyce and Maddie Bell another close finish race to gain the 2^nd place, Anne-Lise Stewart replaced Maddie Bell in the Freestyle team, which took the 3^rd spot.

11 Year Age Group

Most of Readings wins came from this age group, with Imogen McCalman claiming 2 wins just on her P.B. time, the Butterfly in 37.38 and the Freestyle in 32.50, P.B. by 1 second. Robbie Webster continued his run of good winning the Backstroke in a P.B. time of 40.68 and coming in 2^nd in the Freestyle for a time of 37.12. Slade Whittaker won the Breaststroke with a superb attacking swim to make a 2 second P.B. In 49.78. Second place went to Gemma Phillipps also on Breaststroke on her P.B. to record a time of 42.97. George Kremer on Butterfly took another 4 seconds off his P.B. time to produce a time of 43.30. In the relay races the girls team of Christa Drew, Gemma Phillipps, Imogen McCalman and Libby Penny winning both the Medley and the Freestyle events. The boys team of Robbie Webster, Mitchell Coombes, George Kremer and Sidney Beasley taking the 2^nd places in both races.

10 Year Age Group

This age group proved to be a really tough to gain any success, but this did not show any lack of desire or effort from these young swimmers. Daisy Butterworth gained a 2^nd place for her Backstroke swim in a time of 44.95, Bethany Hunt in 3^rd spot on her Butterfly in 42.18 both these girls a 2 second improvement from the last round. Also swimming faster in this round was Mollie Hobson taking a 4^th spot on Freestyle in 38.41. The girls relay team of Mollie Hobson, Daisy Butterworth, Bethany Hunt and Lucy Edwards held on to gain 4^th places in both relays. For the boys team Matthew Peters, Javier Bakker-Noguer, William Stewart and Jack Endersley although out of the top places their commitment was there to be seen.

9 Year Age Group

This age only swam in relays as an introduction to competitive swimming and they did not let the team down, picking up valuable points along the way. All but one of the boys are still in the clubs teaching programme plus two of the girls which shows that we have a number of very talented young swimmers for the future. There were third places for both the Medley and Freestyle boys teams of Fergus Mander, Jack Ellard, Ruud Drew and Martyn Ellwell, with Tom Brown coming in for Jack Ellard in the Freestyle race. In the Mixed Special Medley relay Ida Burrows, Ruud Drew, Mika Cutler and Fergus Mander picked up the 3^rd place and in the Mixed Freestyle Relay, Lara Richmond, Abbie Stewart, Tom Brown and Ruud Drew came home 5^th with good legs from each swimmer. The girls Freestyle team of Madeline Pollard, Lara Richmond, Ida Burrows and Mika Cutler came home in the 4^th spot.

Many thanks to all the helpers on the pool deck, from coaches, officials and to new Club Captain Jenny Taylor. Special thanks to Olivia Neale who came to swim but an ear infection ruled her out but whose support to her team-mates was very well received. With the top six making up the ‘A’ Final, the result has just edged Reading into the ‘A’ Final, a feat last achieved many years ago and all the coaching staff would like to congratulate all the swimmers for their brilliant team effort.

Head Coach, Tony Woodward, said “We are thrilled to bits with the swimmers this year. New levels are being reached, we have 12 year old boys doing close to a minute for 100 Fs and girls close on their tails. Times for all events are coming down at a fast level too and we are seeing our swimmers now believing in what they do in training. There are no short cuts to success and our patience is really paying off. These swimmers have done themselves and the club proud, a job well done. We’ll still use the final as a development evening but we’ll have some fun on the night”

Final Gala Result

Newbury 224 points, Chesham 188, Reading 168, Chalfont 145, Slough & Eaton 88,  Teddington D.N.S

League Table

'A' Final: Amersham ‘A’ 12 points, Newbury 12, Chesham 10, Windsor 8, Maidenhead 8, READING 8

'B' Final: Wycombe 7, Chalfont 6, Bracknell & Wokingham 5, Slough & Eton 4, Amersham ‘B’ 2, Teddington 0

The results of RSC swimmers for Round 2 can be found here. A report was also published in the Reading Post.

Harry Wild

Ninety-three swimmers aged 8 to 23 competed in 13 events in the four strokes, backstroke, breaststroke, fly and freestyle and the individual medley where all four events are combined and at distances ranging from 50 to 1500 metres. Club chairman Pat Stewart hosted the awards ceremony supported by newly elected Club captain Jenny Taylor. Trophies were awarded for the fastest male and female swimmer in each event by age-group with a record 37 swimmers winning at least one event. One swimmer, Ellie Fields, excelled by completing a clean sweep, winning all 13 events in her age group. Club records were broken by Ellie Wood in the girls 16 and over 100m fly in a time of 1:05.34 and Tads Ciecierski-Holmes in the boys 12 year old 800m freestyle in a time of 10:28.91.

The Miller Trophy was presented to the club top girl Ellie Wood and the SB Joel Esq Cup to the top boy Morgan Nash. Four further awards for special contributions to the club were made:- The Enstone Trophy was awarded to Amy French, the Cygnets Friendship Cup to Hannah Stewart, the Joseph Korting Cup to Eva Hamrud and the Grace Burt Memorial Bowl to Nicky and Andy Charrington. The coaching team also presented awards to recognise significant effort throughout the year. After completion of the formal part of the evening, the party really started with the dance floor busy all night.

Overall the evening was a great success. Tony Woodward, Chief Coach, said “one of the best Awards Nights (aka Party Night) for a long time”. Reading Swimming Club would like to thank parents and swimmers for their hard work and support and thanks to this and contributions from the evening’s corporate sponsors:- Adam and Eve Hair, Avon, B2PSports, Caversham Plumbing and Heating, Charity Paintball, Green’s of Pangbourne,Kremer Body Repairs, Trailjunkies Mountain Bike Centre, Weir View Guest House andZizzi’s Restaurant . The event was also able to raise significant funds for the club.

Here the link for the Reading Evening Post article.

Reading Swimming Club Championships 2010 Trophy Winners:

Club Championship Winners

10&Under Girls
• Imogen McCalman - 100 & 200 Back, 100 & 200 Breast, 100 & 200 Fly, 200 IM, 100, 400, 800 & 1500 Free
• Jasmine Wills - 200 Free

10&Under Boys
• Robbie Webster - 100 & 200 Back, 100 & 200 Fly, 200 IM,100, 200 & 1500 Free
• Slade Whittaker - 100 Breast, 400 & 800 Free
• Sid Beasley - 200 Breast

11yr Girls
• Katie Boyce - 100 & 200 Back, 100 & 200 Breast, 100 Fly, 200 IM, 100, 200, 400 & 800 Free
• Gemma Phillips - 200 Fly
• Hannah Stewart - 1500 Free

11yr Boys
• George Kremer - 100 & 200 Back, 100 Fly, 200 IM, 100, 200 & 800 Free
• Mitchell Coombes- 100 & 200 Breast

12yr Girls
• Ellie Fields - 100 & 200 Back, 100 & 200 Breast, 100 & 200 Fly,200 & 400 IM, 100, 200, 400, 800 & 1500 Free

12yr Boys
• Joshua Goble - 100 & 200 Breast, 100 Fly, 200 & 400 IM, 100 & 200 Free
• Tads Ciecierski-Holmes - 100 Back, 200 Fly, 400 & 800 Free
• Alex Bakker Noguer -200 Back, 1500 Free

13yr Girls
• Jordan Langridge - 100 & 200 Back, 200 & 400 IM, 100, 200, 400, 800 & 1500 Free
• Kayleigh Phillips - 100 & 200 Breast
• Georgia Doran - 200 Fly

13yr Boys
• Tommy Trees - 100 Back, 100 & 200 Fly, 200 & 400 IM,100, 200, 400 & 800 Free
• James Babbington - 200 Back, 1500 Free
• Jonathan Venner - 100 & 200 Breast

14yr Girls
• Catherine Hill - 400 IM, 100, 400, 800 & 1500 Free
• Amy Chadwick - 100 & 200 Back, 200 Free
• Rachel Coombes - 100 & 200 Breast, 200 IM
• Pippa Woods - 100 & 200 Fly

14yr Boys
• Alex Douglas - 100 & 200 Back, 200 Breast, 100 & 200 Fly, 200 & 400 IM, 100, 200, 400 800 & 1500 Free
• Oliver Turner -  100 Breast

15yr Girls
• Eva Hamrud - 100 Fly, 200, 400, 800 & 1500 Free
• Imogen Brown - 100 & 200 Back, 200 Fly, 400 IM
• Jenny Martin - 100 & 200 Breast, 100 Free, 200 IM 200 Breast

15yr Boys
• Niko Ciecierski-Holmes 100 & 200 Back, 100 & 200 Breast, 100 & 200 Fly, 200 & 400 IM, 100, 200, 400 Free

16&Over Girls
• Ellie Wood - 200 Back, 200 Breast, 100 Fly, 200 & 400 IM, 100, 200, 800 & 1500 Free
• Jennifer Taylor - 100 Breast, 200 Fly
• Natalia Ciecierska-Holmes - 100 Back, 400 Free

16&Over Boys
• Jonathan Aldridge - 200 Back, 200 Breast, 200 IM, 400, 800 & 1500 Free
• Liam Bennett - 100 Fly, 100 & 200 Free
• Dan John - 100 Back, 200 Fly
• Adam Turner - 100 Breast

Individual Squad Awards

The coaches awards for swimmers in the individual squads went to
Lucy Edwards (Development 2), Olivia Neale (Development 1), Jazz Wills (Age Squad), Laura Bacon (Club Squad), Morgan Nash (Country Squad) and Ellie Wood (Top Squad).

Merit Awards

Merit awards were given to Megan Waters, Lucy Douglas, Lizzie Howling, Maddie
Bell, Anne-Lise Stewart, Jessamy Kellow, Qi Zhang, Freddy Woods, Daisy Butterworth,
Libby Venner, Libby Penny, Mollie Hobson, Catherine Fisher, Bethany Hunt, Loni
Stephens, Lavina Chard, Catrina Mulvihill, Jessica Megan Collins, Philip Chevassut,
William Stewart, Ida Burrowa, Hana Cutler, Mika Cutler, Alex Rowe, Ryan Elder,
Joanna Wakefield and Jessica Bird.

The T.V.J.L. is a development meet for swimmers 9 to 12 years old, swimming 50 metres in individual events and 25 metres in the relays.

Reading knew that they had a tough competition ahead of themselves swimming against very strong and previous winners of the league in Amersham and Wycombe and so it proved. They took on the task and produced an excellent result taking 3^rd place with some superb swimming.

1st places would be hard to achieve but that did not deter the young swimmers. With 12 year old Alex Bakker-Noguer continuing his excellent form in competitions since Christmas by improving his Breaststroke time for Breast to break the 40-second barrier to record a 39.72. Robbie Webster took the Backstroke in a P.B. time of 40.74 in the 11 years old age group.

2^nd places went to 11 years old swimmers Imogen McCalman in the Fly and Freestyle events, the Fly in a P.B. time of 36.14, and the Freestyle just off her P.B. in 23.11. Gemma Phillipps another swimmer continuing to improve her times with a P.B. in the Breaststroke with a time of 42.67.

In the 12 years age group Katie Boyce back in the water after breaking a bone in her hand record good times in the Freestyle in a time of 30.95. Ellie Fields Breaststroke time of 40.81, Joshua Goble on Freestyle in 30.14 gained good points for the team.

In the Relay events 2^nd spots went to the 11 years girls Medley team of Christa Drew, Gemma Phillipps, Imogen McCalman and Jasmine Wills, and in the Freestyle team Olivia Neale came in for Jasmine Wills. Both the 12 years old Girls and Boys Medley teams of Katie Boyce, Ellie Fields, Imogen McCalman and Lizzie Howling, Freddy Woods, Alex Bakker-Noguer, Joshua Goble and Max Mander

3^rd places the 10 years old for the girls Bethany Hunt another to improve her P.B. on Fly in 43.20 and for the boys William Stewart on Breaststroke and Backstroke in times of 53.35 and 45.05. 11 year old Slade Whittaker recorded a time of 50.58 in the Breaststroke.12 year old Katie Boyce and Alex Bakker-Noguer on Back in times of 39.19 and 37.87. On Fly Ellie Fields and Joshua Gobble with times of 39-24 and 36.04

Relays picking up 3^rd spots were the 10 years girls’ Medley team of Mollie Hobson, Daisy Butterworth, Bethany Hunt and Catrina Mulvhill. The 11 year boys Medley team of Slade Whittaker, Mitchell Coombes, George Kremer and Robbie Webster. Girl’s Freestyle team in the 12 years old age group of Ellie Fields, Lizzie Howling, Anne-Lise Stewart and Katie Boyce just missed a 2^nd place by 0.14.

A mention for Abbie Stewart, Mika Cuter, Ida Burrows, Lara Richardson, Fergus Mander, Jack Endersley, Jack Ellard, Martyn Ellwell. Many of these swimmers it was their first time in a league competition a number of them are still in our teaching programme. With no recorded disqualifications the future is looking bright.

“We are extremely pleased and encouraged by the result tonight. It would be a great achievement for us to make the ‘A’ Final this year and with some great swims like tonight, we have a good chance of doing so”.

Final Result:

Harry Wild

"Just coming back from the Windsor Meet and possibly the best set of group results for ages. Not the usual same kids doing the same swims, same results but a huge general effort from everyone.

All its taken is for swimmers to get up and race, to trust what they've been asked to do and to trust in their ability. I'm not going to single anyone out as it wouldn't be fair to the others.

Myself and Harry have thoroughly enjoyed a great weekend of swimming with several new County times, several improved County times and also a couple of swimmers who are within a second or so of their first Southern County times.

All I hope for now is for other swimmers to follow the example set by this weekends swimmers and aim higher than they've done before.

Thanks to the members of the club who helped at the meet and the parents for their support and to Harry for his ever-present enthusiasm.

Thanks"

Tony Woodward, RSC Headcoach

Full Report

“One of the best group performances for a long time” was how last weekend’s Windsor Meet Open results were described by Reading Swimming Club’s Head Coach, Tony Woodward.

Some very promising performances came from the annual trip to County neighbours, Windsor Swimming Club in the first meet of 2011 for the Level 2 swimmers in a competition aimed at National and Regional qualifying times. It was also the last chance for Berk and South Bucks swimmers to get their qualifying times for the County Championships and this was the main aim for the Reading contingent for this meet. The swimmers were certainly in the right frame of mind after instructions from Coaches Woodward and Harry Wild, for the swimmers to trust their training programme and trust themselves.

The action and rewards started from the outset with Jazz Wills in the first heat of the meet in the 400 Fs and a good PB to start with. Imogen McCalman was in the second heat and she too provided a good swim for a big PB. Girls 100 Fly produced more good times for Eva Hamrud and Georgia Doran, whilst the two Jenny’s (Martin and Taylor) swam well but just off best times.

With a disappointing turn-out in the boys overall, Tads Ciecierski-Holmes managed a good PB in the 200 Fs to earn him an evening off!! Back to the girls and the 200 IM produced more good swims for Wills and McCalman. Katie Boyce, fresh back from a broken arm hit 6 second improvement on her entry time, whilst Ellie Fields was just off her best. Taylor and Imogen Brown all hit times on par with their current PB’s but Georgia Doran and Lucy Douglas (both 2.51) managed good PB’s with Douglas getting her first County time in the process.

In Session Two, Alex ‘Dougie’ Douglas swam his 400 Fs the same way her did in the same event at the Bath Long Course Meet in December. Attacking it from the start with times close to 100 and 200 PB, he powered on for an impressive 4.50. All the girls in the 100 Brst managed to be within 1-2 seconds of their best but none showed improvements on entry times. Dougie was back in the pool for his 100 Fly swim in an event that he needed to do well in and once again he didn’t disappoint.

The girls 200 Fs produced a gaggle of improvements on their entry times, Wills, McCalman and Lucy Douglas hitting the biggest PB’s. In the final event of the day, young Alex Bakker-Noguer made an impressive 13 second PB (2.53) on his entry time as reward for his recent hard work in training before Dougie Douglas saw the day out with 2.44.

If Day One was good, both swimmers and coaches were hungry for more and Day Two started with McCalman swimming her 200 Bk to within 1.3 seconds of her first South East Regional qualifying time and Boyce followed up just a second behind and she promises some good times once back to full fitness. Club Squad swimmer, Joanna Wakefield swam well in her race and despite missing her PB by a little, she should be encouraged by her swim after her recent poor run of luck with injuries to her shoulder and knee. Her performance was also a tad better than her father’s current football team too!! Dougie was back in fine form to record another best time in the gruelling 400 IM before Sian Fields, Doran, Martin and Wakefield came in for a race at the other end of the scale, the 50 Fs.

Bakker-Noguer improved his time from the recent Basingstoke meet by a further 2 seconds in the 100 Bk with 1.20 and Ciecierski-Holmes also bettered his entry time. Dougie just missed his best time in the same event.

Wills (3.41), Boycie (3.16) and Ellie ‘LEF’ Fields all managed better times in their 200 Brst whilst Martin also swam well in the same race and then McCalman, Boycie, Hamrud and Doran all recorded PB’s in the 100 Bk whilst the Fields sisters and ‘Chelsea’ Wakefield were just off their best. One of the best Reading swims of the meet so far came from Lucy Douglas whose PB of 1.21 and County entry time of 1.19.5 were smashed with 1.16.74. Dougie Douglas produced another great swim in the 200 Fly with an 11-second PB with 2.42 to finish Session Three.

The final session started with the girls turn at the 400 IM and Boycie hit a great PB and was followed by Reading’s top female swimmer, Ellie Wood, who came after her long shift at work to record a time just off her best but still a good indicator to what she can still do. Ciecierski-Holmes recorded an 8-second PB in the 200 Bk and then the girls came in for the 200 Fly. McCalman made a good PB of 3.06, Wills 3.37 and County time and Wood in 2.28. Ciecierski-Holmes (3.21) and Bakker-Nogeur (3.15) both had good 200 Brst before the ‘Blue Ribbon’ event of the 100 Fs.

Once again all the swimmers were gathered for a little team talk and were told to finish off a great weekend in style and they did not disappoint either. Maddie Bell swam small PB to just beat her sister, McCalman went 2 seconds better than her entry, Lucy Douglas produced another brilliant swim for 1.08 (she was doing 1.14 at beginning of season), Hamrud 1.06 (1.15 at beginning of season) and Boycie also broke the 1.10 barrier . Doran hit 1.10 for another best time whilst Ellie Fields, Sian Fields, Martin and Wood all just missed their times. Final two swims of a very successful meet came from Bakker-Noguer and Ciecierski-Holmes with 1.10 and 1.07 respectively.

Coaches Woodward and Wild both agree that this has been a great weekend’s work by the swimmers and a thoroughly enjoyable one for themselves. “I’ve now enjoyed two great weekends with this following last week’s Thames Valley Junior League success” said Wild.

Woodward added “It’s all about these youngsters getting up and racing, really racing. Believing in our programme and more importantly, believing in their own ability. The Thames Valley Junior League proved a great result for the younger swimmers and this has shown the middle part of the club is continuing in the process of improving. The higher end has been ‘sketchy’ for several years with swimmers believing more than doing but now we are believing AND doing the job”.

Many thanks to the parents who helped on poolside with officiating and of course their support from the balcony. Also HUGE thanks to Jayne Fields for her role in Team Manager and for her late night work in sending off our County entries.

Our next meet will be TVJL Round two at Newbury where another third place should see the club in its first ‘A’ Final for donkey’s years and then Wycombe which will be a bigger challenge in the notoriously slow long course pool. Some swimmers also have the Cyprus Camp to look forward to during February half term.

• Central will be closed from Monday 20th December and is due to be re-opened on Tuesday 4th January 2011. So all Central sessions are cancelled from 20th December until 4th January 2011.

• The last training session for Top, County and Age will be Wednesday 22nd December at Academy.

• The last training session for Dev1, Club and Masters will be Wednesday 22nd December at Bradfield.

• The last training session for Dev2 will be Tuesday 21st December at Willinks.

• The last session for Waterpolo will be Sunday 19th December at Central.

Tickover over the Christmas break will be for Top, County, Club and Age only and will be on the following days.

1. Bradfield Tuesday 28th Dec 08:00 - 09:30am

2. Bradfield Wednesday 29th Dec from 05:30 - 07:00am

3. Bradfield Thursday 30th Dec from 05:30 - 07:00am

Training sessions for all squads are to resume normal times from Tuesday 4 January 2011. For Central Pool Tony Woodward will send an email if re-opening is delayed.

To make sure everything is in accordance with the club rules (as closely as we can).

• Notice of the AGM to be circulated

• Nominations to be given to the secretary not less than 21 days (but see note below) before the meeting.
  The nomination form is available here for download. Nominations (proposed and seconded) to Bobbie by the 7^th October! This will result in the list of nominations being circulated less than 14 days before the AGM as stipulated in the club rules but the management team agree this is acceptable to allow more time to gather nominees. As a reminder those who are currently in post also need to be re-elected  so should have nominations completed.
  The deadline for nominations has now passed and the list of nominations is now available here. Postal vote is possible, Click here to get the form.
  

• Agenda circulated week commencing the 4^th October

Please seriously consider if you can help the club by filling one of the roles, I would be delighted if we were over subscribed.

Executive Committee Roles:

-              Plus eight further members of the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee will sit immediately after the AGM to elect a Chair and Vice-Chair.

The following documents are available for download:

• Club rules
• Role outlines as described in swim 21
  

Note: To vote at the AGM you need to be a registered member of RSC, for further information please contact Bobbie on hon.secrsc@yahoo.co.uk

Tickover starts from Monday 9th August:

• TOP, DISTRICT & COUNTY: Monday and Wednesday mornings 5.30 to 7.00 and Thursday evening 19.00 to 20.00

• AGE, DEV 1 & DEV 2: Tuesday morning 5.30 to 7.00 and Thursday evening 18.00 to 19.00

All sessions are at Central Pool

Normal training resumes for:

• Top & District  on TUESDAY AUG 31ST at Central 5.30 to 7.00am

• Age on WEDNESDAY SEPT 1ST at 16.30 at Madejski Academy

• All other squads MONDAY SEPT 6TH (normal training hours and normal location)
  

Swimmers and parents are reminded that swimmers will train with the squad they are currently in and NOT with any new squad they may be joining in September.

The 10 and Under were the1st into the water in 100 I/med. with Jana Ciecierska- Holmes taking 11 seconds off the entry time, this was followed by a newcomer to the Reading team Jasmine Wills who also improved her time by 6 seconds, in times of 2-00-68 and 1-38-98 respectively.

Next event was the 100 Backstroke for the 11 and 12 years old swimmers again there were some excellent results, Anna Winthrop’s time 1-36-61, p.b. by 10 seconds, Maddie Bell, Hannah Stewart, Sophie Castle and Lucy Douglas all swimming faster than entry times.Ellie Fields equalled her entry time to make the final in which she gained the 6^th spot. The boys swimming this event were Tads Ciecierski-Holmes and Alex Bakker-Nogeur , Tads time earned him a time to qualify for the final in which he was placed 5^th.

The 13 and 14 years 100 Freestyle followed, and again another series of p.b.’s,going to Kayleigh Phillips, Rachel Coombes, Sian Fields, Georgia Doran and Alex Bell who also qualified for final, taking 5^th place. In the boys event p.b.’s went to Max Charrington,Ollie Turner,Sebastian Lowes. Niko Ciecierski-Holmes make the final by equalling his time and coming in 6^th spot.

Open swimmers took on the 100 Butterfly event with Megan Hill and Eva Hamrud producing good p.b.’s in reward for all hard training recently in time of 1-34-67 and 1-27- 40. Jenny Martin just off her time still made the final, being joined there by Eva Hamrud who managed to better her time by 4 seconds.

The 10 and Unders were again back in the water this time swimming Breaststroke were Jana Ciecierska-Holmes and Jasmine Wills in which again they both made p.b.’s in times of 58-78 and 54-26.

100 Freestyle for the 11 and 12 age group saw small p.b’s by Hannah Stewart, Ellie Fields and Alex Bakker-Nogeur with all the other swimmers on their times. Ellie Fields managing to gain a 3^rd place in an even faster time of 1-10-37. Tads Ciecierski-Holmes winning his heat to qualify for the final in the fastest time and to prove a point went on to win in a best time of 1-07-41 a 2-second improvement.

The final event of the morning session was the 200 I/medley; big P.b’s went to the girls Kayleigh Phillips, Catherine Hill, Alex Bell, Rachel Coombes and Georgia Doran. Not to out done the boys also produced with some great swimming, Max Charrington, Ollie Turner, Morgan Nash, Sebastian Lowes, and Niko Ciecierski-Holmes.

Opening the 2^nd session was the 15 and over 100 Backstroke, with Megan Hill swimming a strong race to record a 2-second P.b. in a time of 1-20-83, Jenny Martin Joanna Wakefield and Liam Bennett just off their entry times. Joanna Wakefield making the final and being placed 6^th in a very fast race.

A small P.b to Jana Ciecierska-Holmes in the 10 and under Freestyle and Jasmine Wills just missing out on a P.b due turning to deeply and catching the pool floor.

The 13 and 14-year-old swimmers tackled the 100 Butterfly with a P.b. going to Kayleigh Phillips in 1-39-47. Niko Ciecierski-Holmes swam a good race to qualify for the final and finished in Bronze position in a time of 1-12-31.

Great swims in the 200 I/Medley by the 7 Age Group swimmers competing in the 12 and 13 age band. These 7 swimmers all produce massive P.b’s on their times totalling to 2 minutes and 2 seconds, Maddie Bell 38 seconds, Hannah Stewart 23, Sophie Castle 19, Lucy Douglas 15, Lizzie Howling 13, Joshua Goble 9, and Alex Bakker-Noguer 5. Both Lucy and Joshua were breaking the 3-minute barrier for the first time.

The two 10 and under swimmers were back in water for their 50 Backstroke race and again both beating their entry times, Jasmine Wills taking 5 seconds off her time and Jana Ciecierska-Holmes 2 seconds.

One of the best races of the meet in the 13 and 14 age group saw Rachel Coombes hold on to good technique and qualify as the fastest swimmer in the final.

P.b’s by Georgia Doran, Morgan Nash, Ollie Turner, Sebastian Lowes with Niko Ciecierski-Holmes just off his entry time making the final for a 5^th spot. In the girls final Rachel Coombes went into an early lead stroking out at a fast pace and producing excellent turns came an easy winner in a P.b. time of 1-26-46.

Last races of this session were the 15 and over 100 Freestyle, Megan Hill continuing her good form swam a P.b. in a time of 1-11-82, all other swimmer on or around their entry times.

Session 3 began with the 200 I/Medley for the 15 and over, Eva Hamrud took 16 seconds off her entry time another swimmer who has been training very hard. Megan Waters gained a slight P.B., Joanna Wakefield and Jenny Martin failing to make their times.

Final event for the 10 and under only had Jasmine Wills with a 5 seconds improvement for a time of 48-34.

100 Breaststroke next for the 12 and 13 year old swimmers, with Ellie Fields leading the way to another final in which she was just touched of the Gold medal place. Anna Winthrop swam a confident race taking a 7-second P.b, In the boys event Alex Bakker-Noguer and Joshua Goble, Alex making a 2 second P.b both qualified for the final, Joshua taking Bronze and Alex 6^th place.

Georgia Doran’s 11 second P.b swim in the 13 and 14 girls 100 Backstroke, was the highlight of this event, many of the swimmers feeling the effects long days competition. Megan Waters in the 15 and over swam a 2-second P.b in the Breaststroke.

The final events of the meet were the 12 and 13 ‘s 100 Fly a killer event for these youngster coming at the end of over 12 hours of competition. Hannah Stewart, Ellie Fields and Alex Bakker-Nogeur all still managing to produce superb swims, 2 seconds. 1 second and 9 seconds P.b’s. respectively.

Overall performances were excellent with a total of 62 P.b’s achieved, a reward for all their hard work in training pool.