Verulam Swimming Club

Saturday, 3rd July, 2010 - Peanuts League Round 3

Well done to all swimmers who represented the Club in round 3 of the Peanuts League.Out of all three rounds, this one was the toughest! We were missing a few swimmers who had  other commitments. We came 4^th in round 3, and 4th in the overall classification (out of 12 clubs competing in Division 2).

A big thank you to all swimmers who represented our club, and a special acknowledgement to those of you who were able to participate in all 3 rounds. Thank you to all swimmers from the reserve list who stepped in and swam, sometimes at very short notice, and thank you to all parents who helped out on pool side and to all who attend and cheered the team.

 A special thank you to the current U13 boys and girls who will be leaving the Peanuts team next year, some of whom  have represented the club in the last three years of this competition: Junior captains for 2010,  Stanley Tinkler and Amber Meakins and swimmers, Lucy Gatenby,  Hannah Ward,  Eleanor Morse, Kelly Allen, Michael Camerea,  Job Alexander and Oliver Slape.

Two Verulam Club records were broken on the night:

Boys, 9 yrs old 25m Breast by Samuel McConnell 22.36 (from 24.54, by Samuel McConnell)
Boys, 10 yrs old, 25m Free by Samson Alexander 16.10 (from 16.92, Michael Camerea).

Well done to Samson and Samuel!

Saturday, 19th June, 2010 -  Verulam ASC Summer IM Gala

Congratulations to Stanley, Jack and Tori for breaking club records at our club IM gala on Saturday, 19th June.  Follow the link for all the results.

12 Yr old Boys
Stanley Tinkler   50 Free    31.72      (from 32.11  held by Jack Donoghue)
Stanley Tinkler  100 IM  1:18.16      (from 1:20.15 held by Jack Donoghue)

16-18 yrs old boys
Jack Donoghue    50 Fly     29.63      (from 30.67 held by Jack Donoghue)

Pizza Night 3rd May, 2010

Swimmers and parents had an enjoyable evening and some tasty pizza.

Well done to all of our 2010 BAGCATS swimmers.

Farewell to Bricket Wood Party 25th February, 2010
Swimmers had a night of fun, floats and food as we said goodbye to Bricket Wood after 30 years.

The Intermediates, Juniors and Zofia,

the Seniors,

and the cakes!

St Albans Year 5 & 6 Primary Schools Trials Gala, 6th February, 2010.

Listed below are the 13 Verulam swimmers who took part. An amazing amount of 7,underlined were selected for the team for the Hertfordshire Primary Schools Championships.
Caroline Tack, Imogen Carroll, Lauren Hitchen, Katherine Daly, Matthew  Price, Max Bunting, Elena Baccas, Callum Keane, Eoin Kellet, Samson Alexander, Heather Kersey, Tommy Colbourne and Christopher Geddie.

 I hope that all our swimmers who participated in this year’s gala enjoyed themselves. You have all made fanatics PB’s too! Although it is a school gala, nevertheless, the swimmers do represent the club that they train in. You all made us  proud.

We wish the St Albans District team -  and our Verulam swimmers in it, success in the Herts Primary School Champs.  These are scheduled for 23rd April at the Woodside Leisure Centre pool.

All the Primary Schools students please check with your schools if they intend to enter Div 10 Swimming Championships for Primary Schools that will be run on 7^th May 2010 at Barnet Copthall. Any school can enter this gala.  This is a relay (4x25m Freestyle and Medley) competition with combined Years 5 & 6 teams. Deadline for entry is 1st April 2010.

Herts Major League, 30th January

What a weekend we had.The response we had for round 1&2 of Herts Major League at Hatfield was fantastic. The swimmers on the reserved list showed great commitment too.

We knew it was going to be a tough competition! Last year we were promoted to the 1^st Division from the 2^nd Division where we were always at the top of the league.   Yes, we finished in 6^th place on that day (out of 6 clubs competing) but the outcome was positive. We were there among the top clubs, not only in Herts, but nationally. Our team a cohesive unit and our swimmers swimming their best to achieve some fantastic PB’s, 18 in all. Well done to all our swimmers for theirs fantastic swims and team spirit, and especially for our youngest swimmers :Elena Baccas, Eoin Kellett, Callum Keane and Samson Alexander.

Winter Sprint Open Meet, 31st January
On Sunday 31 January,14 of our swimmers attended and the outcome was 15 individual PB’s and a score of  medals. Rosie Shreeves and Alex Jones received 1 silver each. Elijah Eaves-Bunce received 2 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze. (He won medal in every race he swam!). Job Alexander, 1 silver and narrowly missed 3 bronze medals, Isabel Donovan, and Bradley Benett narrowly missed bronze medals.

How do you measure excellence in the swimming club? Swim results, PBs? Yes, but also very important criteria are the ones seen on the daily basis. I can name a few; parents driving their children to training and sacrificing their weekends, parents working within the committee and as volunteers on the pool side to see that all the club’s swimmers reach their full potential, committed swimmers starting sessions on time, giving 100% attention to a coach, respect to other swimmers in the club. Team spirit and older swimmers helping out, and looking out after the younger one. Committed and professional coaching stuff.

Verulam Swimming Club gives swimmers a unique exposure and experiences that provide each young athlete with a ‘tool bag’ of mental and physical skills that they can take to whatever level of sport their aspire to and life. So let’s continue this.

'We trained  smart and hard’ and in that order!

Bricket Wood Social Club - we had a great time.

I Don't Believe You Want to Get Up and Dance (Oops!)