Droitwich Dolphins Newsletter. May / June 2007     Number 3                         

(Downloadable from www.droitwichdolphins.co.uk – please check web site for regular updates)

Swimming News

County Championship performances

Over 30 swimmers competed at the recent County Championships held over 2 weekends at Wolverhampton and Worcester, grabbing a total of 28 medals in age related finals, and a further 25 top 6 positions.

Robin Williams led the way with an impressive 10 first places in his age group, and went on to claim victory as County Champion in the 50 metres freestyle. Robin was also runner up in a further 3 County Championship finals.

Top performance in the Ladies came from Roxanne Sweeney winning 3 age group events.

Other medal winners include Emma Houlston, Anthony Redfern, Katherine Llewellyn, Georgina Buck, James Morrison, Vicki Vaughan and Lauren Hall-Annison.

Overall 116 Personal Best times were set by our swimmers at these Championships, and all are to be congratulated on their performances.

Worcester Winter League Final

This League was split into 3 finals, with Droitwich competing against Stourbridge B, Wyre Forest and Perry Beeches. It was a very exciting and closely contested gala, with the Dolphins securing a well-earned second place behind Wyre Forest. Well done to the following swimmers who won their individual events: Emma Houlston, Roxanne Sweeney, Amy Piper, Robin Williams and Rebecca Peake. There were additional first places for the mixed 13/U Medley Relay and mixed open freestyle relay teams.

Nuneaton Junior League First Round.

For some swimmers this was their first taste of swimming at an external competitive event, so well done to all those taking part in this League for the first time.

The ‘A’ team competed at Bromsgrove and came 4^th with 157 points beating Redditch and Rugby. Individual 1^st places went to Alice O’Toole in the 11/U  backstroke and Sam Cave in the 9 years fly event with a further first place in the mixed age boys freestyle relay. Jack Vaughan, Janina Silvester, and Robert Llewellyn all secured second places.

The ‘B’ team Gala was held at Stetchford on the same evening, and unfortunately we were unable to raise a full team. Nevertheless, the team scored 126 points and were 5^th overall. Congratulations to Thomas Garfield who was first in the 9years 25m breaststroke, and Daniel Hartwright in the 11/U backstroke, whilst Michael Osborne was placed second in the 11/U fly event.

Betty George and Frank Hawkins Diddy Gala

This is a special report from the Ladies Junior Club Captain, Rebecca Peake.

On Saturday the 14^th April we held the annual Betty George and Frank Hawkins gala. The evening was very successful.

We started the night with a presentation. Robin Williams was presented with three junior county championship trophies for 200m Freestyle, 100m Backstroke and 100m Butterfly, to add to his ever-growing collection. This is what all swimmers should be aiming for but it does take years of very hard work.

            I would just like to say well done to all of the swimmers that participated in this event. Everyone behaved well, and there was a good team spirit. There were lots of personal bests on the night, which was really good. I am glad to say there were only a few disqualifications, if you were disqualified, find out why so that you can get it right next time, don’t give up, the best swimmers have all been disqualified at some point, but they learnt from it, and still went on to be the best.

            In this gala, points are awarded for the first six places in each sex/age group. The points from all four races are then added together. Swimmers that came first overall, remember to come to the presentation evening next January to receive your awards. These are the final results:

            For a lot of the younger swimmers this was their first competitive experience, I hope you all enjoyed it and will go on to participate in future club championships. These events are important to get your personal best times recorded so that you can see the improvements that you are making, and so that the coaches can select the right swimmers for the external galas.

Thank you to all the swimmers that stayed to the end to cheer on friends. At external galas all swimmers are expected to stay until the end to support their team. Finally thank you to all the parents/officials that arrange these events for us.

Well done to everyone!

Rebecca Peake

Junior Club Captain 

Haden Hill Open Meet

On Sunday 29^th April a small number of swimmers participated in the Haden Hill Open Gala at Wolverhampton competing against swimmers from 35 other clubs. The swimmers did remarkably well, with Robin Williams winning the 100 free and fly, 200 free and placed second in the 100 back. Josh Deacon was second in his age group in the free and breaststroke, and third in the back and fly 50m events, whilst Georgina Buck was 3^rd in the 50 fly and 8^th in the 100 fly, Ben Rimington also secured 4th place in his age group breaststroke final.

If any swimmers are interested in participating in Open Meets, which are scheduled throughout the year, please contact Katharine Buck for more information and check the Notice Board regularly.

Dates for your diary.

Friday 11^th May – 100IM  Club Championships

This is a good opportunity for swimmers to get/ improve their qualifying times for the County Sprints in September.

Nuneaton League Round 2. – Saturday 12^th May.

The ‘A’ team will be swimming at Wombourne and the ‘B’ team at Tamworth. Please check the Notice Board and indicate your availability to swim as promptly as possible. If we do not have a full team for the age group relays and an over age swimmer has to compete, the team does not pick up any points for that event.

I would very much like a parent attending either of these events to write a short report for inclusion in the next newsletter. Any volunteers please?

Friday 25^th May – 800 FS Club Championships

Saturday 26^th May – 1500 FS Club Championships

These events are aimed at the older swimmers. If you are unsure whether or not to enter, please speak to your coach.

Nuneaton League Round 3 – Saturday 23^rd June. Check notice board nearer the time for team selections and venues.

Friday 29^th June – Club  50m   Freestyle and Butterfly Championships

Saturday 30^th June – Club 50m   Backstroke and Breaststroke Championships

All swimmers should compete in these events wherever possible. Again this is an opportunity to get County Qualifying times.

Other News

The annual Droitwich Dolphins AGM has been re-scheduled for Sunday 24^th June. All parents are invited, and this is a good opportunity to discuss any issues you may have, and to learn a little more about the Club and its aims.

The Club is participating in the Wychavon Sports Day to be held on Monday 28^th May. (Bank Holiday). Further details will be on the Notice Board shortly.

And finally………

The new squad pricing is now in operation. Please ensure you have amended your standing order to reflect the new rates.

Monthly Course Fees  Dolphins  £13.50

            Sharks    £ 15.50

Bronze    £18

Silver      £22

Gold       £26

Club       £18

Student Member £20 per year

Swimmers resigning from the Club must put their resignations in writing to the Committee. (Sharon Ellson – Membership secretary)  Failure to do this may result in administrative charges being made, as the Club will write to swimmers who have missed 3 weeks training.

Information Officer: Lesley Rimington. Please contact me if you have a news item, which you would like, included in a future newsletter.

e-mail: rimington@tinyworld.co.uk