As members of Tenby Dolphins will know, this is generally the quietest time of year for competitive swimming, with many youngsters ramping up their training after a comparative lull over the summer holidays.
Normally September is a competition-free month, which allows the various coaching teams across the country to bring their athletes' fitness levels up in time for the autumn calendar.
However, since 2006 and the successful London 2012 Olympic bid, the UK Schools Games has been placed in the calendar to allow our sporting stars of the future the opportunity to take part in a multi-sport event. The timing takes advantage of the empty university campuses prior to return of the students later in the month.
UK Schools
Games 2009
This year, the UKSG were based in Cardiff with the two-day swimming competition being held at the Wales National Pool in Swansea, where swimmers of 16 years and younger were representing eight regional teams from across the UK, namely: Wales, Ireland, Scotland S & E, Scotland N & W, England Central, England South, England North and England East.
Bethan Davie was selected for the Welsh swimming team as the result of some strong performances earlier in the year. After taking a week off after the ASA Nationals in Sheffield in July, she has been training hard through the summer holidays. Although she came away from Sheffield as a medallist once again this year, Bethan was not happy with her performances and viewed the UKSG as the ideal opportunity to finish the 2008-2009 season with a flourish.
We are delighted to report that all the hard work over the summer paid dividends and Bethan swam to convincing victories in both the 100m and 200m breaststroke, defeating several older swimmers, and her main age group rival on the British swimming scene who had prevailed at the Nationals in July.
On top of the two gold medals, Bethan also swam to an impressive new Welsh junior record for 200m breaststroke for long course (50m) swims. Bethan, who was still 13 on the day of the race, swam 2:34.13 to set the new benchmark for Welsh swimmers under 16 years of age. Her new time now places her in the top 10 for women's 200m breaststroke in the UK rankings. Fantastic swimming Beth!
Forthcoming Events
October 2: Senior Team relay gala at Pembroke. Please check notice board for selection. No withdrawals please!
October 3: Llanelli Autumn Meet, Llanelli. Closed.
October 4: RAOB Gala. This is a very important meet for our seven to 10-year-old swimmers. Please make sure you go along if you are lucky enough to be selected. Check notice board for selection.
October 24 - 25: Pembrokeshire Age Groups, Haverfordwest.
November 7: Neath and Nexus Valleys Open Meet. Another good meet. Recommended.
November 20 - 22: British Gas Welsh Schools and Swim Wales Winter Nationals. WNP, Swansea. Tough qualifying time. See notice board.
November 27 - 29: Welsh Capital Open Meet. At Cardiff International Pool. A better option for you younger guys who don't have qualifying times for the Welsh Winter Meet.
Club News
Just a couple of things to bring to your attention.
We have made a number of members aware that their Swim Wales affiliation fees and club memberships are not up to date. It is imperative that you rectify this immediately. Without membership you will not be allowed to swim and will be barred access to the sessions. You have been warned!
You will all have realised that the club squad structure has been reorganised this autumn in line with the requirements of the governing body's long term athlete development plans. It always takes a while to get used to a change, so please be patient.
On the same theme, we have noticed that several of our young Junior Squad swimmers are perhaps doing more hours than they really need to at this stage. Please do not exceed the recommended hours for the swimmers age and ability. Over-training just makes the swimmers tired, and they will soon get fed up. Enjoyment is the key!
The first competitions of the year are coming up over the first weekend of October. Our younger swimmers are somewhat starved of competitions these days, so let's make the most of the opportunity and prepare ourselves properly. Pay real attention to what the coaches are telling you in training, try hard and the results will come!
Following on from the announcement that Bethan Davie has re-qualified for the Welsh National Youth Squad, we are very pleased to report that two of our club members who train in the county programme are also making steps in the same direction. Niamh Slack has been selected for the Swim Wales South West Skills Squad 1 and Hannah Saunders for the Swim Wales South West Skills Squad 2. Very well done indeed girls. We hope you enjoy the squad training camps over the coming season.