Newsflash

Black Lion Development Gala 3rd December 2011

Success is sweet as swimmers make a splash 

Faversham Swimming Club held their heads high after scooping third place at the recent Black Lion Development Gala held at the Medway Sports Centre, Gillingham.

Faversham entered with a strong and determined Squad with seven of the Squad picking up ‘speeding tickets’ (badges of honour) for exceeding times specified by the Amateur Swimming Association. Young Richard Catton’s blistering pace in the boys 11 years and under 50 metre backstroke earned him a ticket in an outstanding time of 44.36. There was no stopping Ben Collins, full of grit and determination, as he received two speeding tickets for his remarkable swims in the boys 15 years and under 50 metre backstroke (36.48) and 50 metre butterfly (36.09).

Faversham’s other speeders were Blaine Ramsden in the boys 11 years 50 metre freestyle (34.81), Alice Searley girls 11 years 50 metre freestyle (37.59), Joanne Hawkins ladies 18 years and under 50 metre backstroke (36.44), Jessica Stephens girls 15 years and under 50 metre butterfly (35.70) and Tom Pearce in the mens 18 years and under backstroke (33.48).

Nothing could wipe the smile from Young Joseph Russell’s face as he was awarded the Tesco Gala Star for some sensational swims in what was his very first Development Gala.

Joanne Hawkins collected the Tesco Gala Shield for producing an avalanche of perfect performances.

Swimmers snatching first place were Ruby Scott girls 9 years 50 metre freestyle, Nicola Crouch girls 9 years 50 metre breaststroke, Oliver Nye boys 10 years 50 metre breaststroke, Harry McKenna boys 10 years 100 metre individual medley, 9 years 50 metre butterfly and 10 years 50 metre freestyle. Alice Searley girls 11 years 50 metre breaststroke, Blaine Ramsden boys 12 years 50 metre backstroke, Lydia Scott ladies 18 years 100 metre individual medley, Joanne Hawkins girls 15 years 50 metre freestyle, Emily Westlake ladies 18 years 50 metre freestyle and the 18 years and under 4 x 25 metre mixed freestyle relay team.

Those awarded with second place were Joseph Russell boys 9 years 50 metre freestyle and 11 years 50 metre freestyle, Oliver Nye boys 10 years 50 metre backstroke and 9 years 50 metre breaststroke, Dervla Murphy girls 10 years 100 metre individual medley, Richard Catton boys 11 years 50 metre breaststroke, Olivia Hawkins girls 11 years 50 metre butterfly and Molly McKenna girls 12 years 100 metre individual medley. Marty Boorman boys 15 years 50 metre breaststroke and 50 metre freestyle, Emily Westlake ladies 18 years 50 metre breaststroke, Tom Pearce mens 18 years 50 metre butterfly. The 9 years and under 4 x 25 metre mixed freestyle relay team, the 9 years and under 4 x 25 metre mixed medley relay team, the 11 years and under 4 x 25 metre mixed medley relay team, the 15 years and under mixed medley relay team and the 18 years and under 4 x 25 metre mixed medley relay team.

Third place went to Ruby Scott girls 9 years 50 metre backstroke, Nicola Crouch girls 9 years 50 metre butterfly, Emily Ing Girls 10 years 50 metre freestyle, Olivia Hawkins girls 15 years 50 metre backstroke, Blaine Ramsden boys 12 years 100 metre individual medley. Flora Westlake girls 12 years 50 metre breaststroke, Nicole Collins girls 12 years 50 metre freestyle, Scott Kendall mens 18 years 100 metre individual medley, the 10 years and under4 x 25 metre mixed freestyle relay team, the 11 years and under 4 x 25 metre mixed freestyle relay team and the 12 years and under 4 x 25 metre mixed medley relay team.
East Invicta eXcel PDF Print E-mail

East Invicta eXcel   

    
East Invicta eXcel has just recently been formed – Your club is one of the founding members. These FAQs should answer some of your basic questions. If you have more please speak to your head coach or contact Mark Walsh on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

1. What is East Invicta eXcel?
The eXcel was formed so that clubs could better share their resources to allow our swimmers to better compete on a regional or national level.

2. How does that work?
There are three main themes underpinning East Invicta eXcel
- We will compete as one team at Regional and National championships
- We will have a eXcel Performance Squad  for Regional and National championships AND an eXcel Development Squad for development swimmers
- We will support our clubs NOT replace them

3. When does this begin?
The  EI eXcel club has just recently been formed and registered with the ASA. That means for this year’s South East Regional and National Championships we will be competing as a unified East Invicta eXcel team.
Training events are now being planned for the Performance squad and the Development squad training events are now being developed. Your coaches will be able to keep you updated.

4. What clubs are involved?
Currently , Folkestone, Dover, Ashford, Canterbury, Hythe, Herne Bay and Faversham. Involvement has to be renewed yearly.

5. So how do swimmers get involved?
At the moment the coaches committee have agreed that entry to the Performance squad will be based on either achieving a qualifying time for the South East Regional Championships or having been selected for one of the relay teams.
Entry requirements for the Development squad will be based on achieving Kent County Championship times.

6. Will the Development squad compete as one team?
No
The purpose of the Development squad to offer additional training opportunities to those already delivered your club. Being a member of the Development squad should help our swimmers advance to the Performance squad.
Swimmers will continue to compete for their home clubs in local galas, County championships, Arena Leagues and the Kent Junior Leagues.

7. How will my club get recognition at the Regional and National Championships?
East Invicta eXcel will have ‘joint recognition’ kit. This means that the swimmers’ home club will be prominent on the East Invicta eXcel Kit
When competing for eXcel, names of home clubs will be credited in the event programmes.

8. And what about the Coaches – Won’t they loose out?
You clubs have involved your coaches in the formation of the eXcel and they will still be THE leading guide for your swimmers. The ‘extra’ opportunities offered by eXcel are to support your club and its coaches.
Moreover, as the ASA has been very involved with this effort extra training and CPD opportunities will be available to our coaches.

9. How many times will the eXcel squads train or compete together?
There will be very few eXcel competitions on a yearly basis – mostly National and Regional Championships.
From a training perspective it is planned to have 3-4 training events this competitive season for the Performance Squad. The Development squad programme is currently being designed but is likely to be 2-3 events this competitive season.
It is envisaged that this programme will be expanded for the 2011/2012 season.

10. How will this be funded?
As with all extra training some of the cost will have to e covered by parents though we will keep this to a minimum. There will be no extra ‘monthly fees’ but the costs will be related to additional pool hire or coaching fees for ‘visiting coaches/experts.
The East Invicta ASA have committed to assist with funding and we are working with the ASA to help with additional support.


East Invicta eXcel has been established to share our resources to compete against the best in the South East and the Country

The performance squad WILL compete as the East Invicta eXcel team at this year’s Regional and National Championships
The performance squad WILL train together at designated training events

East Invicta eXcel WILL establish a development squad to give our up and coming swimmers the best opportunities to advance

East Invicta eXcel IS NOT a replacement for your club – It is there to support your club and your club supports East Invicta eXcel

Check out our film .... on http://www.btinternet.com/~east.invicta/