On Saturday 11th June a team of Monnow swimmers represented the club at the Hoover Shield in Pontypool, swimming against Cwmbran and Rhonda.  Our swimmers all worked incredibly hard, particularly our older swimmers, who had to swim a higher number of events because numbers of swimmers in the 13 and over age group were low.  Some of the swimmers swam up by several age groups to help with relay teams.  A special mention needs to go to Sam Finighan, who won the boys 13 and under backstroke and breaststroke and came second in the butterfly.  Also Laura Willis who won the girls 13 and under backstroke and Amelia Phillips who won the girls 11 and under freestyle.  Can I also extend the club’s thanks to Theresa and Paula, our coaches poolside; and to the parents who assisted with officiating and marshalling the swimmers.

Monnow Swimmers win 5 medals at South East Wales Junior Development Meet

Monnow Swimming Club had a great presence at this years South East Wales Junior Development meet at Newport International Pool  on Saturday 14th May.  Thirteen of the Club’s young swimmers, some of whom were competing for the first time, were up against tough competition from nine other teams in the area, including the bigger clubs like Cardiff and Newport.

Monnow swimmers achieved a fantastic five medals in the pentathlon event, with Ethan Chick coming 8th, Raphael Cackett 9th, Ben Willis 10th, Isaac Evans 4th, and Alex Collins 9th, in their respective age groups.

All swimmers put in a fantastic performance in all of the heats they entered – every swim produced a personal best time, with some very notable reductions in times for some swimmers and events.

Monnow achieved an incredible 13 Top Five places by Gwennan McConnell-Lawlor, Isaac Evans, Eleanor Emes, Ethan Chick and Phillip Lawler; five of which were in events swam for the first time.

A big thanks goes to Club Coaches, Jacqueline McConnell-Lawlor and Paula Willis, all the swimmers and the parents who supported.

Rhian Baylis aged 11

Monnow Swimming Club celebrated a year of outstanding swimming at it’s annual awards night on Friday 4th December at Monmouth Rugby Club.

Presentations commenced with the Coaches Award for Swimmer of the Year, which went to Louise Sadler age 14, followed by the Coaches Award for Most Improved Swimmer which was awarded to Elliot Lynch-Warden, age10 (pictured).

The Club Championship awards were presented by the Club’s President, Mr Alan Roberts, with trophies for each age group for boys and girls, for long and short distance swimming.  A total of 23 swimmers scooped an award – with some of the older swimmers winning both categories!  A further five swimmers were presented with a goodie bag for the Competitive Swimming Award and Isaac Evans age 8 won the Entry Group Award.

The Club’s Chair, Maria Smith was also pleased to announce several Club records having been beaten this year and a number of new records being set.  Finally, thanks were given to all the Club’s volunteers who help run the Club and especially to the Club coaches who teach to such a high standard and with unwavering commitment and enthusiasm.

Monnow swimmers take 2nd place trophy

Monnow Swimming Club hosted the Monmouthshire Challenge swimming gala on Saturday 21st November at Monmouth School Sports Club.  This annual event for Clubs within Monmouthshire to compete as a team, is always an enjoyable and noisy event on the Club’s swimming calendar.  This year saw Monnow coming in second place, with Chepstow winning the top spot.

The Club held it’s annual Short Distance Club Championships on Sunday 10th October.   33 members took part in the two hour competition where the 8 and 9 year olds swam 25m in each of the four strokes, whilst the 10 years and above swam 50m.  All swimmers then competed in the 100m Individual Medley.  All the swimmers – from our newest members to some of the long-standing swimmers – had a great evening.  The results will be revealed at the Club’s Annual Award night on Friday 4th December!

Isaac Evans, 8 wins 3 medals

Monnow Swimming Club competed in the Monmouthshire County Championships in Newport on the 12th and 13th September and won a total of 37 medals including an impressive 18 gold medals.

Competing against Abergavenny, Chepstow and Caldicot, 21 swimmers from Monnow Swimming Club put in an impressive performance over two afternoons, with representation in 23 out of 28 races.

In the Age 8 and Under category, Gwennan McConnell-Lawlor won two golds and a bronze, whilst Isaac Evans received two silvers and a bronze. Eleanor Emes got a gold and silver and Isabella Worgan won a gold, a silver and two bronzes for the 9-10 year olds. Amongst the 11-12 year olds, Ben Smith got three golds out of his three races, Ellie Brindley managed three silvers and Lucy Creasey aged 12, claimed a remarkable 10 gold medals.　 Louise Sadler scooped three silvers and a bronze in the 13-14 category, and finally in the Over 15s Joe Smith won a gold and silver and his sister Alice, a silver and two bronzes.

The Club would like to thank all swimmers who took part. Jane Sambrook, Head Coach says “All of our swimmers did well in their heats – they may not all have achieved a top three place but they put so much effort in and achieved great results.”

Isabella wins gold!

Monnow Swimming Club had a great presence at this year’s Newport Junior Development Meet held on Saturday 16th May at the International Swimming Centre in Newport. Our swimmers were up against tough competition from several teams around the South East Region of Wales, including those from Cardiff, Newport, Methyr Tydfil and Chepstow.  Ten young Monnow swimmers competed in the event and Monnow achieved a fantastic six medals, including one gold, two silver and three bronze.

The Gold medal went to Isabella Worgan for the 10 yrs 50m Butterfly.  Isabella won a further Silver medal for the 10 yrs 50m Backstroke and was joined by Ellie Brindley, who won a Silver medal for the 12yrs 200m Freestyle event.  Bronze medals went to Eleanor Emes, who won two Bronze medals in the 10yrs category for her 50m Breaststroke and 100m Individual Medley.  Laura Willis won her Bronze medal for the 12 yrs 200m Individual Medley race.

Monnow swimmers have had another successful club championship competition against the other local swimming clubs from Chepstow, Abergavenny and Caldicot.

More details and all results to be posted here soon.

New Season Events Calendar published

Please find details of upcoming events that Monnow are involved with here.

Monnow Swimming Dates 2014-15

New season launch at the Boys’ School Pool

New season launch invitation 2014