Monnow Swimming Club took a group of 8 experienced swimmers aged 9-12 to compete in the Cardiff Bay Sprint Meet at the Cardiff International 50m pool on the 16th July.

 

The swimmers raced 50m in all strokes and in a 50m kicking race within age groups.  Medals were awarded to the top 3 swimmers in each event  within an A and B category.  Each category had upper cut-off times and those swimmers who exceeded the category A cut-off time received a ‘speeding ticket’. The top 10 swimmers who accumulated enough points in all these races were invited to compete in a 200 Individual Medley within their age group.

 

Amelia Phillips (12) won 4 silvers; in freestyle, breatstroke, backstroke & 200 Individual Medley and a bronze in the kick race. Emma Nock (9) got a ‘speeding ticket’ in the breaststroke and a bronze medal in the backstroke. Abbi Agami (10) got a ‘speeding ticket’ in the butterfly and a bronze in the kicking race. Nanci Edwards (10) got a ‘speeding ticket’ in the butterfly . Philip Lawler  got a gold in the category B breaststroke.

 

The 200 Individual Medley was the pinnacle of the event and Amelia Phillips, Nanci Edwards and Abi Agami all qualified to compete.  Amelia Phillips came from behind on the last length in an exciting finish to take second place, almost catching the lead swimmer.

Article in The Monmouthshire Beacon

Monnow took a team of young swimmers aged between 8 and 12 to Newport to complete in the Junior Development Meet on the 13th May. They raced against swimmers from across south wales. The races covered all strokes and included distances from 50m up to 200m and the standards were high. Well done to all who took part. For some it was their first meet. Congratulations to Elliot Lynch-Warden who accumulated enough points in all his races to win a medal in the pentathlon.

Awards went to the following swimmers

Coaches Award: Laura Willis

Most Improved Swimmer: Verity Kedward

Sprint Distance winners

Girls: Rachel Brindley (>15), Katie Cameron (15), Lucy Creasey (13), Laura Willis (12), Amelia Phillips (11), Eleanor Emes (10), Daisy Phillips (9), Gwennan McConnell-Lawlor (8)

Boys: Jo Smith (>15), Ben Emes (14), Sam Finighan (13), Rhys Hughes (12), Eliot Lynch Warden (11), Phillip Lawler (10), Caleb Chick (9), Isaac Evans (8)

Distance Winners

Girls: Louise Sadler (15), Lucy Creasey (13), Laura Willis (12), Eleanor Emes (11), Bea Jones (10), Gwennan McConnell-Lawlor (9)

Boys: Ethan Chick (12), Iassa Evans (9), Oscar Evans (<9)

Monnow swimming club back in action after summer break

 

After a summer break during August the Monnow swimmers started training again in September. The first gala after the break was the Monmouth County Championships held in Newport on the 20th September. The club took swimmers to compete in all the age categories from 9-10 and under up to 15 and over.

 

They were joined by swimmers from Chepstow and Abergavenny swimming clubs. In this gala they swam in 100m and 200 m races as well as the usual 50 m sprint races.  Monnow managed to win 7 gold medals, 19 silver medals and 17 bronze medals and to set 7 new club records. Many swimmers were also able to beat their own all important personal bests.

 

The club would like to thank the coaches Paula Willis and Jacqueline McConnell-Lawlor for organising and encouraging the swimmers on the day. In fact there have been some recent changes in the coaching staff with the retirement of long standing head coach Jane Samwell and the club is now searching for an experienced head coach to replace her.  The current coaching staff are also undertaking more advance Amateur Swimming Association qualifications and there are others training to become coaches as the club continues to grow and build upon its existing success.

 

Monnow Swimming Club held another annual sprint club championships on June 26th at Monmouth Sports Club. Swimmers from the ages of 8 through to 16 competed in all strokes and Individual Medley races. Such was the number of swimmers in attendance that some of the races were completed the following week on Sunday 3rd July. The club’s 9 and under 25m backstroke record was broken by Daisy Phillips aged 9. There were also many other memorable races and plenty of enthusiastic support from parents. The club would like to thank the coaches, the volunteers, the timekeepers and all the parents who were there to support their children and who all contributed to making another well-attended and successful event.