It has been yet another busy and successful year one for Bristol Central speed swimmers, coaches, team managers, helpers and parents. I will try and capture the highlights in this report.

Since September we have had to face the new challenge of finding alternative swimming venues due to the fire at the University Pool. This has given us the opportunity to use the school pool at the Oasis academy in Hengrove which has been successful for younger swimmers. We aim to continue to use these sessions even when the university pool is open again. Thanks to Marion and the coaches for coordinating the difficult task of finding alternative venues to enable swimmers to continue training. Thanks to parents and swimmers who have continued to make the training sessions.

Once again we have welcomed a number of new swimmers to the club from other areas and clubs. We hope that they have settled into our sessions and enjoyed competing in league and open competitions. It is good to see a number of younger swimmers joining through our sessions at Jubilee and St Mary Redcliffe.

This year has seen an increase in the numbers of parent helpers at league competitions and open meets. We are continuing to encourage more people to undertake Team Manager, Child Protection and other relevant training to ensure they are equipped to support our swimmers. All helpers are subject to CRB checks to ensure the highest level of protection for swimmers.

We are continuing to attract younger swimmers into the club from Swim School and through the sessions at Jubilee Pool. This is very encouraging as we need to continue to build up our team of competitive swimmers. Thanks to all the Coaches who give of their free time to support and coach the swimmers in all our sessions at Jubilee, Redcliffe and the University. Thanks to Marion who tirelessly links with schools and Bristol City to ensure we access all the support we can and encourages new swimmers to join.

A successful Skills Development event took place at St Mary Redcliffe involving 31 swimmers over 2 Sundays in May. Thanks to Marion for organising this and the coaches who took part.

A number of our swimmers have continued to train with City of Bristol Squad. These are swimmers who have achieved ASA SW regional qualifying times. This means that they will have up to 7 sessions with City but will continue to train with and compete for their host club – Bristol Central.

We continue to put results of competitions on the website and trying to include other information. We would like to encourage more reports and stories of events so if anybody would like to contribute a story about their experience of a competition or anything else please let me know and I will pass on to Derek Milliner and Carl Johnson. We are also continuing to record all the results to provide a list of times for each swimmer.

Swimming Competitions during the year

National (Speedo) League

We took part in the B final last December 2008 in Keynsham where we were 2nd and 10th overall in League 2 - an excellent result. This is one of our most important league events of the year that often provides some exciting competition. Thanks to Keith and Richard for managing the team.

Cotswold

Cotswold League B Final at Keynsham proved a nail-biting affair as four of the six clubs competing held the lead at different times. For Bristol Central their appearance at the B Final represented an improvement during the four league galas this season and a step up from last year's C Final place. With three of the 52 events to go, Bristol Central were leading by two points however were just pipped to the post by Backwell.  Congratulations to Central and thanks to Richard for managing this team.

Mini Series

We await the final gala in this league later this month. Once again there are some new swimmers competing in these galas providing their first taste of competitions. Thanks to Karen and Lee for coordinating and managing this league and for other parents who have helped at galas.

Southern Junior League

Bristol Central finished 24th this year in the Southern Junior League – an opportunity for 9-12 year olds to take part in a high quality competition against clubs across the south of England. Thanks to Nicky Bryant, Sue Sharley and Phil Hawkins for managing this team.

Some of our youngest swimmers took part in a Junior Novice Gala in April providing them with their first taste of competition. Several Central swimmers were successful in the Bristol Junior and Secondary School Galas during the year

Gloucester County Championships

Bristol Central had one of its best years yet at the Gloucester County championships, better known as ‘Gloucester Blocks’.

A total of 26 swimmers took part in individual events – the youngest being 9 years and the oldest 20+! Bristol Central swimmers achieved 1st Place in 15 events - including one Championship final where Amber Brewer won the 100 Breast Stroke in an age group best time. Congratulations go to Finn Taylor, Rachel Curnock, Amber Brewer, Georgia Sharley, Patrick Noon and Lara Loescher who all achieved 1st Places.

Our swimmers made the Championship Finals on 25 occasions where we achieved 1 gold, 9 silver and 3 bronze medals. Finn Taylor swam in 5 Finals where he was placed 2nd 3 times and 3rd once giving him his most successful Blocks so far.

Bristol Central swimmers also achieved several 2nd and 3rd Places with a number finishing within the first 8 giving well-deserved medals to younger swimmers. Particular congratulations go to Georgia Sharley who at 9 Years old was our youngest medal winner in her first Gloucester Blocks coming away with gold, silver and bronze medals.

Thanks to Nicky Booth for organising the entries and the rotas for each gala and for all the Team Managers and Chaperones for supporting the swimmers. 

South West Regional Championships

Six Bristol Central swimmers qualified for South West Regional Age Group and Youth Championships in May/June held at Millfield School. Congratulations to Amber Brewer, Patrick Noon, Chloe Bryant, Finn Taylor, Steven Hood and Lara Loesher.

Finn Taylor has also achieved a National Qualifying time for the 1500m Open Water event and 800m free (at Welsh Nationals held in Swansea at Easter).

Amber Brewer was selected for the Gloucester County Team competing in Sheffield in October. She was 2nd in the 100 Breaststroke doing a Personal best time that was just .30 outside national time. Well done to Amber.

National Youth Championships

Finn Taylor qualified for and competed in the 800m Freestyle at the National Youth Championships in Sheffield in August. He swam well and achieved a personal best time.

Open Meets

In April 17 swimmers competed in the Salisbury open meet where we achieved several 1st, 2nd and 3rd places.

Bristol North Open Meet at Hutton Moor was once again well supported by our younger swimmers with 28 swimmers taking part – some 9 and 10 year olds for the first time. This is an excellent competition for young swimmers as it gives them a taste of a high standard of competition. Well done to all who achieved positions and PBs.

In October the annual trip to Cornwall took place for the Carn Brea Open Meet that was held in Penzance. 16 swimmers took part and between them they brought home 36 medals. Finn and Amber set competition best times in the 200 Freestyle and 100 Breaststroke respectively. Well done to all the swimmers.

We look forward to another successful swimming year next year when swimmers will be competing in many of the same competitions and meets as this year. Well done to all the swimmers who train hard and enthusiastically represent Bristol Central and to all the parents and carers who support them.

Jean Trewhitt