FSWSO » ASA South West Region News » August 2008

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• 

  Records fall as England Central crowned Swimming Champions at UK School Games

  Posted: August 30th, 2008, 4:14pm CDT

  Day One

  England Central’s young swimmers showed their promise on the first day of the UK School Games (Friday 29 August 2008) at the Millfield Swimming pool. Half of the 44 swimming events (a full Olympic programme of 32 events and 12 Paralympic ones) took place, with the eight regions battling out for the medals. And it was England Central who led on points at the end of the first day, with 130, followed by England East with 122 and England North finishing third with 116 points.

  16-year-old Tsubasa Nakagawa, the current British junior record holder (SC) for the 50m Freestyle, was one of the Gold medal winners for England Central. He won the Men’s 50m Freestyle in 24.41, with Ross Mcauliffe taking the silver in 24.75 and Adam Ingdledew, 15, England East, taking bronze in 25.21.

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  British Disability Swimming at cutting edge of technology

  Posted: August 29th, 2008, 10:16am CDT

  British Disability Swimming has been actively involved within the development of a new water-proof heart rate telemetry system which looks set to revolutionise the world of swimming coaching.

  British Disability Swimming provides support for the athletes and coaches on the World Class Pathway through their High Performance Science Team, which includes professionals from the English Institute of Sport (EIS), the National Governing Body and Higher Education. The High Performance Science Team, led by Performance Scientist Cath Gilby, have been working alongside an Italian-based company, Hosand, to develop a water resistant ‘real-time’ heart rate monitor.

  The system that Hosand developed for dry-land training allows the heart rates of up to 32 athletes to be viewed on a laptop during one training session and 18 months ago EIS North West Physiology Technician Paul Barratt working alongside Hosand began developing a way of waterproofing the system.

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  Lucozade Sport and British swimming announce official supply deal

  Posted: August 29th, 2008, 10:13am CDT

  Lucozade Sport and British Swimming, the UK’s national governing body for swimming, are pleased to announce an official supply deal which offers a range of sports nutrition products which will help British Swimming’s World Class team perform to the highest level.

  Installed as an official sports drink and recovery product supplier, Lucozade Sport will supply the governing body with a range of contaminant-tested sports nutrition products. The products will play an integral role in the preparation, performance and recovery of elite swimmers in training and competition. The partnership also provides British Swimming members with a discount on the range of Lucozade Sport high performance products.

• 

  Strictly Mark Foster

  Posted: August 29th, 2008, 10:10am CDT

  Five time Olympian Mark Foster has been named as part of the new line up for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing competition where he will be looking to swap his swimming trunks for his dancing shoes as he aims to conquer the dance floor. The six time World Champion has broken eight world records and was recently given the honour of being flag bearer for Team GB at the Beijing Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.

  Foster’s dance partner is Hayley Holt a professional Ballroom dancer from New Zealand and like Foster this is her first appearance on the BBC’s popular dancing programme. Foster likes to be vocal about issues he feels strongly about and warns the Strictly Come Dancing judges to watch out.

  Foster says: "I'm sure I'll enjoy some good natured banter with them. I was an avid viewer when my friend Colin Jackson was the runner-up in 2005, and understand that this in a once-in-a-lifetime chance."

• 

  Swimming Superstars give back

  Posted: August 29th, 2008, 10:04am CDT

  Following record breaking performances from the Great British team in the Water Cube in Beijing, barely have the country’s best swimmers feet touched the ground in the UK before they are back in the pool once more.

  Working with Total Swimming the countries best swimmers are sharing these Olympic experiences with swimmers of all ages through a series of road shows and events all over the UK and Ireland.

  With a number of 2-day events open to swimmers of all ages and abilities, plus a series of UK wide club visits (The Aquateer Roadshows) Total Swimming’s team of ‘Aquateers’ are excited about giving back to the sport.

  Chris Cook, double Olympian and double Commonwealth Champion is working hard to share his knowledge and experience, “I’m excited about passing on what I have learnt in my career and helping swimmers understand what is important in swimming and why I know it’s such a great sport.”

• 

  Rebecca Adlington expected to open UK School Games

  Posted: August 28th, 2008, 11:39am CDT

  ASA South West Region Swim 21 Clubs given opportunities to secure tickets for the 2008 UK School Games have cause to be even more delighted on hearing reports that Rebecca Adlington, the double Olympic gold medallist, is expected to open the event for 1500 elite athletes in Bath. The success of Team GB in Beijing and the presence of Adlington will no doubt further inspire performances and the morale of PE staff and teachers.

  Steve Grainger, chief executive of the Youth Sport Trust, the body which organises the Games underwritten with Government funding of £1.5m a year up to 2012, says "We are trying to replicate that experience as closely as we can, through the village, the Opening and Closing ceremonies, the transport to and from venues. This is the most diverse Games of the three we have had so far, with events in Bath, Bristol, Millfield School in Somerset and at Filton College. There is every chance that several competitors at these Games will go on to represent GB in London in 2012."

• 

  Rebecca Adlington opens UK School Games

  Posted: August 28th, 2008, 11:39am CDT

  ASA South West Region Swim 21 Clubs given opportunities to secure tickets for the 2008 UK School Games have cause to be even more delighted to hear that Rebecca Adlington, the double Olympic gold medallist, opened the event for 1500 elite athletes in Bath. The success of Team GB in Beijing and the presence of Adlington will no doubt further inspire performances and the morale of PE staff and teachers.

  The ceremony, which was held at Bath Rugby Football Club, welcomed 15,00 elite athletes from across nine sporting disciplines. Alongside the 2008 athletes, who paraded with their home teams were twelve Olympic and Paralympic athletes including Olympic swimming gold medallist Duncan Goodhew, Paralympic swimmer Giles Long and Olympic judo medallist Kate Howley.

  Double gold medallist Adlington then took to the stage to declare the event officially open, with an accompanying firework display to finish.

• 

  Youth Sport Trust seeks squad STARS

  Posted: August 28th, 2008, 11:30am CDT

  Youth Sport Trust are seeking applications for the new STARS (Supporting Talented Athletes on the Road to Success) Squad Scholarship programme. To be considered, schools must have:
  

  • At least four high-performing young athletes in any sport.
  • A desire and commitment to developing a Squad culture.
  • An understanding of the specific difficulties facing their talented young athletes.

  Why are they launching STARS Scholarships?
  Potential Elite Athletes often appear in clusters rather than as isolated performers. This is no co-incidence. Talented young people working together can drive, inspire, challenge and support each other to achieve their potential. The Scholarship focuses on developing the mental side of elite performance. Becoming a champion involves natural talent but turning talent into triumph requires: ambition, hard work, coaching, determination and support.

• 

  Millfield ambitions

  Posted: August 28th, 2008, 11:23am CDT

  Millfield's ambitions to regain their status as the leading swimming force in the South West from National Swimming League champions Plymouth Leander are reflected in the appointment of head coach Jolyon Finck from Australia.

  Finck has coached at the Melbourne Vicentre Swimming Club in Albert Park, Victoria which has produced numerous champions including Matt Welsh, Giaan Rooney, Michael Klim, Sarah-Jane D’arcy, Brett Hawke and Daniel Kowalski.

  MVC's Head Coach, Ian Pope, was a member of the Australian coaching team at the Sydney and Beijing Olympics. And having played host to elite level swimmers from all over the world wishing to gain experience training in Australia, MVC has seen its swimmers benefit from new ideas and training stimuli. Melbourne Vicentre has a sister club in Japan, the Itoman Swimming School Group.

• 

  ASA SW Region Swim 21 News 3

  Posted: August 28th, 2008, 9:28am CDT

  This edition of the Club Newsletter features:
  

  • Re-accreditations, Accreditations and Revalidations
    Well done to Kelly College, Kingsbridge Kingfishers, Bournemouth Dolphins and Dawlish for maintaining the high standards set out within the Swim 21 accreditation scheme. Completion of the process for the second time highlights their hard work and dedication by these clubs. Several clubs were successfully revalidated, congratulations to Soundwell, Trowbridge, Stroud, Bristol North, Frome, Christchurch & New Milton Seagulls, Brixham and Cheltenham Swimming and Water Polo.
  • Meet Christina Tremellen, Panel Chair
  • Spotlight on Corsham ASC
  • County Bursaries for Teacher and Coach Education
  • Kellogg’s Swim Active Bursaries for Club Volunteers
  • Training Opportunities in the South West
  • Dates for your Diary
  • Contacts

  Download Issue 3

• 

  Attending the ASA South West Annual Council meeting?

  Posted: August 27th, 2008, 10:50am CDT

  Saturday 13 September 2008 - Somerset College of Arts and Technology, Taunton

  Yes? Then come and have a FREE place on a ‘Funding for your Club’ Workshop on the same day!

  Running in conjunction with the Region’s Annual Council, the Running Sports ‘Funding for your Club’ Workshop will be offered ‘free’ to those attending
  the afternoon council meeting.

  Workshop 9.00am – 12 noon / Council 1pm onwards
  Bookings will be accepted on a first come first served basis and must be made in advance with Regional Development Officer by Friday 5 September 2008

  About the workshop
  Your sports clubs can always use more money and this workshop will help you choose the right funding route to support your projects. Fund-raising will always be a constant battle, but you can help to give your clubs an edge.

• 

  Beijing Paralympics 2008 - Kirsten Bruhn

  Posted: August 27th, 2008, 6:14am CDT

  As part of our build up to the Paralympic Games in Beijing, we feature a video profile below of Athens gold medallist Kirsten Bruhn from Neumünster who learned to swim when she was three years old, just like the rest of her family. Not even a motorcycle accident in 1991 could destroy her love of water. Despite being a paraplegic, Kristen Bruhn feels truly comfortable in the pool. Unlike in "real life", there are no barriers or limits there.

  "Swimming provides a sort of outlet for me to let off steam", says the Paralympic gold medal winner. "When I'm in the water, I don't have a disability."

  "I've always been extremely active. If there was something I couldn't do, I'd always pick it easy, be it surfing or skiing. I never experienced any limit to my agility. Today, I feel that kind of freedom in the water. Anyone watching me doing lengths of the pool would never think that I could possibly have a disability, even though swimming is a kind of battle for me; a battle to keep me from going under."

• 

  World Junior Champion Sliwinski spends day with Phelps

  Posted: August 27th, 2008, 3:36am CDT

  World Junior 50m and 100m Breaststroke champion Daniel Sliwinski spent Sunday 24 August 2008 touring London with eight times Gold medallist Michael Phelps.

  Sliwinski had a night in a London hotel before being taken to Buckingham palace, where he spent hour with Michael Phelps doing interviews for both Radio Five Live and BBC News 24. Both Phelps and Sliwinski were interviewed, as well as Daniel being given the opportunity to ask the Olympian questions.

  When asked if Phelps gave him any tips Daniel said, “to always make swimming fun. Phelps told me that it’s not going to be a smooth road and there will be bumps along the way, but just to grin and bear it.”

• 

  Britain's Paralympians begin final preparations for Beijing Games

  Posted: August 27th, 2008, 3:22am CDT

  Britain’s Paralympic swimming squad have now started the final build-up to the Paralympic Games at the ParalympicsGB holding camp in Macau.

  At the 2004 Paralympic Games Britain finished just behind China in the swimming medal table and for the returning Paralympians they will be aiming to go one better this time around.

  For 45% of the squad this will be their first Paralympic Games and they will be looking to step up and show what they can do on a world stage. As the 35-strong squad put the final touches to their preparations they will also be acclimatising to the Asian environment and recovering from travelling across eight time zones.

• 

  Beijing Paralympics 2008 - Stephanie Millward

  Posted: August 25th, 2008, 1:01pm CDT

  The Paralympic swimming events take place at the National Aquatics Centre from 7-15 September 2008.

  Amongst the 15 Paralympic debutants is European record holder Stephanie Millward who many will remember won the ASA National Age Group in 100m backstoke in new Regional and Wiltshire County record times as a fifteen year old back in 1997 . Her county record for that and the 200m backstroke still stand but the Regional record was finally broken in 2007. Stephanie also held county butterfly records from 1997 until 2006 when Tilly Gray broke them.

  Stephanie was one of the first club swimmers to benefit from the swimming scheme set up at the 50m pool at University of Bath, when her father persuaded Ian Turner to allow her to join them to supplement the training Corsham ASC was able to provide.

  Stephanie’s ambition was always to compete in the Olympics until multiple sclerosis wrecked her dream. She was 17 and training with the British Olympic squad when things started to go wrong. Stephanie said: "I was in the national schools’ team and had just swum for England in the World Cup. Swimming was taking me all over the world and I was training for the Sydney Olympics in 2000. I was so excited. But strange things started happening. I noticed I couldn’t see the clock while I was training, I swam straight into the side of the pool once and then fell over getting out." Her parents then paid for an MRI scan which showed she had MS.

• 

  Beijing proves to be step forward for British Swimming

  Posted: August 24th, 2008, 6:39am CDT

  The Beijing Olympics has seen British Swimming emerge as a major swimming nation after seeing six medals won by swimmers on their way to sixth in the swimming medal table. With a target of three medals set for swimming by UK Sport, the British contingent in Beijing doubled that aim as they smashed one world, six European and 25 British records. The British team can return home now for a well earned rest before they begin their build up towards the London 2012 Olympics.

  
  

  National Performance Director Michael Scott has been encouraged by the team’s development but acknowledges that the team need to continue to build momentum towards London 2012. “The performance by the British squad in Beijing has been a very positive step forward but we need to take another significant step forward as we work towards London 2012,” Scott said.

• 

  Beijing 2008 Diving - Daley seventh in Men's 10m Platform Final

  Posted: August 24th, 2008, 3:20am CDT

  Plymouth Diving's Thomas Daley showed his potential in his first individual Olympic final in Beijing, finishing in 7th place in the men’s 10m individual platform event.

  With everything set up for a Chinese Grand Slam of the eight gold medals at stake in the Olympic diving competition, the unexpected happened. At the end of the penultimate round, Chinese Luxin Zhou was almost 23 points ahead of Australian Matthew Mitcham. For the last round, Zhou had chosen a dive with 3.4 degree of difficulty (reverse 3 ½ somersault tuck), while Mitcham was supposed to perform a DD 3.8 (back 2 ½ somersault 2 ½ twists, pike). Zhou missed his entry scoring between 6.0/8.0 and the thousands of spectators suddenly sensed that the gold medal was in danger.

  Mitcham produced superb dive scoring between 9.0/10, to total 537.95. Zhou finished with 533.15 for silver. Russia’s Gleb Galperin had already completed his final dive and scored a total of 525.80 and was pushed into third place.

  
  

  Britain’s second youngest Olympian ever, Daley improved on his list throughout the competition and after a shaky beginning to both his prelim and his semi-final, he went into the final looking for a sharper start. The European Champion looked more confident lining up for his first dive, back 2 ½ somersaults 1 ½ twist piked, and executed the dive excellently and after nailing his entry he scored 8s to put himself in a good position.

  His new-found confidence continued into the second and third round and after scoring well on both his front 3 ½ somersaults piked and his inward 3 ½ somersaults tucked he sat in 8th position overall.

• 

  Beijing 2008 Diving - Men's 10m Platform Preliminary and Semifinal

  Posted: August 23rd, 2008, 4:30am CDT

  Plymouth Diving's Tom Daley has qualified for the final of the Men’s 10m Individual Platform event in 8th place.

  Preliminary

  Peter Waterfield and Tom Daley had pulled out top 12 finishes to qualify for the men’s 10m Individual Platform semi-final. Daley suffered from an unusually shaky start as he dropped his first round dive (back 2 ½ somersaults 1 ½ twists piked) and scored 68 points. The European Champion picked himself up in the second round and 8s across the board to move from 24th to 23rd. Daley showed his strength in the third round to score 9s on his inward 3 ½ somersaults tucked to move up to 13th. Daley finished in 12th overall after finishing with his reverse 3 ½ somersaults tucked and scoring 440.40 in total.

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  ASA South West Consultation on Regional Strategy 2009 – 2013

  Posted: August 22nd, 2008, 6:55am CDT

  We are currently in the process of formulating our plans for the next four years and have drafted some high level targets around our key objectives.

  Over the later part of 2008 we will be working to look at how these objectives will be delivered and what this means in all of our disciplines and Counties. This will give us much more specific plans in all of our disciplines. We welcome all contributions and thoughts to help shape the direction for our region. Please take this opportunity to be part of this planning. We want swimming in the region to move forward by us all working together and sharing objectives.

  Please review draft strategy and use this form to feedback your thoughts (documents open in new window). The form can be posted back to the regional office or via email by Monday 8 September 2008.

  ASA South West, C/o Gloucester City Council, Herbert Warehouse, The Docks, Gloucester GL1 2EQ
  leanne.douglas@swimming.org

• 

  Beijing 2008 Diving - Chen wins Women's 10m Platform Final and Couch makes top 8

  Posted: August 22nd, 2008, 5:44am CDT

  15 year old Chen Ruolin rallied on her last dive to earn four 10s and beat Canada's Emilie Heymans to the gold medal with 447.70 points in the women's 10m platform, an event China has not won since 1996. Her victory gives China seven out of seven golds with only one diving event remaining at the Beijing Olympics.

  Heymans had led by 7.15 points going into Chen's last dive, taking silver with 437.05. Chen's 16-year-old teammate, Wang Xin took the bronze at 429.50. "Chen Ruolin has a better entry than me and she performed just as we expected," said Wang, the current platform world champion. "Emilie did better than her normal level. The distance between me and them is my control over my splash."

  Chen stayed focussed, despite the partisan home support in the Water Cube, to earn four 10s and three 9.5s for her backward 2 1/2 somersault with 1 1/2 twists from the pike position - rated 3.4 degree of difficulty. Overall, Chen received seven 10s during the five-round final.

  The first two British divers to qualify for an Olympic final, Tonia Couch and Stacie Powell, showed enormous promise. Couch, who has performed consistently throughout the competition, began excellently again. Any nerves she may have been feeling were put to one side as she started with her inward 2 ½ Somersaults piked and scored 8s to put her in 10th. Couch gained confidence through the rounds to continue to score highly and as she entered the final round she found herself lying in fifth place overall.

• 

  Beijing 2008 Open Water - Davies wins silver in Men's Marathon 10km

  Posted: August 21st, 2008, 5:54am CDT

  Britain's David Davies just missed out on Olympic gold in the Men's 10km open water swim after a brave performance at the Shunyi Rowing-Canoe Park. Davies led for most of the race but was pipped by just 1.5 seconds by Netherlands swimmer Maarten van der Weijden, who came home in 1:51:51.6.

  The race was not without incident. David Davies, who competed in his first open water world championships earlier this year and was the surprise silver medalist, led from the start, from Greece's Spyridon Gianniotis, Germany's Thomas Lurz, Russian Vladimir Dyatchin and van der Weijden.

  Dyatchin made a move after 90 mins but the back-to back world champion in 2007-08, was shown the red card within the last kilometre which resulted in his disqualification.

  Welshman Davies made a decisive move with around 800m, but with 300m to go Davies drifted offline, swimming into the markers, which allowed the chasing pack to catch him up. Maarten van der Weijden, who recovered from leukaemia in 2001, edged ahead of Davies to win in 1:51:51.6, Davies finished second in 1:51:53.1 and Germany's Thomas Lurz taking the bronze in 1:51:53.6.

• 

  Beijing 2008 Diving - Women's 10m Platform Semifinal

  Posted: August 21st, 2008, 5:46am CDT

  World No. 1 Chen Ruolin of China dominated the semifinal of the Women's 10m Platform with a total of 444.60, She wrapped up the morning competition with a perfect somersault-twist combination dive that scored 96.90 points, the highest of the semifinal session. Chen finished more than 40 points ahead of Mexico's flag-bearer Paola Espinosa who had dropped all her 3m Springboard events to concentrate on this event. Espinosa won gold in two legs of the 2008 World Series (Sheffield and Tijuana), and her strong semifinal finish shows she may be in position to upset China in Beijing.

  Chen's partner in the Synchronized Diving event, Wang Xin, enters the final in third place with 388.55 points. Canadian diver Emilie Heymans, silver medalist in Sydney, came in fourth with 374.10 points.

  Both Tonia Couch and Stacie Powell have qualified for the Olympic final in their first Olympic Games. Powell had a shaky start once again but recovered quickly to make up the distance to the rest of the pack. She executed her final three dives to a much higher standard than in the preliminaries to score over 60 points on each.

  Couch again showed her consistency throughout the rounds scoring nothing less than 58.00 on her first four dives but after dropping her final dive waiting to see if she made it through to this afternoon’s final proved to be tense. Couch lay in 10th position after the fourth round with her final spot looking certain but after finishing short of vertical on her reverse 2 ½ somersaults tucked she dropped marks and lay in 9th place with four divers left to compete.

  Powell showed her form in the final round as she moved up from 15th to 13th place going into the final round. Her final dive was the back 2 ½ somersaults 1 ½ twists piked and she performed it excellently to score well and find herself in 11th place overall with a total score of 301.75.

  Couch secured the final qualification place with a score of 297.20. The Brits are the first two British athletes to qualify for an individual final at these Olympic Games.

• 

  Beijing 2008 Diving - Women's 10m Platform Preliminary

  Posted: August 20th, 2008, 12:09pm CDT

  British divers Tonia Couch (Plymouth) and Stacie Powell have qualified for tomorrow’s semi-final after finishing in 12th and 14th respectively in the women’s 10m Individual Platform event. With the top 18 divers going through the semi-final both athletes knew they had to remain focused throughout in order to seal their qualification.

  
  

  Couch performed consistently throughout scoring 7s and 8s for each dive. It was only in the fourth round that she seemed slightly shaky. Going into the fourth round Couch stood in 7th position but after missing her entry on her armstand back double somersault 1 ½ twists in free position she dropped marks and dropped down the board. The final round saw Couch finish well to secure 12th place with a score of 320.40.

  Commenting on the competition Couch said: “I am really happy with myself and that top 12 finish. If I can manage the same again tomorrow I will make it into the final. I was diving with an injured thumb, I bent it back last year and three days ago it flared up again. But I knew I had to dive through the pain. It is great that we are both through to the final. This performance has really boosted my confidence and I think I can use that to my benefit tomorrow.”

  Powell suffered from a nervous start as she missed her first round dive to score 4s and 5s but showed her strength to take to the boards for her second round and score 7s and 8s. Powell capitalised on other divers missed attempts to move from 28 place up to 14th place overall. She competed the competition with a total of 313.90 and goes into the semi-final looking to put today’s performance behind her.

  "I did not have a great start to that prelim but I kept my head and clawed my way back through the rounds to show my mental toughness," Powell said. "Diving last is not great but after a shaky start I got back in control and earned myself another session tomorrow. For us both to make the final is fantastic and it will only take a few points to take the next step and reach the final."

• 

  Beijing 2008 Diving - Men's 3m Springboard Final: He gets gold

  Posted: August 20th, 2008, 12:01pm CDT

  China claimed the first six diving golds at Beijing Olympic Games as 21 year old world number one, He Chong, led throughout the men's 3m springboard to collect 572.90 points and gold

  Canad's Alexandre Despatie, silver medallist in 2004 Athens Olympics and 2007 Melbourne Worlds, took the silver again in 536.65, while the bronze went to Qin Kai in 530.10. Despatie has had a difficult year. He fractured his fifth metatarsal of the right foot during a training session in April 2008 and this hampered his training schedule in the run up to Beijing.

  Russian "diving czar" Dmitry Sautin, who just claimed a silver in the synchro springboard, finished fourth in 512.65.

• 

  Mark the moment - get the ringtone!

  Posted: August 20th, 2008, 11:51am CDT

  On the afternoon of 24 August in China’s Birds Nest Stadium, the Mayor of Beijing will hand the Olympic flag to Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, and the UK will officially become the host nation for the Olympic Games.

  Communities of the South West were invited to mark this moment by making two minutes noise at 4pm (an antidote to the two minutes silence we often use to mark more solemn occasions). Bell ringers are leading the celebrations with a peal of bells, ships at sea might blow their horns, bicycle bells might be rung and a special mobile ringtone has been commissioned.

  The response has been huge. Bells will ring from Tewkesbury to Salisbury, Bath to Minehead, Weymouth to Swanage and Exeter to Truro. The ringtone Jumping Through Hoops, by composer and sonic artist Hywel Davies, will be broadcast live from a fabulous party on Weymouth beach, and will be beamed into deep space by BT from their site at Goonhilly in Cornwall (to download your free copy, see the details below*).

  But that’s not all you’re doing...with people asked to come up with their own ideas for making noise, you’ve done just that. There are samba bands in Purbeck, a Brazilian martial arts band in Cheltenham, a pipe band in Plymouth, Town Criers writing special cries for the occasion, coaching horns being blown in full livery, and we even have celebrated percussionist, Dame Evelyn Glennie playing the Portland stones. And hundreds of you will be raising flags, from Cheltenham to the Isles of Scilly!

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  Beijing 2008 Open Water - Medals for Payne and Patten in Women's 10km Marathon

  Posted: August 20th, 2008, 4:34am CDT

  The swimming at the Water Cube in Beijing may have come to an end, but for the first time in the Olympic programme Open Water swimming has been featured and Team GB swimming success continued with Keri-Anne Payne and Cassie Patten picked up silver and bronze medals after an exciting finishin to the Women's 10km event.

  
  

  Payne and Patten led from the start, but were beaten to the line with less than 50m to go by Larisa Ilchenko from Russia. Ilchenko has dominated open water swimming since 2004 and is unbeaten in this event, winning five consecutive 5km world championships and three consecutive 10km races.

  The British pair are relatively inexperienced in the open water event and unfortunately were unable to overcome the tactical swim of Ilchenko, who finished in 1:59.27.7. Keri-Anne Payne touched 1.5 seconds behind Ilchenko to take the silver in 1:59.29.2 and Cassie Patten in bronze medal position 1:59.31.0

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  ASA South West Region School of Swimming Development 2008 Course Report

  Posted: August 19th, 2008, 6:45am CDT

  Sunday 10 August - Saturday 16 August 2008 - Bryanston School

  132 swimmers (maximum numbers) and 22 staff - without doubt, the highest standard of swimmers attending since the course commenced in 1982.

  The two specialist International swimmers attending for two days were Matt Bowe and Matt Clay, who took two pool sessions for the five swimming groups. Anita Bean talked to each group on nutrition and Mark Holland took each group for two lectures over his two days at the course on Sports Psychology. The course is thankful for the Development Grant which made this possible.

  Each swimmer took home a special course produced handbook and a detailed portfolio covering all water sessions and lectures carried out.

• 

  Vacancy - ASA South West Region Secretary of the Coaches Committee

  Posted: August 19th, 2008, 6:21am CDT

  Duties include:
  

  • Management of the Coaches Committee (2 meetings per year)
  • Attending and reporting to the Swimming Committee (3 meetings per year).
  • Attending very occasional meetings of the Management Working Group of the Swimming Committee.
  • Liaising with coaches in the region
  • Driving forward coaching issues
• 

  2009 Geneva International Meet - ASA South West Region Selection Policy and Availability Forms

  Posted: August 19th, 2008, 6:07am CDT

  16-18 January 2009

  The Region will be sending a team to the Geneva International Meet which will be identified from performances at the ASA South West Championships (selection ‘Trials’) held from 28 - 30 November 2008 at Millfield. Maximum number of available athlete places is 16.

  The ‘Selection Panel’ comprises the ASA South West Talent ID Coach, ASA SW Swimming committee representative, Senior Team Manager and the BSCTA (West) Regional Operations Officer.

  The team of 16 swimmers will be accompanied by a Senior Team Manager, Assistant Team Manager and two coaches. Applications for the posts of Senior and Assistant Team Manager are invited.

• 

  2009 Geneva International Meet - ASA South West Region Selection Policy and Availability Forms

  Posted: August 19th, 2008, 6:07am CDT

  16-18 January 2009

  The Region will be sending a team to the Geneva International Meet which will be identified from performances at the ASA South West Championships (selection ‘Trials’) held from 28 - 30 November 2008 at Millfield. Maximum number of available athlete places is 16.

  The ‘Selection Panel’ comprises the ASA South West Talent ID Coach, ASA SW Swimming committee representative, Senior Team Manager and the BSCTA (West) Regional Operations Officer.

  The team of 16 swimmers will be accompanied by a Senior Team Manager, Assistant Team Manager and two coaches. Applications for the posts of Senior and Assistant Team Manager are invited.