31 August 2008

National Swimming League (Speedo) - Saturday, 11th October, Beechdale


Please find attached the team sheet for the first round of the old Speedo league. Please tick on the board or e mail me whether you can swim or not.

This is the top league in which Bramcote competes in. We are one of the top teams in division 2 and narrowly missed out on a chance of promotion last season. This year we want to make the final and push for the promotion places. We do however need to finish in the top 2 of this first gala to stand a chance.

Bramcote are also hosting this gal so if you are able to help on the night please let me know. All help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Karen

SHEFFIELD SPRINTS OPEN MEET - AUG 23

10 of our swimmers took part in this popular 50m sprints event at Pond Forge International Arena and all returned with PB's.

The general opinion amongst swimmers, coaches and parents was that it was a great event and well worth returning to next year. Probably the best aspect is that as Ponds Forge is a ten lane pool and as the event is 50m sprints only, the whole thing was over in around 3 hours; unlike most open meets which can drag a little!

The only disappointing thing is that swimmers had to make the top 3 to get a medal, which is a tough ask at the younger end where there were large entries. Tom Lyons had a great day, winning all four of the 14 yrs events and achieving 3 PB's, whilst Thomas Howdle in the 10's almost matched that with three 1st places, one 3rd and two PB's. Brother Luke Howdle recorded some very fast times in the 13yrs events, winning one (a fantastic 33.98 in the 50 Breast) and coming 2nd in the other three but recording PB's in all four!

Also in the 13's Harry James took three 3rd places and swam two PB's including his first sub-30 in the 50 Free with 29.94 Rebecca Patrick was the most successful girl with a 2nd and 3rd place in the 13's and three PB's. Amazingly her 50 Breast time of 38.47 was one hundredth quicker than Tom Lyons with 38.48 who in turn was one hundredth quicker than Harry James with 38.49! All 3 times were PB's.

Our other top 3 finisher was Amy Warren with a 3rd in the 9yrs 50 Back, her first open meet medal! Amy also had a clean sweep of PB's taking a total of 14 secs off her four previous best times. Lucy Preston in the 10's and Luke Farnsworth in the 9's were unlucky to just miss out with 4th place finishes, but 4 PB's for Luke and 3 for Lucy more than made up for it. Ashley Locke and Jack Wickham were our other two swimmers and both recorded PB's.

I can highly recommend this meet for any swimmer who wants to have an event to work towards during the summer. It is very well organised, a superb venue with fast water, and is held over just one 3-hour session starting at 1pm. If anyone would like any further info, please ask.

David James

The online database is fully updated

The online database has now been updated with results from the National Age Group Champs, Dianne's 200m July Time Trials and the Sheffield Sprints Open Meet.

David James

29 August 2008

A few up and coming events

Hi Swimmers and parents,

Every swimmer in the club should entering club champs so if you haven’t done your entry yet please do so and put it in the post box on the landing no later than this Sunday 31st.

If you haven’t got your competitive starts award please attend this Mondays Starts and turns 1st September to attain the certificate. The club requires every swimmer to gain this certificate for completion of Swim21.

Monday 8th September at Foxwood School is a Psychology lecture by Ian Coleman entitled “Race Preparation” (times to be arranged) Ian has very kindly offered to give up his time and give you the opportunity of learning something that will help you with galas, club champs, counties and opens. Please support the club, Ian and coaching staff by attending this lecture, its free and it’s a one off chance to learn something new that will help you with your swimming. Please let me know if you are not going to take up this opportunity as we are now collecting numbers.

Thanks

Happy Swimming

Di Mann
Head Coach

28 August 2008

Challenges ahead for the new swim season 2008 - 2009

Hello Swimmers/Parents,

In preparation for the new season we have prepared information packs for the whole of A squad. These contain information about upcoming events and entry forms for forthcoming open meets; these will be distributed on Sunday after the whole of A squad have had a short team talk.

Attached to this email is the open meet information for 2 of the 3 targeted meets between now and the County Championships in 2009 (February – March time). These are:

- Nuneaton Distance Meet in early December
- Leander Sprints in late January

…as well as this there is the Bramcote Open Meet on Sunday 30th November. We are hoping there will be a near 100% turnout from A squad for this so the success and general competitiveness of the meet is to a high standard. More information can be found at www.swim-to-win.com.

During our next training cycle we will be doing sets which involved pacing your swims, working that IM, attacking that butterfly, and improving your kick. Attached is a record of all your individual pbs plus your percentage fc targets, these will be used at every training session so they are laminated and will be placed at the end of each lane. Some of you may not have up to date pb's for your 200 fc so this will be done on Sunday evening. I will explain more in details to swimmers then.

Regards

Di Mann
Head Coach

27 August 2008

Special Sports Psychology on Monday 8th September - A-SQUAD INVITED

On Monday 8th September at Foxwood school (opposite Bramcote Leisure Centre), Ian Coleman, a Sports Psychologist and swimming Coach, has agreed to do a talk on race preparation for competitive swimming.

All of A squad and Nova swimmers are invited to attend, and it would be great if we could get a really big turnout for this. Parents are welcome to attend as well, with the talk beginning at 7.00pm.

Ian has requested that before coming to the session, it would be useful if any swimmers wishing to attend complete the following Mental Skills Assessment:

http://www.hi5performance.com/skillassessment.php?p_id=9

All results will be sent through to Ian after completing the assessment which will help with the session as a whole.

If you do think you will be able to come, please drop me a quick email back saying as much, just so I can have an idea on numbers.

Dianne Mann
Head Coach

26 August 2008

Sports Centre League - Saturday, 13th September


200m time trials at Bramcote and John Carol

Full results from the 200m time trials on 14 August have now been published on the club's results database.

Sheffield Open Sprints Meet

Congratulations to all club swimmers who took part in the Sheffield Open Sprints Meet on 23 August. There were very many strong swims with the vast majority of our participants achieving personal bests.

25 August 2008