SO NEAR YET SO FAR!

You may have seen on the web that the result for our final gala has been changed and we now have come second by two points and not first by two points. This means that we have missed out on a first division final place. The reason for the change is that there was an error in recording one race (event 4)

by the recorders and this error was not picked up on the day. We cannot blame the recorders as they do work under a lot of pressure and occasionally errors do occur and we must thank Wyre Forest for hosting the gala. It is a challenge for any club. This is why we did not want to raise too many hopes when the result was so close and the result had not been ratified and checked. However although we are very disappointed the swimmers must take great pride and credit for the superb performance of the team. To be battling on equal terms with City of Coventry is a great performance and the clear margin of over 60 points to the third placed team shows the quality of the squad. It is a shame that we are not there as every round we have got stronger and we were confident that we would have performed well but let us congratulate City of Coventry and the other five teams.

John has statistics that demonstrate that the teams performance came from all ages and both sexes in equal measure and so all bodes well for a strong performance next year.

Let us also not forget the B team. In the last round with few in numbers we still managed a great third place. We were one of the first clubs to have a second team and one of only a handful to have two teams in three major leagues. The ethos of the club is to offer competitive swimming at all levels and for all swimmers to reach their potential.  Swimmers  join clubs at different ages and different stages of development and it is important that they have maximum opportunity to continue enjoying the sport while they progress. Many are late developers. The swimmer who is sixth fastest in the club at age 10 may become an international swimmer at 15. They must be given every opportunity.  B team swimmers are not B grade but simply our next best A grade swimmers and many will become A team swimmers of the future. They are a vital part of the club and help to underpin our A team which has been demonstrated this year.

Let us also not forget the hard work of John and Glyn ,the poolside helpers and the coaching team.

Well done to all

Bernard Simkins

Chair

City of Coventry       227

Stourbridge A          225

Wolverhampton      164

Chase                      153

Wyre Forest             141

Northgate                 133

Oldbury                     269

Pershore Penguin  258

Stourbridge B          163

Enderby B                151

Wednesbury           126

Perry Beeches        DNS