Well what a start to the Diddy Season a trip by coach to one of our best Hosts Strafford Sharks. A little bit of fun for the youngsters too as of course they could have a bit of team banter and general fooling around by me. I must say the behaviour both on poolside and coach was excellent especially as there were quite a few new team members.

 

Here's the team with a * beside all the new swimmers.

 

9 YRS   Alex Westlake. Jordan Sharples* Lilly Collier* Olivia Naylor* Sophie Donaldson*                    Maisey Gee*

          Michael Sedgley* Ashley Smith* JarradWhitehouse* Tom Parker*

 

10 YRS Amiee Sanders. Jordan Ingamells* Amelia Faulkner. Grace Fellows.

          Dave Birnie. Luke Piper. Rob Chandler. Edward Povey*

 

11 YRS Nat Dingley. Katie Jones. Emma Pay. Shannon O'Brien*

          Adam Horton. George Hammersley. Jacob Anson. Adam Fisher*

 

12 YRS Beth Davis. Lauren Sanders.

            Ryan Spoor. Callum Faulkner. Jake Knight. Tom Pearson.

 

 

As we have had little time or Opportunities to select the Diddy teams this year this would be a good chance for both myself, Becky and Mark to see what was available.

Some swimmers who may not be in the A team or even if they were in the A team but may not normally have an individual event were given the chance to show us what they had got.

I must say we were somewhat surprised. Unfortunately some swimmers were not available so we will have to make an educated guess at who will swim in what team in some cases . However these will be well discussed and will be for the benefit of the Club and Swimmers.

One of the main rules for entry to the Diddy League is that we have to name who will be swimming in which team and who will be reserves. This may seem no problem but let me tell you it is a nightmare.

There are 4 places and 2 reserves for each age group for the A team. If you are named as one of the 4 You cannot swim in the B team at any point.  If you are a reserve you may swim for both teams.

We seem to have a very strong team this year so my aim is to make the Final. This will mean that the team will be selected on a swim to win basis and some swimmers may not have an individual swim .If you are selected for the A team and only swim relays it does not make you any less a team member because without your efforts its all over. You are all as important as each other and it is a team game not an individual show.

I will however try to make sure everyone has their chance in any friendlies that may turn up.

Right back to the good stuff. All I can say is what a night and what a result simply fantastic. Well done to every single Swimmer, Parent and Helper. For those of you who may have left early there was a little confusion over the final result. It was announced as a tie between ourselves and Leamington. But in fact we were clear winners as in Event number 23 we were awarded no points an event that Lauren Sanders had won. This was quickly noticed and we were named winners, but I'm afraid everyone had gone

never mind next time wait till I go.

That's all I have time for this time as we have another senior Gala tomorrow. I will however name swimmer and Age group team of the night.

Swimmer of the night is a tie this time between Beth Davis nailing an x team member to win 100m Free  and Jordan Sharples for her superb effort and win in the false start re-swim backstroke. Well done to you both.

Team of the night a tough one for me between the new 9's boys and 11 year old girls.

 

 

 

By a whisker the girls get it this time!!!!!! Well done to you all though.

 

 

 

See you in Round one of the Diddy's

 

JASON

Stratford Sharks Junior Gala 22nd March 2008