Latest News 2024
Check back here regularly for the latest club news and announcements
Swim-a-long with Santa Leeds 2024
Sofia and Emily
Ben
Lucas
Georgia and Paige
Lucas, Ava and Emily
Ben and Alfie
I just have to say how impressed I have been with our 35 Kingfishers at the Santa Swim today!! Magnificent from start to finish! For an accurate picture of PBs, please go onto Swim England Results and look at your swimmer’s /s’ Long Course times at the top of the page.
Some of the entry times on the programme were short course times.
Please say a HUGE well done to all those who swam - they were exceptional!
Mary
Aria
Ian, Jonathan and Lee (Team Manager
Lucas with our Head Coach, Jonathan and Referee, Ian.
Maureen, Sarah and Nikki
Helena and Maureen
Emily and Helena
Schofield's Presentation Award Evening 2024
Victor Ludorum Winners
William, Arthur, Paige, Evie, Sophie, Kelsey, Lucas, James
All these swimmers won all their races at the Schofield’s Championships 2024
William, Arthur, Paige, Evie, Sophie, Kelsey, Lucas, James
Lucas
Victor Ludorum
Lucas and James
Victor Ludorum
Kelsey
Victor Ludorum Award for winning all her races at the Schofield’s
Lucas and Esme
14 Years Winners
Vlad and Ava
Age 15 Winners
Evie Gilson 8 Years:
Schofield’s Age group Winner.
C Squad Award winner.
Victor Ludorum Winner.
Evie Gilson
Kelsey - 9 Years Girls Winner
Aria - 10 Years Girls Winner
Sofia
Schofield’s 12 year old for Winner and Achievement Award 2024
Esme - 14 Years Girl Winner
Emily Kirk
A Squad Award
Emily
William and Jennifer
B Squad Award
Paige and William
Schofield’s Open Age Winners
Vlad
Wiiner of the sub minute medal for 100m Freestyle
Henry
Age 7 Boys Winner
Victor Ludorum Winner
Arthur and Evie
Age 8 Winners
Kelsey and Zane
Age 9 Years Winners
Aria and Ray
Age 10 Years Winners
Sophie and Alexander
Age 11 Years Winners
Sophie
Victor Ludorum Winner
Ben and Jennifer
Age 13 Years Winners
Life Saving Award Winners:
Maisy, Alex, Esme, Lucas, Ava, Rodger, Lucy (missing from photo - Evan)
Lucas Lifesaving and Squad Winner
Helena, Sofia, Mia, Megan
Emily, Mia, Helena, Sofia, Laura, Miranda, Maisy, Megan
Helena, Megan, Miranda, Ava and Maisy
Jennifer, Amelia, Aria, Nadia, Abigail, Annabelle
Laura and Maisy
Helena with Pete
Presentation to Maureen and Pete for all they have done over the year.
A brilliant Schofield 's presentation evening yesterday, many thanks for our beautiful flowers and champagne also thanks to everyone who helped to make the evening fabulous
Maureen
XX
NER Championships 2024
In the Swim England North East Regional Championships held at Ponds Forge, Sheffield on Saturday and Sunday 2nd /3rd November 2024, the following Kingfishers achieved as follows:
James Ellis achieved TEN top ten places in:
100m IM - GOLD - NER Champion
50m Butterfly - SILVER
100m Butterfly - SILVER
50m Freestyle - SILVER
200m Butterfly - BRONZE
200m Backstroke BRONZE
100m Freestyle - 5th
50m Backstroke - 5th
100m Backstroke - 5th
200m Freestyle - 6th
So top ten out of all 12 year old boys in the whole of the North of England!
Sofia Sanders finished with FOUR top 10 places in:
50m Breaststroke 5th
100m Breaststroke 8th
200m Breaststroke 5th
100m IM 10th
So top 10 out of all 12 year old girls in the whole of the North East!
Next week Sofia and James start their next swimming chapter in the National Squad. We wish them the very best of luck in this venture. Well done!
Laura Garbacik achieved 13th place in the 12 year old girls 50m Butterfly at the same championships - another stunning performance, following on her success in the Yorkshire Championships! Well done, Laura!
For swimmers to compete in County and Regional championships, they have to meet high qualification standards. They are elite performers, and it is worth remembering that thousands of swimmers strive to qualify, but only a small number EVER make it! This makes Sofia’s, James’s and Laura’s achievements even more amazing!
Hugely well done!
From all at Kingfishers.
James Ellis
Sofia Sanders
Laura Garbacik
SWIMMING WORKSHOP
The Schofields
Not long now to the Club Championships!
Yorkshire Winter Championships 2024
Report to follow
Amazing to watch you all, as coaches we are all extremely proud of everyone who attended the Yorkshires this weekend, you all gave it your all and didn’t stop smiling.
It’s such a huge achievement to even qualify for the Yorkshires!
Nicola
Jacob Witts
Ben Gilson
Sofia Sanders (Age 12 Years) & Aria Sanders (Age 9 Years)
James Ellis (Aged 11)
Laura Garbacik (Aged 12 Years) & Jakub Garbacik (Aged 10 Years)
Emily Kirk (11 Years) & Mia Grant (12 Years)
L-R Laura Garbacik (12 Years), Sofia Sanders (12 Years) Emily Kirk (11 Years)
Abigail Fisher (Age 9 Years)
Aria Sanders (Age 9 Years) & Sofia Sanders (Age 12 Years)
L-R Ben Gilson, Ray Chapnan, Jakub Garbacik
Emily Kirk (11 Years) & Sofia Sanders (12 Years)
Stephen Tuffrey Aged 10
Doncaster Mets
Cazia Martin
"On Thursday one of past club members came to our training session to say hello. Cazia Martin used to swim for Armthorpe before moving to DARTES and then Sheffield City where she is currently swimming.
Cazia brought with her 3 recently won medals in National competitions including her latest a silver from this years National Championships as part of Sheffields relay team.
It was great to see Cazia again and we are proud of her achievements. It was also good to see that lovely smile and enthusiasm again.
Well done Cazia and good luck for the future."
BML Result from Chapeltown Meet Saturday 28th September
Today’s result:
Chapeltown 146
Armthorpe 138
Sheffield City 114
Barnsley 80
Congratulations to the BML team that performed so well on Saturday!
The result was:
Chapletown 141 points
Armthorpe 138 points
Barnsley 128 points
Sheffield City 76 points
There were NO dqs for Armthorpe which was excellent.
Big well done - report to follow
Pete
HATFIELD AQUAPARK
Many thanks to Lee Burkhill for organising the fun afternoon at the Hatfield Aquapark on Saturday 17th August.
A great time was had by one and all!
Lucas Johnson’s solo Windermere swim on Wednesday 7th August 2024.
A phenomenal achievement for a fourteen year old.
Armthorpe Kingfishers Swimming Club is very proud of Lucas!
Many thanks to “Swim Your Swim” and all this who helped prepare him for this achievement.
Pictured here with his very proud parents!
Another stunning perfomance by all Kingfisher swimmers as we win our home Gala.
Huge Congratulations to all involved
Full reports to follow shortly
Result
Armthorpe 135 points
Barnsley 127 points
Chapeltown 116 points
Sheffield 83 points
Absolutely OUTSTANDING performance from every one of our Kingfishers today! Well done to EVERY swimmer - this was truly a superb team performance and a great atmosphere! And … sealed off with First Place and 146 points which we will carry forward to next Saturday’s second BML at Adwick. We’d love to see you there!
Mary
Warm Up at John Charles
What can I say but WOW!!!!!!
Absolutely amazing swims today from our kingfishers , loads of PB,s
/ medals & top girl/boy awards well done everyone
Big thank you to all the poolside coaches & team managers today great work everyone!
& I forgot to mention Our little Armthorpe club finishing 2nd overall !!!!
Lee
Well done to all the kingfishers, you all gave it 100% and there were countless PBs and medals
And an extra well done to
Noah Burkill
Emily Kirk
Jennifer Powell
Rodger Murray
Ava Burkill
Who all achieved top boy/girl awards in their age groups
Nicola
Brilliant, Kingfishers! You were all amazing… as ALWAYS!
Mary
Emily Kirk
Millie Varley
Ben Gilson
Jakub Garbacik Laura Garbacik
& Sofia Sanders
Laura Garbacik & Sofia Sanders
Laura Garbacik
Sofia Sanders
Emily Kirk
Aria Sanders
Ben Gilson on the blocks
Rodger Murray Ava Burkill
Rodger Murray
Sofia Sanders
Maisy Ebbage & Miranda Burkill
Great to see Pete and Maureen Hardy recognised by Doncaster Council for all their outstanding work undertaken as volunteers with Kingfishers.
Long may it continue!
Good afternoon Kingfishers
We are arranging a fun afternoon at the Hatfield Marine Aqua Park on Saturday the 17th August. This is open to all Kingfisher swimmers, however, 7-9 year olds need to be accompanied by an adult in the water. If you would like to join us please let me know via Facebook messenger or at the pool before Saturday 30th June. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask me.
Note: There will be a £10 charge for siblings who are not club members and accompanying parents of 7-9 year old children.
1st come -1st served basis only 60 spaces .
Regards Coach Lee
Last weekend saw two of our Kingfishers swim at the Swim England North East Regional Age Group Swimming Championships
Miranda Burkill competed in the 13 years 50m freestyle - placed 35 out of 47 and achieved a new PB
and Lucas Stallard competed in the 50m and 100m breaststroke placing 18 out of 22 in both events and achieving a new PB in his 100m Breaststroke.
These events are for the fastest in the whole of the North East Region and you have to achieve qualifying times in order to even take part, so getting there in the first place is a huge achievement.
There were definitely some nerves as it was a first time competing at this level for both of them and not having all your usual team mates as cheer leaders is a daunting start, but they both gave it their all and definitely did the club proud
Next weekend will see two more of the kingfishers take part in the second leg of events
Nicola
In honour of his 90th Birthday, our Club President, Derek Fretwell, was presented with a Birthday cake and card signed by members of the Committee and Coaching staff at Armthorpe Kingfishers.
We are greatly indebted to Derek for his huge contribution to competitive swimming in Doncaster over many, many years. A fully qualified Judge at local, regional and national level and a massive supporter of our club, Derek is a true legend.
We are proud that he is our President and thank him for his continued service to the club.
He is pictured here with our A and B Squad swimmers and coaches.
Update News: Maisy’s Swim22 for diabetes. She has swum 25.5 miles since starting on 22nd April - and is now on her way back from France. Well Done Maisy. Keep going!
Updated Parent pack now available under Parent tab. Mary
Life Saving:
All swimmers were AMAZING last night - they approached their assessments seriously and with great focus!! Well done to all of them!
In the next two Fridays (3rd and 10th May), our group will be assessed on the following activities:
a) 50m swim followed by 50m Contact Tow (including the turning of the casualty from front to back on land, CPR and the recovery position)
b) Initiative Test with two responsive casualties
c) Treatment of a Choking casualty
d) Theory Parts 5/6 (CPR / First Aid)
Please make sure that you are ready for these. Use your Candidate Manual and Bank of Questions to help you to prepare.
Because of the absence of some swimmers during the assessment period, we will need two more sessions (as above), in order to complete the Bronze Star Award. Apologies for the extension.
Mary and Thomas
To members of Lane 4 at Life Saving: this Friday 26th April, we will be completing more of the Bronze Star assessments as follows:
a) Four swimmers will be doing the 400m Survival Swim (clothed) - you know who you are.
b) All swimmers will be doing the 20m swim and cross chest tow.
c) All swimmers will be tested on Theory Part 3 (Cold Water Shock) and Part 4 (Rescue Aids) and the CRIC treatment for Asthma and Fractures.
d) All swimmers will do the Child CPR with the AED.
e) All swimmers will be doing the Throwing OR Reaching rescue (you choose).
During the following Session on Friday 3rd May, we will be doing
a) the final Theory sections Parts 5 and 6, and Choking
b) The Contact Tow
c) The Initiative Test
along with any catch up assessments needed.
Keep up the excellence - we are nearly there!!
Mary
Resistance Training
'A' squad going through their paces with T-shirts at the latest training session
Harrimans: Absolutely fantastic swims in the first session at Adwick good luck to everyone swimming in session two ! Go Kingfishers. Lee
IMPORTANT ACTION NEEDED
At the Annual General Meeting it was agreed to increase swimming fees with effect from 1 April 2024 as follows:
1 session C squad/Lifesaving - £28
2 or more sessions A/B squads - £35
Our fees have not increased since 2015, however with increased pool hire costs we have no other option.
It would be appreciated therefore if parents could amend their monthly payments as above.
Kirsty
Sunday 17th March Beverley Barracudas Spring Equinox Meet
'As a club we took 22 kingfishers to compete in the Beverley Barracudas Spring Equinox extravaganza And what a day!
PBs galore and every single swimmer left with a medal. So many smiles, cheers and fist bumps. Even more impressive Armthorpe came 2nd overall and 4 of our swimmers were awarded overall top boy/girl for their age groups.'
Here’s some pics of our fabulous kids
Nicola
To anyone wishing to buy clothing or equipment (all available to view on our website) please let me know in the next 2 weeks (via messenger)
Order will be placed Monday 25th March.
Thanks
Claire
Worksop Dolphins Meet:
2nd March
Ponds Forge Sheffield
41 medals won on the day!
'A' Squad in training using parachutes.
YORKSHIRE CHAMPIONSHIPS - PONDS FORGE SATURDAY 17TH FEB 2024
Well done to the 7 Kingfishers who took Part in the Yorkshire swimming championships today, Jonathan Tuffrey and I thought you were all a pleasure to look after. It was the first time at the Yorkshires for all the them and some have never actually competed long course before.
Following on from warm up there’s were comments such as, ‘I thought the end was never coming’ so believe us when we say the size difference alone is a daunting prospect.
Every single one of them swam brilliantly and there were some amazing PBs. Special mention to the two swimmers who not only achieved amazing PBs, but made a final each.
Jennifer Powell 8th in 13 years 50m Backstroke
Alexander Drury 8th in 10/11 years 50m Breaststroke
P.S I unfortunately missed a photo of Lucas Stallard
Nicole
YORKSHIRE QUALIFIERS 2024
Age
Vlad Akula 15
Alexander Drury 11
Lucas Johnson 15
Oliver Mirfin 11
Lucas Stallard 14
Stephen Tuffrey 11
Jacob Witts 12
Georgie Arnold 11
Sophie Barley 11
Mia Grant 12
Jennifer Powell 13
USE OF MOBILE PHONES
Swim England’s Safeguarding policy ‘Wavepower’ has been updated with effect from 1st January 2024. The policy “prohibits all use of a mobile phone or device in a changing area during Swim England regulated activity”.
We respectfully ask all members of our club to adhere to this policy, for the benefit of all concerned. Our club has had absolutely no issues in the past, so we are confident that this will continue to be the case.
Many thanks in anticipation of your support.
Mary Firth
Welfare Officer