Schofield times have been uplifted onto ASA website. wwwswimmingresults.org

Schofield’s Report Nov 2023

Well… it didn’t disappoint!! Our Annual Club Championships - the Schofield’s - is always the highlight of our Gala calendar, and this year was no exception!

An incredible 94 swimmers competed in this outstanding event, held at Adwick Leisure Centre on Sunday afternoon 26th November 2023. Despite some of us getting caught up in horrendous traffic on the day - the gala began promptly at 2.00pm. Swimmers from age 6 - 17 participated in the whole range of events, with our youngest swimmers (aged 6-9 years) racing over 25m, and everyone else racing over 50m, plus the 100m Individual Medley. We were delighted to be joined by our DARTES swimmers, who don’t train with us as much these days, but who are eligible (and want) to swim for us in these championships. Detailed results are posted on our website.

For seventeen swimmers, this was their very first competition - and they put in some amazing swims. There were Personal Bests galore!! Let’s not forget how big a challenge this was for these children - but every one of them rose to the occasion magnificently. Hopefully, this is just the start of their swimming journey, with many more years of competing ahead.

Our senior swimmers, competing in the age 15-18 category continue to demonstrate the commitment and endeavour that is so refreshing to see - especially given the demands of examinations, part time work and social lives! Some of these swimmers are also involved as life guards and in coaching our younger swimmers in C Squad, and it is wonderful to see them wanting to give something back to their club. What fabulous ambassadors they are, and wonderful role models for our younger swimmers - we are so proud of them.

As we have mentioned before, events like this do not happen by themselves or by magic. Without the commitment of those who keep the club running by helping out with the organisation, as referees, IT, time keeping, announcing, officiating, marshalling, coaching and as team managers, such events would not run. Over thirty volunteers made the day run so smoothly and we are enormously grateful to them. Even Kingsley, our club mascot did his bit, cheering on every swimmer! Thank you to those who calmed him down when he got over excited and wanted to join in / jump in!

Finally - events like this need spectators - and you did not let us down - you turned up in style and in numbers and helped to create a great atmosphere for our swimmers - it would not be the same without you. We also value your support as families with getting your children to training regularly and on time, so that we can prepare them for competitions and improve them as swimmers.

Loads of photos were taken at the event by our photographer - it will take some time to process them - but we will let you know when they are ready. Some are on our FaceBook page now.

Our Annual Presentation Evening at Armthorpe Community Centre took place on Friday 1st December at 7.30pm - and what an evening it was. A good time was very definitely had by all who attended! The evening began with a disco (boy can those kids dance the night away!!) Followed by a series of presentations made to club members who have achieved the highest levels of performance at the club, including at the Schofield’s, Yorkshire and North East Regional Championships this year. Members of our Life Saving Club, including our Rookie Life Savers, and those who achieved their National Life Saving Academy Bronze Certificates earlier this year, were also congratulated.

Awards were presented as follows:

Top Girl and top Boy at the Schofield’s Championships:

C Squad:

Girls and Boys Aged 7 Evie Gilson and Evan Hobson

Girls and Boys Aged 8 Kelsey Andre and Alex Blanchard

Girls and Boys Aged 9 Amelia Drury and William Holmes

A and B Squads:

Girls Aged 9 Aria Sanders

Girls Aged 10 Georgie Arnold

Girls Aged 11 Sofia Sanders

Girls Aged 12 Millie Dey

Girls Aged 13 Emily Davies

Girls Aged 14 Grace Lazenby

Girls Aged 15 Isabel Child

Open Age  Paige Moore

Boys Aged 9 Ray Chapman

Boys Aged 10 Alexander Drury

Boys Aged 11 James Ellis

Boys Aged 12 Theo Thompson

Boys Aged 13 Lucas Stallard

Boys Aged 14 Vlad Akula

Boys Aged 15 Oscar Ellis

Open Age Nicholas Honeybone.

Coaches Achievement Awards 

  Sofia Sanders and Lucas Stallard

Performance Awards Millie Dey and James Ellis

Victor Ludorum Awards - to swimmers who won all their races at the Schofield’s:

Evie Gilson

Alex Blanchard

Amelia Drury

Sofia Sanders

James Ellis

Lucas Stallard

Isabel Child

After the presentations, it was time for food and Disco, and, eventually, bed! The final gala of the year is the DARTES “Swim-a-long-a-Santa” event at The John Charles Centre, Leeds on Sunday 3rd December. We hope to see you there!

Pete Hardy presents awards to the 2023 prizewinners: