Diamond Jubilee Swimming Gala

Norwich Swan’s Graded Gala was renamed the “Jubilee Gala” in honour of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Wymondham Leisure Centre was filled with patriotic red, white and blue instead of Norwich Swan’s usual green and white as the young swimmers paraded around the pool and stood to attention as the National Anthem boomed out over the pool. Each competitor was presented with a specially engraved commemorative coin to mark the royal occasion.

In the races for 8 year olds, Matthew Pitchers took a clean sweep of the 50m boys’ events. In the butterfly and freestyle he smashed the Club records with second placed Ben Woodhouse also ducking under the previous best times. Matthew also set new records in the 50m breaststroke and backstroke. Similarly Eva Moody set new Club best times in the 50m freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke. Rebecca Smith won the 50m butterfly in spectacular fashion carving a huge 2 seconds off the previous best. Saskia Faragher-Burton claimed 3 events in the 25m races for less experienced swimmers.

The much improved 9 year old Win Yan Lee claimed 4 events for 9 year old girls and was particularly impressive in the 50m butterfly where she overpowered all opposition to touch 9 seconds ahead of her nearest rival. Similarly James Noble showed potential by winning the 50m freestyle and backstroke.

The 50 events for 10 year old girls were probably the most hotly contested of the evening with Sophie Curtis, Freya Moody, Ellen Davidson and Tilly Enema all battling for the honours. It was gratifying that each girl won one gold medal with Tilly claiming two. In the equivalent boys events Harry-Lee Busby won the freestyle and breaststroke races in new personal best times and Oscar Almadin the 50m backstroke and butterfly. In the 25m events Joe Bond-Preston dominated, winning all four events he entered.

In the races for older competitors the cut-off times meant that some swimmers were prevented from competing in their strongest strokes, levelling the playing field and allowing less experienced swimmers to shine.

In the 50m events for 11year olds Ellie Leaker was particularly impressive winning three gold medals, with George Watkins and Jack Bond-Preston winning two apiece. Lauren Davidson and Ciara Gasson-Hudson won the breaststroke and freestyle respectively. Alice Brown claimed three titles in the 25m events showing that all her recent hard work in Cygnet Squad has paid dividends.

Rebecca Sibley won three events for 12 year old girls and touched second behind Robyn Woodhouse in the 50m butterfly and Megan Woodhouse in the 50m breaststroke. Jack Bond-Preston, George Watkins and Alex Husbands were all double winners in this age-group.

In the events for 13 year olds Morgan Gerrity laid down the gauntlet to others in her age group by winning the 50m breaststroke, 50 butterfly and 100m individual medley, proving that a good work ethic in training does indeed produce results. Joe Dann swam strongly to take all five boys events.

Senior swimmers who claimed gold medals were: Megan Curtis (4), Matthew Summers (2), Ashley Smith (2), Tara Muttitt (2) and Jessie Lunn (2).