Swim Ulster held their first Development Gala of the season on Sunday 2 October 2016 in the Orchard Leisure Centre in Armagh.  This year Swim Ulster split the Development Galas into regions, north and south and assigned a region to each swim club.  This was to reduce the length of the gala and also to reduce travel time to and from galas.  Breifne Swim Club was assigned to the south region.

One of the most notable changes that Swim Ulster implemented for the 2016-2017 season was the technical assessment on the Individual Medley.  This was to ensure that all swimmers progressing to the Qualifying Meets have four legal strokes and can execute good streamlining on turns (hips past the flags).  Swimmers under 11 years old had to be assessed on 100M Individual Medley while swimmers over 11 years old had to be assessed on 200M Individual Medley.  There were 6 swimmers from Breifne Swim Club who passed their technical assessment.  They were Louis Maguire, Conor Hourihane, Clodagh Clarke, Abby McDowell and Dara Ronan.

There were 17 swimmers across all squads from Breifne Swim Club competing on the day.  On the day there were 14 different events which the Breifne swimmers took part in.  There were 17 Personal Best times achieved at this gala.

Three gold medals were won on the day by Louis Maguire for 100M IM, 50M Breaststroke and 50M Backstroke.  Four silver medals were won by Dara Ronan for 200M IM. 100M Back, 100M Free Kick and 100M Freestyle.  Dara also gained 3 Swim Ulster qualifying times in 200M IM, 100M Backstroke and 100M Freestyle.  There were two bronze medals won, one by Aoibhean Clarke for 100M IM and Louis Maguire for 50M Breaststroke.

Breifne Swim Club had three relay teams entered in this gala with the first team taking part in the 9-10 Medley Relay.  On the team were Charlie Gannon swimming backstroke, Hamish Vickerman swimming breaststroke, Clodagh Clarke swimming butterfly and Ella Maguire swimming Freestyle.  This team came in fourth place narrowly missing out on a third place bronze medal.

The second and third relay teams swam in the 11-12 Medley Relay event. 

The first team consisting of Aoibhean Clarke swimming backstroke, Maia Smith swimming breaststroke, Dara Ronan swimming butterfly and Louis Maguire swimming freestyle won the relay taking home gold medals.

The second team consisting of Katie Gannon swimming backstroke, Ben Tully swimming breaststroke, Emily Sheridan swimming butterfly and Sean Og Hourihane swimming freestyle.  This relay team came second taking home silver medals.

For a full list of results, please click here.

Swim Ulster ran a Swim Ireland Level 1 and Level 2 Officials Course  at Cavan Leisure Centre on Sunday 25 September 2016.  The course included timekeeping and judging with both classroom work and in water demonstrations.

The course was attended by both parents and committee members of Breifne Swim Club along with members from other swim clubs.

Frank Stevens from Swim Ulster was the course tutor for the day.

NAC Swim Club are holding their annual NAC Minnows Gala on Sunday 9 October 2016 in the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin.

Please note that the age for this gala is at 31 December 2016 and not age on the day of the gala.

Swimmers aged 12 and under may compete in the afternoon’s session’s 100M events but will be competing for medals against all swimmers 14 and under who enter 100M events.

Breifne closing date for this gala is Sunday 25 September 2016 at 10.00 am.  Meet information can be found here.

Just to clarify a few points on this gala:

On reading the gala information it all may sound a bit complicated.  However, the basic idea is that there will now be much more focus on swimmers’ technique and correct strokes.  Medals will still be awarded for first, second and third place but in order for a swimmer to graduate to the next level of Swim Ulster Galas, (Qualifying Gala), he/she must have correct stroke and streamlining techniques.  These techniques will be assessed by designated coaches during the Individual Medley events at Development galas.

100M Freestyle kick, this is a “freestyle kick with board” event, as swimmers do in training.  Boards will be provided.  Swim Ulster Andrew Reid is to send more information to coaches about this event.

Relays – Relays are Open (any age) and mixed – 2 boys and 2 girls.  Although it is not a medalled event swimmers will always enjoy relays so please consider staying on for them.

Individual Medley – 11 years.  Some of you may have noticed on the Programme of Events that 11 year olds are down as eligible for both 100M and 200M I.M’S.  This has been queried and 11 year olds can swim either Individual Medley event.

There is a new Breifne Gala Entry Form on the Upcoming Gala page, which shows what information should be sent with entries.  It is not essential to use the actual form but please supply requested information.  If a swimmer does not have a time for a particular event, put NT.  Swimmers from one family can enter on one form.

Reminder that entries should reach gala secretary by Friday 16 September at 9.00 am.