Making a big splash

Making a big splash

17 June 2020

LECALE Swimming Club is an amateur club based at Down Leisure Centre in Downpatrick and trains over 150 swimmers from the age of six through to senior level.

The coaching team utilises a structured swim training plan for all groups and squads, which are set up with 

careful strategic analysis of performance.

Teams compete in the Provisional Towns League and at a younger level in the Forestfeast Aquasprints League. Individual swimmers also compete at internal club galas and at Swim Ulster and Swim Ireland events. 

Like so many sports clubs, Lecale’s season has been cut short and the Club is missing its strong camaraderie, training and competition.

Lecale coaches, committee and parents are very proud of all swimmers, and this article, in place of the club’s annual awards ceremony, is a reflection of the 2019/2020 season. 

The Forest Feast Aquasprint League aims to introduce Lecale’s young swimmers to the competitive aspect of swimming.

Before lockdown, their season had just started and Lecale’s team were delighted to host the first Aquasprint Gala of the season against City of Belfast in Down Leisure Centre. The team, captained by Harry Manley and Matilda Harty, secured a superb win. 

This year’s Provincial Towns League galas provided a fantastic opportunity for club members to swim competitively and aim for personal best times, whilst having fun and making new friends with other clubs.

The galas included a medley relay, individual back, breast, fly and free swims, individual medley and finally a freestyle relay for each of the four age groups. 

Lecale’s galas took place from September to February with two at Down Leisure Centre and two away. Lecale swam against Cookstown, Leander, Coleraine and Portadown with some extremely close scores. Many parents, coaches and volunteers helped time and again, and this was truly appreciated. 

Swimmers at Lecale are able to start on the competitive pathway through development and open galas. Thirty-one swimmers have competed this season, gaining personal best times and medals.

Of particular note, Tom Williamson was a medal winner in every event he entered across the four development meets of the season, winning eight gold medals, three silvers and one bronze medal.

Orla Gibney shone at the Ards Christmas meet, winning two golds, a silver and a trophy for the best performance in the age 12 category, while Matilda Harty was in fine form at the Templemore open meet, winning medals in all four of her events — one gold, two silvers and a bronze.

This season Lecale also had a squad of six elite swimmers who are involved in Swim Ulster Regional Talent Development and Performance Pathway, training and competing at national level.

They qualified to compete in Swim Ulster meets and were placed within the top five in their age group in the spring qualifying meets.

Swim Ulster National Qualifying Division 1 times were recorded for Adam Colgan, Adam Mahon and Aidan Mallett, Division 2 times for Christopher Mason and Rebecca Colgan and Aoife Mason were close to Division 2 times as the season was interrupted. 

Adam Colgan, Adam Mahon and Aidan Mallett qualified for the Swim Ulster short course championships in November and Aidan and Adam Colgan qualified for the McCullagh international meet in February, competing with the best swimmers in Ireland and GB, including Olympic swimmers Adam Peaty and Duncan Scott.

Adam Colgan also qualified for the Irish long course meet, which serves as the Irish Olympic trials, prior to its Covid-19 cancellation.

In challenging times for athletes used to training five or six times a week, swimmers now take part in functional land work training up to three times per week under the direction of club coaches. 

Up to 50 swimmers are regularly taking part in what has become a highlight of the week. Although it cannot take the place of training in water, coaches hope power, balance and coordination levels can be maintained and that the swimmers will be to get back to business in the pool at a future date. 

It is always sad to say goodbye to swimmers who are ready to move on after finishing their school career.  This season, Lecale said goodbye to Year 14 swimmers Chloe Galloway, Sarah Colgan, Peter Murphy and Tom Rodgers.

Coaches, committee and club members thank them for their long and dedicated association with the club and look forward to hearing about their successes in the future. 

The club also wishes to thank the outgoing captains, Chloe Galloway and James Kane, for their dedication and service to the club this season.

Lecale Swimming Club continues to take their lead from the governing bodies, Swim Ireland and Swim Ulster, and look forwards to welcoming swimmers back to training before too long and new members when the next season starts.