Squad’s bid to be best of British is put on hold
FOR eight of Derwentside Swimming Club’s talented youngsters the coronavirus outbreak could not have come at a worse time, writes TONY HODGSON.
The starlets - Jay Manners, Lewis Maxwell, Giorgia Harvey, Joel O’Halleron, Madison Peveller, Oliver O’Halleron, Jenna Dougal and Dan Morley - had been due to contest the prestigious British Championships and Olympic Trials at London’s Olympic pool.
This was their main focus for this season and for some it would have been their first visit to the London Aquatic Centre, scene of the swimming finals at the 2012 Olympic Games.
Some of the eight were first-time qualifiiers and some had fought back from injury and illness to qualify.
So to discover a day before the lockdown was imposed that the event had been called off was a devastating blow.
Also going the journey was the British Para-Swimming International Meet at the same venue, at which Derwentside’s Lyndon Longhorne was due to compete.
Next it was the turn of the junior swimmers to hear the news their Regional Championships had also been cancelled.
Derwentside head coach Paul Woodley said: “The news was heartbreaking coming so close to an event which the swimmers were already preparing for.
“However, I was super proud of how all of the swimmers and coaches from our club took the news of no Olympic Trials and other critical meets.
“Their attitude, effort and sense of togetherness were amazing.
“Fortunately for the club, our annual Developmental Meet had been held at the Louisa Centre in Stanley the weekend before lockdown.
“It raised valuable funds for the club and gave a lot of the younger and newer members of the club a last chance to compete.”
Once the pools were closed the coaches immediately started working on plans for a new type of training, something they have never had to do before.
Gym and circuit training was set up at different levels for all squads with a weekly schedule for everyone.
This was reviewed and amended every few weeks by strength and conditioning coach Andy Bullimore, who also sent out weekly yoga and pilates session for all swimmers to complete.
Club chairman Darren Maxwell said: “I would like to thank the whole coaching team at Derwentside ASC on behalf of the committee and all the parents.
“Their continued support of the swimmers has been invaluable during lockdown and has helped keep the swimmers fit at a difficult time.”’