Junior League 2016 – Championes, Championes, Ole, Ole, Ole

Hi Everyone,

I’m sure that you all know by now that we had yet another tremendous success in retaining our title as Durham and District Junior, or Diddy League Champions.  To win this once was a huge achievement but to manage it two years in a row is truly amazing.  Everyone involved, swimmers, coaches and supporters were terrific, but even to those not directly involved, the competition for team places was incredibly hot and that is what drives some of the super fast swimming.

What this does men is that we now need to prepare tor the Northern regional final in October – you’ll have the information as soon as we do.  So, we need to carry on with great coaching, great swimming and fantastic support across the board.

I have had some congratulations messages too – Dave Anderson MP and Councillor Paul Foy were in touch to say well done and how proud they were of all of you and the Rotary Club of Whickham, our long-standing junior league supporters also sent their congratulations.  I just wish they all could have been there to see your fantastic performances in the pool and Faye Brown’s wonderful wiggly celebration!!!

Kind regards,
Andy Strickland

************************************************************************************************

Hot of the press..  WE WON!!!!! official results/scores now available.  What a great performance from our team.  Well done.

Diddy Final Results

************************************************************************************************

Junior League Final Time Trials 2016

On Friday evening (13^th) we had our trials for the junior league final.  As expected, the competition was hot and the atmosphere electric.  There were fantastic performances throughout and the racing and times were tight.  I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for coming out, swimmers and parents, and showing your support for the club.  In the end there were a number of swims that were just too close to call and so we will be taking one or two reserves along as well. A final decision on relay team selection will be made just before the event with performance in our ‘Diddy’ practice sessions the deciding factor.  Swimmers (and parents) will be told in advance of the event if they are coming along as a reserve but we’d really like them all to be there at the final.  Last year two people were sick on the day and the reserves stepped in and did a fantastic job.

Everybody on the squad list will be required at the final and I’d appreciate it if you got back to our team manager, Jill Barrett, as soon as possible with confirmation.

For everyone that hasn’t quite made the squad this time I’d like to say a big thank you for all your efforts.  In some categories there were just 1.5s between the top 6 or 7 swimmers which is why the trials were so crucial to selection

Thanks Again

Paul

************************************************************************************************

Hi Diddy Leaguers

Another great effort by all involved in this year’s Diddy competition.  Once again the swimmers did the Club proud and finished second overall – even though we received zero points in a number of events where we were judged to have been DQ’d.

Anyway, well done and here’s the final points from Gala 4 held on Sunday 8th May 2016.

Stockton 236

GaW 203

Chester le Street 179

Newcastle 172

Derwentside 127

Darlington 107

************************************************************************************************

Well another fun-packed, nail-biting day in the world of diddy league with Team G&W putting in another terrific performance.  Huge well done to everyone who took part.  Gala 3’s scores on the doors……I think 🙂

STOCKTON – 239
GATESHEAD & WHICKHAM – 182
MIDDLESBROUGH – 178
TYNEMOUTH – 170
NEWCASTLE – 155
DERWENTSIDE – 123

I’ll get the full results rolled out as soon as I get them.

Thanks
Jill

************************************************************************************************

Hi Diddy Leaguers,

Well the first round of Diddy League 2016 certainly didn’t disappoint,  we’re off to a fantastic start!  All the kids were absolutely amazing!

Special mention must go to Millie Watson and Neve Orrick both stepping in to help the team with 1 hour notice, thank you girls

I believe the scores below to be correct……either way WE WON!!

1  GATESHEAD & WHICKHAM – 229
2  MIDDLESBROUGH – 203
3 CHESTER-LE-STREET – 198
4 TYNEMOUTH – 170
5 DERWENTSIDE – 129
6 DARLINGTON – 100

Full results will follow as soon as I get them.

Thanks
Jill

************************************************************************************************

Dear Team GAW Swimmers and Parents,

This is a brief note to explain and outline selection policy for the upcoming junior league season.  The Junior League is a fantastic competition designed to give our younger swimmers the opportunity to compete in an exciting team environment and is often the first, and most enjoyable, step on their competition pathway.

2015 was a groundbreaking season for TEAM GAW as we reached first the regional, and then national finals for the first time in the club’s history.  This success was largely based on a strong selection policy, as well as an incredibly talented squad!  We will look, this year, to follow a very similar formula.

In 2015 we selected a record number of athletes as we endeavoured to give the ‘diddy’ experience to as many of our swimmers as possible.  Where we can, during this season, we will follow the same plan.  It is important to note that if an athlete is selected for a team they will not automatically be selected for the next; it is our policy (in the qualifying rounds) to give as many athletes a chance as possible whilst remaining competitive.  Likewise, if an athlete is not selected for the first team that does not necessarily mean they will not be in contention for future teams.  Our junior final team last year looked completely different from the one with which we started the competition.  All team selections are carefully considered and there will be a great deal of input from junior coaches.

Naturally, selection for the Junior League final (should we qualify!) will be the strongest possible.  We are, after all, in it to win it!

I’m greatly looking forward to seeing as many athletes as possible swimming their hearts out for TEAM GAW and having a fantastic time in the process 🙂

Kind Regards

Paul

*********************************************************************************************