Sheffield Takes Centre Stage

The eyes of the aquatic world will be on Sheffield this summer as Ponds Forge stages two major events in its international swimming pool.

City of Sheffield Swim Squad is set for a record medal total in the Cheestrings ASA National Age Group Championships, which take place from July 27th to July 30th. Eleven local swimmers have qualified for the annual event, which features 800 competitors aged 11 to 14, and hopes are high for Sheffield's girls team who are ranked in first place for the 4 x 100m freestyle relay event.

Other medal prospects include Sheffield-based trio Lucy Spencer (13), in the 100m and 200m breastroke, Eleanor Falconer (13), in the 800m and 1500m freestyle, Braxston Timm (14), in the 100m and 200m butterfly and, from Rotherham, Rebecca Turner (13), in the 100m, 200m and 400m freestyle.

The City of Sheffield Swim Squad is also targeting a medal hoard in the ASA National Youth Championships, with 25 local swimmers set to compete in 106 swims. Taking place at Ponds Forge from August 1st to August 6th, the event will feature more than 600 swimmers, aged 14 to 18, from countries all over the world including Canada, Australia, Singapore and South Africa.

Going for medal glory will be Max Partridge (16), from Eckington, in the 100m and 200m breastroke, and from Sheffield, Debbie Hall (17), in the 100m and 200m breaststroke , and Andy Shepherd (22) in the 50m and 100m backstroke. Also Chris Middleton (18), from Rotherham is expected to medal in the 100 and 200 Freestyle and the 200 IM, and Amy Spencer from Sheffield (16), in the 100m Breaststroke. Several other swimmers should make finals and have outside chances for medals.

The event will also incorporate disability competitions with James Crisp and Zoe Clayton, from Scawthorpe in Doncaster, aiming for medals.

Russ Barber, head coach of The City of Sheffield Swim Squad, said 'This is a fantastic number of qualifiers for our squad and one of the largest in the country. It highlights the tremendous development of our structured approach to coaching and competitions. We have a squad that is more than capable of collecting a hatful of medals at these championships and home advantage will certainly be a bonus with our swimmers regularly training and competing in the Ponds Forge pool.' All these swimmers train with the Sheffield City Council Swim Training Scheme which provides the infrastructure to support the coaches and swimmers.

In addition to the National Championships, City of Sheffield swimmers are also making waves further afield. James Kirton (21), is flying out with coach Russ Barber to Budapest (Hungary) on 26th July to represent Great Britain at the European Championships. Currently ranked 9th in world for 200m Breaststroke, James is looking at making the final and hopefully winning a medal.

The 2007 World Championship team will be picked from this meet...James has to achieve 2.13.4 to be selected for the GB team, his personal best is 2.12.9 so it’s looking good.

Chris Middleton (17) and Max Partridge (16) recently competed at the European Junior Championships in Palma Majorca between the 6th – 9th July. Both swam very well, with Chris getting a silver medal in the 4x100Fs team in a personal best time of 51.7. Max won a bronze medal with the 4x100 medley team in a time of 1.04.5. Max was competing a year young, so has next year to look forward to, competing in Antwerp.

Amy Spencer (16) was selected as team captain for the GB Schools team, competing at the World Schools Championships in Athens, Greece between 28th – 30th June. Unfortunately she got food poisoning whilst out there, and was not at full fitness, but still managed to pull out a 1.15.6 in the 100m Breaststroke.

James Crisp (23) competed at the Disabled Sports England National Championships last weekend. James swam very well and has qualified for the World Championships in Durban, South Africa in December. He will be competing in the 100m Backstroke, 400m Freestyle and 200m IM.

Congtratulations to all swimmers and good luck to James for the European Champs