Leander Party and Awards

Leander Party and Club Awards

Thank you to everyone who came to our event last Saturday, it was great to see everyone as this was our first event since 2019 after a challenging few years with Covid.

We were delighted to present awards to swimmers across all squads (see list below) and announce some new appointments.
We were delighted to announce that Edgar Andrade has been appointed Head Coach of Leander.  We have been lacking a Head Coach for some time, but Edgar we believe has the skills, experience, and character to take on such an important leadership role. 

We also welcome a Club Manager, Natalie Hutchens.  Natalie’s role is to work on the operational and development side of the Club along with the Committee, Edgar and Sue Forkin, our Academy Head. 

Last season was about swimmers getting back in the pool and this season is about becoming a Club again.  Leander Swimming Club comprises the swimmers, their parents and family, our coaches and teachers as well as our volunteers and Committee.  We are all here to see the swimmers thrive in a safe, secure and happy environment.  We want them to achieve to the best of their ability whether they are a Club swimmer, a county or regional swimmer or a swimmer at National level.

Leander is a not for profit organisation run by volunteers, but we can’t help our swimmers thrive and develop if we don’t have volunteers.  If we all give a little time, skill or experience, then the workload is split across many hands.  Crucially we need technical volunteers – timekeepers and gala officials. If we don’t have technical volunteers, our gala entries won’t be accepted, our swimmers can’t compete to get official times, they then won’t qualify for counties, regionals or nationals.  If you would be keen to find out how you could help our Club, please email [email protected]

Here's to a fantastic 22/23 season!
Pam McArdle – Chair

AWARDS 2022

1.SWIMMERS SWIMMER
The only award voted by the swimmers for a swimmer who they think embodies an excellent team mate.It could be someone who motivates them to swim better, someone who makes them feel welcome in the squad, or someone who encourages them when they need it.

Mercury – Xander Lawrie and Lucy Hufton

Platinum – Oscar Farnell and Megan Flood

Gold – Aaron Rahmen and Alexandra Dulny

Silver – Freya Taylor-Moon and Megan Pang

Bronze – Clemmie Hufton and Patrick McCarthy
 

2.ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
For excellent swimming achievement during the season

Mercury – Sonny Thomas

Platinum – Ryan Flood

Gold – Thomas Byatt

Silver – Mimi Liddle

Bronze – William Byatt

Sparks – Molly Berry
 

3.ENDEAVOUR AWARD
Awarded to the squad member who has the best attendance and highest level of commitment and consistency in training – setting an excellent example to others and putting themselves in the best position to achieve results in the future.

Mercury – Lucy Hufton and Xander Lawrie

Platinum – Elizabeth Goodbody and Ciaran Lyons

Gold – Stella Verrycken and Charles Freville

Silver – Zoe Myers and Freddie Raistrick-Scott

Bronze – Jasmine Lynch and Matteo Faulkner

Sparks - and Ben Rankin

4.ROLE MODEL
Based on commitment, hard work, attendance, attitude, consistency, technical execution and performance

Xander Lawrie
 

5.RELAY OF THE SEASON
Above expectations set they won the 14-16 yr old 4x200 free LC relay during regionals with a team of 1 16 year old and 3 15 year olds, racing against teams of 16 years olds.

Sonny Thomas, Xander Lawrie, Adrien Lespiau-Curiel, William Nogueira
 

6.BEST RACE
Based on FINA points – also means the quality of the race in relation to the world record.

400 free LC in 4’14’’24 giving 648 fina points and the gold medal at Nationals – Sonny Thomas

50 backstroke LC with 631 Fina points – Kiera McArdle

7.GB/NATIONAL SWIMMERS

Jess, Keira, Adrien, Sonny, Xander, Jimmy, Lachlan.

8.CLUB RECORDS

Kiera McArdle – 50 Backstroke short course 30.94 secs and also LC in 31’’45

Jess To – 50 back LC in 31’’60

Jimmy Dakin – 100 free LC in 54’’77 and 1500 free LC in 17’27’’76

Sonny Thomas – 5 records – 800 and 1500 free, 400 free, 800 free again where he broke his own record.

9.SWIMMER-WORKER
Awarded to the swimmer who has continued to consistently train while working

Jacob Mason
 

10.WORLD QUALIFIER
At the Down Syndrome World Champs next month in Portugal

Amelia Freeland

11. ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
With 2 gold medals at nationals and 5 club records broken

Sonny Thomas