A Message from Ian Thorpe

I'd like to share with you an extract from Ian Thorpe's recent Autobiography "This is Me". These are not the words of a coach but the words of one of history's greatest Swimmers who won 5 Olympic Gold Medals; 

 "The Olympic final that year [Sydney 2000] was another matter altogether. As I dived in, all I remember – apart from the noise in the stadium – is that the water felt cold and that I swam the first 50 metres probably a little too quickly, spurred by the excitement. If I look back at the race, which I'm sometimes forced to when making presentations…

I notice all sorts of little mistakes, like breathing as I came into the turns and lazy kicks off the wall…

They're both habits picked up at training – when you swim a ridiculous number of lengths day in day out, you tend to look for moments of rest…

The problem is when those bad habits creep in to the race itself."

 …The moral of the story as I have tried to emphasise many times; do in training always, as you need to do in the race. Keep the skills constant throughout  all our sets.

Keep up the Hard Work!!!

Kevin, Tom, Elysha, Josh & Mark 

Training Changes

The British International Open Meet will be taking place at John Charles between the 6th & 10th March which means there will be some disruption to training.

Regional 1:

Wednesday 6th March (Pm): Normal

Thursday 7th March (Am):  5:00 - 6:30am (Open to all ages)

Thursday 7th March (Pm):  No Training

Friday 8th March (Am):  5:00 - 6:30am (Open to all ages) with Elysha

Friday 8th March (Pm):  No Training

Sunday 10th March (Pm):  Normal

Regional 2:

Wednesday 6th March (Pm): No Training

Thursday 7th March (Am):  5:00 - 6:30am (Open to all ages)

Thursday 7th March (Pm):  Normal

Friday 8th March (Pm):  Normal

Sunday 10th March (Pm):  Normal

Thanks

Kevin, Tom, Elysha, Josh & Mark

Solid Start to New Year at Grand Prix Meet

A good weekend of racing in our home pool at the weekend.  It was good to see the first racing of 2013.  We are looking forward to seeing some quality swimming at the Yorkshires in February.  

Over all 

Regional 1 achieved 113 Pb's out of 155 Swims, 41 more Yorkshire Qualifying Times, 6 NER Times, 15 Gold Medals, 22 Silver Medals and 14 Bronze Medals.  

Gold Medalists (9)
Eleanor (3), Katherine (3), Viktoria (2), Angelo (1), Sam W (1), Ciara S (1), Ciara W (1), Abigail J (1), Thomas J (1), Jamie (1)

Silver Medalists (14)

Sam K (1), Katherine (3), Viktoria (2), Amber (1), Rebecca (3), Helena (2), Angelo (2), Sam W (2), Huzayfa (1), Charlotte (1), Lauren (1), Jade (2), Jamie (1)

Bronze Medalists (11)

Katherine (1), Viktoria (1), Amber (1), Danielle (1), Angelo (2), Huzayfa (2), John (1), Ciara S (2), Megan (1), Shaheen (1), Helena (1)

Regional 2 achieved 121 Pb's out of 196 Swims, 36 more Yorkshire Qualifying Times, 20 Gold Medals, 11 Silver Medals and 10 Bronze Medals.  Brilliant!!!

Gold Medalists (12)
Ella (2), Jess (1), Hannah A (2), Joseph H (1), Rebecca C (3), Jake H (1), Tia (3), Daniel (2), Johnathan (1), Aaron (1), Jake H (2), Steph (1)

Silver Medalists (7)

Jess (2), Hannah A (1), Nathan S (1), Joe S (4), Johnathan (1), Liam (1), Steph W (1)

Bronze Medalists (10)

Ella (1), Jess (1), Maisy (1), Hannah A (1), Joseph H (1), Rebecca C (1), Nathan S (1), Joe S (1), Aaron (1), Jake S (1)

Keep up the hard work in the training pool and hopefully the results will pay off at the Yorkshires in the racing pool.

Well Done Everyone!!!

Kevin, Tom, Elysha, Josh & Mark

Land Training Changes

Hi All,

As from Monday 28th January we will be conducting land training in squads rather than a younger and older age group. Therefore Regional 1 swimmers should attend one week and Regional 2 swimmers the following week.

As a trial for the following weeks we will also be allowing the younger swimmers to have an opportunity to do land training. This will be for a 15 minute period before the start of the session. This time will be used to introduce the exercises to the younger swimmers and teach correct technique and form. The younger swimmers should ensure they are already changed to go in the pool before land training and are just wearing t-shirt and shorts over their costumes as well as wearing suitable trainers.

It is essential that swimmers arrive on time for land training as it is in any pool session, so that everyone can join in the warm up before the session starts. We understand that it can be difficult with traffic and work commitments, however our main priority is the safety of the swimmers and to prevention any injuries, therefore anyone arriving after the warm up will be instructed to do stretches and band work on poolside.

For swimmers aged 11 years and over in each squad, land training will begin at 5.30pm and finish at 6.10pm. 

For swimmers aged 9 and 10 in each squad, land training will begin at 6.10pm and finish at 6.25pm.

28/01/2013: Regional 2
04/02/2013: Regional 1
11/02/2013: Regional 2
18/02/2013: Regional 1
25/02/2013: Regional 2
04/03/2013: Regional 1

Thanks

Tom

NER 50m Qualifying Times 2013

Hi All,

I have attached a link on the blog to the new North Eastern Qualifying Times for 2013.  This competition is the biggest in the Regional Age Groups competition calendar where you will race the best swimmers in the North East.  Well done to those swimmers who managed to achieve a qualifying time over the weekend.  There is still quite a while before the closing date so keep working hard and chancing those times.  I am going to print you all a copy so you can see which times you are close to.  In the upcoming meets I advise swimmers to enter races which they are closest to achieving a NER qualifying time in.

The link can be found under Qualification times for future meets on the right hand side of the blog.

Kevin, Tom, Elysha, Josh & Mark 

Snow

Good afternoon all,

 

Happy Snow Day everyone….Hope your all ok and keeping warm in this lovely weather!

 

Training this evening will go ahead as normal…..we appreciate some kids physically just wont be able to get here but they are been advised too attend if they can as we are open as usual J

 

Vicky has said she will try get here for the Yorkshire Entries but if she can't then please do the process as below!

 

Parents…….If you don't manage to get here and you need to submit your Yorkshire Entries, you can do this by emailing them across to Ophelia. They need to be sent no later than 5pm on 23.01.13 email address cityofleedssc@hotmail.co.uk. Please clearly state all the details which are required. You will then need to go to the Denison next Monday night to pay for the entries.

 

If we have any other changes then I will get the information out asap, so keep your emails on!!

Take care everyone.

Training Changes

Friday 18th January

Both squads will be training for just one hour before the meet so you can all get home and go to bed early.

Regional 1 will train at the earlier time of 6.30 - 7.30pm rather than 7.00 - 8.30pm.

Sunday 20th January

There will be no training at Armley due to nearly everyone competing in the New Year Meet.  

If you are not competing on this day and would like to still train there will be a session available at Kirkstall 1800-1930 with Lyn and Emily.

Thanks

Kevin, Tom, Elysha, Josh & Mark

Yorkshire SA Championships & Yorkshire SA Sprints Championships Entries

Entries for this competition will be taken on Monday 21st January.  The Yorkshire Championships is one of the biggest competitions in the Regional Squads calendar and therefore swimmers should enter all races they have achieved a qualifying time in.  For some swimmers it may look like you have a lot of events to swim when you fill your forms in, however the meet is spread across three weekends so you won't have to swim everything all in one go.

We will be available for signing forms on Friday night after training, over the weekend at the meet and on Monday morning.  We will not be able to sign forms on Monday evening as we will be coaching from 4.30pm on wards.  Please try your best to get your forms to us before Monday night.

Entry forms can be downladed and printed using the link below:

http://www.swimleeds.org.uk/meets/yorkshire-championships-2013-leeds-entry-form.pdf

Thanks

Kevin, Tom, Elysha, Josh & Mark

City of Leeds New Year Grand Prix Meet

The City of Leeds New Year Grand Prix Meet is our first meet of 2013.  Some of you are going to try and grab those last minute Yorkshire times before the official closing date next week.  
 
Please remember it is City of Leeds policy to arrive 30 minutes before the warm up starts.
 

Session 1 on Saturday will warm up at 08:00, start at 09:00 and finish about 12:00

Session 2 on Saturday will warm up at 13:00 star,t at 14:00 and finish about 17:30

Session 3 on Sunday will warm up at 08:00 start, at 09:00 and finish about 12:00

Session 4 on Sunday will warm up at 13:00 start, at.14:00 and finish about 17:00

 
The programme for the weekend can be viewed by clicking the following link.
http://www.swimleeds.org.uk/meets/leeds-new-year-grand-prix-2013-programme.pdf

"An athlete cannot race with money in his pockets.  He must race with hope in his heart and dreams in his head" (Emil Zatopek - Four time Olympic gold medallist)

Good Luck lets make it a good one.

Kevin, Tom, Elysha, Josh & Mark 

Swimathon

One of our swimmers Hannah Abassi is taking part in the Swimathon in April to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care .  All the money she raises will go towards providing hands on care and emotional support to people with terminal illnesses, in the comfort of their homes.  If you would like to sponsor Hannah or read her story please click the link below.

http://my.artezglobal.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=415685&langPref=en-CA&Referrer=http%3a%2f%2fwww.swimathon.org%2fpage.php%3fpage%3dsponsor_a_swimmer

Hannah thanks you for your support. 

Training Changes

Hi All,

Just to let you all know in advance that there will be no training at Armley on Sunday 20th January due to nearly everyone competing in the New Year Meet.  

If you are not competing on this day and would like to still train there will be a session available at Kirkstall 1800-1930 with Lyn and Emily.

Thanks

Kevin, Tom, Elysha, Josh & Mark

Shop-a-holics Wanted

The Club is holding its first bag packing event of 2013 at Sainsbury's,Colton on February 3^rd. The store is open from 11 till 5 and it would be great for everyone to get involved to raise funds for our club.  All money raised will go towards the Junior League, Arena League, Welsh Summer Nationals, Nationals and anything else that may support the swimmers.

Please contact Liz Rogers on 07534467348 or lizhrogers@hotmail.co.uk to register and for more information.

Happy New Year!

Hello Everyone,

 
Welcome back to training.  Hope you all had a fantastic Xmas and New Year.  
 
We have now started the block of training which will take us through to our next big meet which is the Yorkshires in February.  Entries for this will be taken in the Denison Suite on Monday 21st January.  All Qualifiers should enter as this is one of the biggest meets in the Regional Calendar.  
 

Just a reminder that the club membership/ ASA registration fees are due on the  and must be paid by the end of February at the latest.  Failure to do so will result in the swimmer being removed from the ASA register which will mean having to reapply before they can compete in any swim meets. A re-registration fee of £25-00 will then become payable in addition to full fees.  As a concession once again this year the club are giving an early payment discount for each class of full membership below of £5-00 if the fees are paid before 31st January 2013. In addition anyone holding a current Leeds Card Extra will be entitled to a further 40% discount off club membership fees only, not ASA registration etc. This year for the first time you will have the option of paying by card. There will be no charge for debit cards but a flat fee of £6 will apply to credit card transactions. 

Only ASA registered swimmers times will transfer to the ASA database which is used for entry times. Consequently any swimmer failing to apply or renew their ASA registration will not be able to enter meets as entry times will not be available. Also they will have no insurance in force.

As agreed at the AGM, the membership fees have not been increased this year. The ASA registration fees have been increased slightly. In addition we have to pay capitation to NEC and YSA which have also increased slightly. The figures below, which are the due amounts, include all fees and capitation and take into account these increases.

1st child in family £105.00

2nd child in family £  74.00

3rd and further child in family £  59.00

Thanks

Kevin, Tom, Elysha, Josh & Mark

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Hi All,

Well done for all the fantastic swimming this year.  We hope to see you all at the Xmas Party on Sunday at AMF in the Merrion Centre around 4.15pm.  

Here is a reminder of when Training is on over Christmas.

Regional 1

Sunday 23rd December:  No Training (Xmas Party 4.15 - 7.00 pm, AMF)

Monday 24th December:  No Training

Wednesday 26th December:  No Training

Thursday 27th December:  7:00 - 8:00 am = All 11yrs + from Regional 1 & 2 with Tom & Elysha (JCC)

Thursday 27th December:  8:00 - 9:00 am = All 10 yrs and under from Regional 1 & 2 with Tom & Elysha (JCC)

Friday 28th December:  7:00 - 9:00 am with Tom & Elysha (JCC)

Sunday 30th December:  No Training

Monday 31st January:  7:00 - 8:00 am = All 11yrs + from Regional 1 & 2 with Tom & Elysha (JCC)

Monday 31st January:  8:00 - 9:00 am = All 10 yrs and under from Regional 1 & 2 with Tom & Elysha (JCC)

Wednesday 2nd January:  Training back to normal (Elysha covering)

Thursday 3rd January:  Training Normal (Richard, Mark & Lucy covering)

I am on holiday from 27th December, I will return back to training on Friday 4th January.  If you have any problems please see Tom or Elysha in my absence.

Regional 2

Sunday 23rd December:  No Training (Xmas Party 4.15 - 7.00 pm, AMF)

Monday 24th December:  No Training

Wednesday 26th December:  No Training

Thursday 27th December:  7:00 - 8:00 am = All 11yrs + from Regional 1 & 2 with Tom & Elysha (JCC)

Thursday 27th December:  8:00 - 9:00 am = All 10 yrs and under from Regional 1 & 2 with Tom & Elysha (JCC)

Friday 28th December:  6:30 - 8:00 pm (Armley)

Sunday 30th December:  No Training

Monday 31st January:  7:00 - 8:00 am = All 11yrs + from Regional 1 & 2 with Tom & Elysha (JCC)

Monday 31st January:  8:00 - 9:00 am = All 10 yrs and under from Regional 1 & 2 with Tom & Elysha (JCC)

Wednesday 2nd January:  Training back to normal

Thank you for all the wonderful Christmas gifts and cards we received from you all.  Hope you all have a great Xmas, go see you friends and family, play with your toys and have a well deserved break before starting the hard work again in the new year. We hope Santa visits you all.  Make sure you all stay safe and most importantly have fun! 

  

All the best 

Kevin, Tom, Elysha, Josh & Mark

Membership Fees

Hi All,

Just a reminder to everyone that your club membership fees and ASA Registration are due in January. John Clayton, Membership Secretary, will be available in the new year on a Monday night to take payments.

Thanks

Kevin, Tom, Elysha, Josh & Mark

Thursday Morning & Friday Pm

Thursday 20th December Am

As it is the last 5am start of 2012, Thursday morning will be open to all ages if you wish to attend.  The plan at the moment is to swim for 45 minutes and then have a game of waterpolo in the diving pit.

 

Friday 21st December 

Please bring a T Shirt along wih you to training as we will be having a T Shirt relay at the end of the session.

 

Thanks

 

Kevin, Tom, Elysha, Josh & Mark 

A Great Finish to 2012

There was some great racing from the Regional Squads at the Leeds Christmas meet, finishing 2012 in style. 

Regional 1

Regional 1 achieved 145 PB's out of 188 Swims, 45 more Yorkshire Times, 14 Golds, 16 Silvers and 12 Bronze Medals.

Gold Medallists (6)

Eleanor (6), Angelo (1), Shaheen (4), Jamie (1), Katherine (1), Ciara S (1)

Silver Medallists (8)

Eleanor (1), Amber (1), Matthew (5), Shaheen (2), Jamie (2), Ciara S (1), Charlotte (2), Jade (2)

Bronze Medallists (7)

Matthew (2), Angelo (3), Shaheen (2), Katherine (2), Ciara S (1), Viktoria (1), Dianielle (1) 

Regional 2

Regional 2 achieved 124 PB's out of 163 Swims, 33 more Yorkshire Times, 17 Golds, 22 Silvers and 15 Bronze Medals.

Gold Medallists (9)

Jess (2), Daniel (1), Joseph H (1), Tia (6), Steph (1), Rebecca (1), Ella (2), Maisy (1), Liam (2)

Silver Medallists (11)

Jess (3), Eve (1), Daniel (3), Jospeh H (2), Tia (1), Hannah A (3), Steph (1), Rebecca (4), Jake H (1), Liam (1), Ella (2)

Bronze Medallists (9)

Henry (1), Robbie (2), Jess (3), Eve (1), Joe S (1), Hannah A (1), Steph (3), Nathan S (1), Jenna (1)

A fantastic effort from both squads!  We are very proud of you all.  Keep up the hard work and the fantastic results will continue to come in 2013.

Results can be viewed using the following link:

http://www.swimleeds.org.uk/results/2012/leeds-xmas-grand-prix-2012-results.pdf

Kevin, Tom, Elysha, Josh & Mark

Christmas Grand Prix

Saturday & Sunday am
Arrive: 07:30
Warm Up:  08:00
Start:  09:00
 
Saturday & Sunday pm
Arrive:  12:30
Warm Up:  13:00
Start:  14:00
 
Please note that the spectator area will be open from 07:00 on Saturday and from 07:30 on Sunday. This area is for spectators only and must not be used for swimmers during the course of warm-ups or whilst the meet is in progress.
 
Good Luck to everyone competing this weekend.  You are all looking good in the water at the moment, hopefully you can all transfer this into the racing pool.  For those of you who did not compete at the North Easters this is now your chance to shine.
 
There are some great raffle prizes this year, so please buy a ticket.  All money raised will be used to benefit the swimmers.  Tickets are available to buy from the enterance desk on the balcony.
 
Please remember that there is no training on Sunday 16th due to the Gala.  Training for both squads will just be for an hour on Friday night so you can all get to bed early ready to race hard on Saturday.
 
"When I go out and race, I'm not trying to beat opponents, I'm trying to beat what I have done ... to beat myself, basically. People find that hard to believe because we've had such a bias to always strive to win things. If you win something and you haven't put everything into it, you haven't actually achieved anything at all. When you've had to work hard for something and you've got the best you can out of yourself on that given day, that's where you get satisfaction from."
Ian Thorpe
 
"I concentrate on preparing to swim my race and let the other swimmers think about me, not me about them."
Amanda Beard
 
SMASH IT!!!
 
Kevin, Tom, Elysha, Josh & Mark

City of Leeds New Year Grand Prix Meet

Hi All,

 

Entries for the City of Leeds New Year Grand Prix Meet will be taken on Monday 17th December.

 

We advise swimmers to enter any events you are not swimming this weekend and have not already qualified for in the February Yorkshires.

 

We would like all the swimmers who have taken part in the 800m and 1500m training on a Thursday morning to attempt this event in the January Meet.  This will be most of the 11 year olds and above.  Please ask if you are unsure.  We will use a standard time of 22 min for 1500m entries and 12 min for 800m entries.

 

We will be avalable for signing forms on Friday pm after training, during the meet at the weekend and after training on Monday am.  We will not be able to sign forms on Monday pm due to coaching.

 

Entry forms can be printed using the link below:

http://www.swimleeds.org.uk/meets/leeds-new-year-grand-prix-2013-leeds-entry-form.pdf

 

Thanks

 

Kevin, Tom, Elysha, Josh & Mark

ARENA Northern Final

John Charles was once again the Venue for the North-East ARENA League final this weekend.

 

The competition and rivalry between Leeds and Sheffield continued to the bitter end.  City of Leeds trailed Sheffield by no more than 4 points until the last 10 events when a surge of relay wins took us 2 points ahead.  There was only going to be 1 point in it either way...But in the end, it was ours.

 

1st. City of Leeds = 224

2nd. City of Sheffield = 243

3rd.  Doncaster = 176

4th.  City of Newcastle = 159

5th.  City of Sunderland = 119

 

City of Leeds now progress to the National Final on April 28th 2013

 

A Fantastic effort from the TEAM

Christmas Party

Hi All,

 

Please remember that if you are wanting to go to the Christmas Party on Sunday 23rd December and have not paid, it will be your last chance to do so on Monday. 

 

Megan's Mum will collect any last payments on Sunday night at Armley or on Monday night at the Tombola Stand.

 

Thanks

 

Kevin, Tom, Elysha, Josh & Mark

BAGCAT (25m) Championships (THE BIG ONE!)

Some fantastic swims over the weekend, you all stepped up and got stuck into your races challenging some of the best swimmers in the North East.  

Regional 1....

achieved 36 PB's out of 43 Swims, 3 Gold Medals, 6 Silver Medals, 2 Bronze Medals and 16 top 5 place finishes.

Regional 2....

achieved 7 PB's out of 10 Swims, 1 Silver Medal, 2 Bronze Medals and 4 top 5 place finishes.

Overall the swimming was excellent and I was very impressed.  You were all very professional and this showed in your outstanding results.  It was also great so see the swimmers who had only qualified for one event travelling all the way to Sunderland to compete, this shows a great level of commitment to your sport.

Gold Medalists (2)

Viktoria (2), Rebecca F (1)

Silver Medalists (2)

Viktoria (6), Nathan (1)

Bronze Medalists (2)

Eleanor (2), Rebecca C (1), Nathan (1)

Top 5 Place Finishes

Victoria (8), Eleanor (5), Shaheen (2), Nathan (2), Rebecca F (1), Liam (1), Rebecca C (1)

Results can be viewed by clicking the following link

http://www.asaner.org.uk/rgordon/2012results/agegrp12/index.htm

Keep up the hard work guys, lets keep moving forward.  Get chasing those times for next year!

'No negative thoughts cross my mind on race day.  When I look into their eyes, I know I'm going to beat them.' (Danny Harris. American Athlete, Olympic silver medalist. Los Angeles 1984) 

Kevin, Tom, Elysha, Josh & Mark