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Sevenoaks Swimmers represent England East in UK School Games - 10-09-2009Sevenoaks Swimmers represent England East in UK School Games Congratulations to Xander Alari-Williams and Stephanie King who competed for the England East swimming team at last weekend’s UK School Games in Cardiff.
The UK School Games is an annual four-day, multi-sport event for the UK’s elite young athletes of school age. Each of the 10 sports involved follow a full Olympic programme designed to give the athletes experience of high-level multi-sports competition. Xander Alari-Williams continued the medal winning form he had shown at the Nationals Championships in August, winning gold in the 100m breaststroke, setting a new Event Best Performance time of 1.05.95. He also won bronze in the 200m breaststroke and led the medley relay team to Silver with a highly impressive individual split time.
Xander was presented with his gold medal by double-Olympian and Commonwealth Games medalist Chris Cook - highly appropriate as Chris was the first British swimmer to break the minute barrier for 100m breaststroke! Former SSC member Stephanie King was also selected for the England East team for the second year running, swimming in both 100 and 200 backstroke as well as leading out the first leg of the medley relay team to an eventual bronze medal. The team was accompanied by SSC’s coach Julian Metcalf, who commented, ‘Xander was competing for the first time in this competition, and to win a national gold medal at the start of the season shows his return to form after the summer break. Steff’s relay bronze adds to the two silver medals she won at the competition last year and reflects the consistency of her drive at this level.’ ‘Moreover, the fact they both won relay medals shows their commitment to the team as a whole: the relays in particular were fiercely competitive with a fantastic atmosphere.’ The UK School Games, organised by the Youth Sports Trust, receives considerable government backing and Lottery Funding to provide the only UK elite level multi-sports competition. It’s aim is to give athletes with the potential of competing in 2012 or 2016 the experience of competing in a pressured environment. The UK School Games aims to create an Olympic-style environment, complete with Opening and Closing ceremonies, as well as the opportunity to mix and talk to former Olympic athletes in the Athletes’ Village, who attend the event as mentors to pass on their own experiences. Full results of the competition are available on www.ukschoolgames.com more news articles... |  NoticeboardSunday, 5th Feb Training: The Sennocke Centre is open so all training is on, although there is no dry land session for Silver There will be no swimming at Combe Bank on Monday 13th Feb due to half term.  |
