Runnymede Swimming Club – Belgium 2006 Press Report

Runnymede Swimming Club had a fantastic weekend of swimming in Belgium competing at the “20^th International Bokkerijderswedstrijd” held on the 9^th and 10^th September. OZV Swimming Club in Overpelt, near Antwerp, hosted the Gala, where Runnymede this year finished the 2nd Top Club out of 12 International clubs from The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

Runnymede were invited to this International event for the second year running because of the Clubs tradition of attending the event in previous years. This year’s trip saw a total of 71 Club members, swimmers and parents travelling to take part in the event and provided the Club with an excellent opportunity to compete in an International event of this kind and to swim against some of Europe’s top swimmers.

In what proved to be an extremely exciting and successful 2 days of competition the youngsters of RSC finished the 2nd top club, winning 300 Euros in prize money. The team had some fantastic individual performances in their respective age groups with all swimmers producing excellent personal best times and an incredible medal tally of 98 between them, including 30 Gold, 34 Silver and 34 Bronze. The squad also produced an outstanding 99 personal best times, which is a somewhat amazing achievement so early in the new season.

Alex Delicata had superb individual performances throughout the weekend with an impressive tally of 7 Gold Medals and 1 Silver Medal out of a possible 8 events. Alex’s older sister, Charlotte who also had an excellent weekend swimming winning 4 Gold’s, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze Medal in her respective age group.

Sisters Charlotte and Chloe Davis closely followed the Delicatas with 3 Gold Medals and 3 Bronze Medals each; Chloe also added 2 Silvers and Charlotte 1 Silver to their medal tally. Not to be outdone was their younger brother Matthew who was competing in the junior section and swam brilliantly winning the Silver Medal in all four of the events he was permitted to enter.

Other Gold Medallists for Runnymede Ellie Pirrie (3 plus a Silver) and Rory Geoghegan (3 plus 1 Silver). Ellie and Rory were also competing in the Junior Section of the Gala. Patrick Neary (2 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze); Henry Newton (2 Gold, 4 Silver and 1 Bronze); Ellie-Jade Smith (2Gold and a Bronze); and Ellie Honeysett (1 Gold and 3 Silver).

Other Runnymede swimmers bringing Medals home were Sarah Wright, Donna Spooner, Sam Knight, Amy Barrell, Charlotte Broad, Molly Giles, Howard Clarke, Jason Daniels, Ryan Daniels, Blue Newton, Thomas Giles, Thomas Clarke and Zak Newton.

The other squad members who swam well throughout the weekend in individual and relay events adding valuable points to the Teams overall points tally were Yvette James, Bethany Goldfinch, Elysia James, Alice Robinson, Charlie Benge, Sam Goldfinch, Thomas Honeysett, Alex Cowell and Michael Baynes.

Coach Paul Eveleigh was absolutely delighted with the teams performances and said

“ The purpose of the trip was primarily to enjoy the experience and form friendships with swimmers from other countries. This they did, and in the process actually swam very well in the competition, even though it is early season. Swimming in an International competition seemed to inspire the team to greater heights. We all look forward to returning to this gala every year and hopefully hosting OZV in England in the not too distant future.”