Arena League 2021
National 'Arena' Swimming League 2021
Late 2021 saw the welcome return of the National Arena Swimming League, following its COVID hiatus in the 202021 season
The league is the premier domestic interclub competition that dates back to 1964 as an Essex regional competition that grew and grew, in 1969 up there with the Moon Landings, the number of clubs across six regional leagues became a national competition with the top teams from each of the six regions competing in a National Final.
Nowadays there are around 400 clubs competing in the league, where the top 20 teams from all six regions compete in a national A (top 10) and B final (11-20).
Poole Swimming Club competes in the western league and has enjoyed a good run in the Premier Division since 2014, where the club gained promotion and has finished in the top 6 each year since finishing between 23rd and 36th Nationally in the previous five outings. It can be argued that the western league is the toughest as the National competition has been won by a western league club 9 out of the last 10 finals.
With the powerhouse clubs of Plymouth, Millfield, Mount Kelly, Cardiff and Swansea ahead of Poole would 2021 be a season they could break into the top five?
In 2017 the club entered a B team in what was then Division 3, the B team with brilliant spirit managed to gain promotion from division 3, then a season later gained promotion from division 2 and in 2019 in Division 1 when the event was last hosted finished 8th.
In 2018 the top 3 divisions grew, and division 3 was disbanded and then for this season, due to some teams not being able to enter Divisions 1 and 2 were combined.
Would the B Team be able to push for the top places in Division 1?
Changes Ahoy
To keep team numbers lower around poolside the league for this season scrapped the traditional 4 member relay teams in each gender, and create mixed relays in each age, consisting of two boys and two girls.
The age groups remained 11/U, 13/U, 15/U and Senior with swimmers being restricted to two swims in their own age group and one in the above age group should they be fast enough. The only exception to this was in the Senior age group where you can race 3 events as there is a 200m IM included.
Coaches Chris and Jacob would lead the B-Team with support from Freya, Marie and Geri as team managers and coaches Jan and Barry the A-Team with the experienced support from Mike, Maralyn, Tracy and Steve as Team Managers.
It is important to mention that each competition can only be run with the help of officials and volunteers and we offer a huge thank you to Phil, Sean, Alina, Karen, Alysha, Jason and Sarah for your support over each of the rounds.
Round 1 October
Due to COVID in October Round 1 was run as a hybrid real and virtual competition. This meant to prevent travelling and to keep people local – teams regardless of which division they were in would compete against each other. Following the gala, the times would be inputted into the correct divisions and original gala draw. Then league positions worked out from here. In a magical return to league competitions, the A and B teams competed against each other and on the night finished 1st and 3rd. When placed in their respective divisions Poole A team were placed 5th in the Premier Division and were placed second in the combined Division 1 and 2.
Round 1 A and B Team competing at Dorchester (Best facial expression goes to Megan W)
Round 2 November
By November with COVID numbers easing the league ran the gala allowing travel across the region with very strict COVID protocols in place. The A team headed to Millfield and the B team to Plymouth, alas to the (not so) dulcet tones of youths singing along the journey.
The Poole A team put in a fine performance finishing runners up to Plymouth, and after receiving a large number of gala points were holding onto 5th in the Premier Division. However, the B-team went one better to win their round and were holding onto the second spot in the league.
Poole A Team at Millfield for Round 2
Poole B Team at Plymouth for Round 2
Round 3 December
It was a trip across the river Severn for the A-Team as they headed into Wales to compete at Newport and the B team headed to Millfield.
At Newport, it was a tough competition with many Olympians returning to their clubs to compete including Jacob Peters for Poole that won the 100m fly. Two further wins came Poole’s way with rising talents Jes H winning the 100m Back and Phil B winning the 50m Breast.
The final produced many battles with Mount Kelly and Millfield fighting it out for the top two places. Next were Cardiff and Plymouth neck a neck fighting for the third spot, with Swansea and Poole fighting for the 5th position, with finally Newport and Bristol fighting for 7th position.
At the end of a thrilling gala, the A team had earned their familiar sixth position but only 6 gala points behind Swansea, with current National Champions Mount Kelly taking the win by 5 points over Millfield.
Poole A-Team at Newport Round 3
Final Standings for the Western Premier Division 2021
At Millfield In the B team, seven wins were earned with Amie Q showing her return to form and range in events earning triple wins in her individual races of 200m IM, 100m Back and 100m Breaststroke. Sophie LR took the 50m Back, Scarlett C the 100m Free, Felix M the 100m Back and Mark T the 100m Fly.
Poole B Team Round 3 (Best facial expression goes to Megan W)
The Poole team beat the top-seeded club Bristol Penguins on the evening, but both teams were overcome by the ever-improving West Dorset team who won the competition and division. It is the Poole B Teams highest finish in the league and another show of improvement.
Final Standings for the Western Combined Division 1 and 2 2021
We congratulate all of the swimmers on their performances, a big well done to the coaches and team managers, a big thank you to Tracy for co-ordinating coaches (with wheels) officials, volunteers and overseeing literally 100's of lateral flow tests.
Well done to the Captains who motivated their teams but most of all well done to all at Poole SC for being a mighty bright club with tight friends who share and rejoice in each other's successes!
