2024 Junior League Kicks off in Style

POOLE ROAR & POOLE DRAGONS

“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.”

The 2024 National Arena Junior Swimming League got underway on Sunday 19^th May at Rossmore Leisure Centre in Poole. This virtual competition is run over 3 rounds through May, June, and July, where the ‘top 8’ National teams go on to compete in a Grand Final in September. In addition to the National League, the teams from across the county set up a “Dorset Inter-Club” league. This meant that we could compete against all the Dorset teams who had entered the league and provide a better atmosphere for racing.

The 6 teams competing in the 2024 ‘Dorset Inter-Club’ league are:

Poole Dragons

Poole Roar

Seagulls Blue

Seagulls White

Swim Bournemouth

West Dorset S. C.

With 79 teams competing in the National League, we started the first round in earnest. We knew we had two very strong teams in Poole Roar and Poole Dragons, and we were keen to impress having done so well in the league in 2023, finishing 4th inn the Grand National Final (a Club Best !). On the night we looked sound and there were some very good swims from both teams. There was also a great team atmosphere on poolside. More importantly, it was pleasing to see everyone making themselves available to race and there were a good number of personal best times swum overall.

The overall National League results place us 10^th and 40^th which is a promising start.

The overall ‘Dorset Inter Club’ results rank us 1^st and 4^th and we will be pressing to place both teams in a ‘top 3’ spot.

On behalf of the coaches, I would especially like to thank our swimmers, team managers and all the officials and volunteers who helped us to host Round 1. I would also like to thank our parents for your continuing commitment and support. I hope you all enjoyed the competition, as we look forward to seeing you for Rounds 2 and 3 through June and July.

To conclude, let’s maintain the hard work we are putting in, make those training sessions, and continue our form into rounds 2 and 3 on 9^th June and 13^th July respectively because EVERY swimmer is important to the team.

Jan Hutchings

Senior Coach

(on behalf of the coaching team)

Congratulations on individual 1st place to:

Lilly B. 100m IM; George C-J. 100m IM; Evie T. 50m Butterfly; Leo P. 50m Butterfly; Zach A. 50m Backstroke; Florence C. 50m Freestyle; Polina K. 50m Backstroke (11 yrs & 12 yrs); Oliver H. 50m Freestyle; Charlie H. 50m Butterfly; Oliver C. 50m Backstroke; Polina K. 50m Breaststroke; Lilly B. 50m Butterfly; Jack F. 50m Butterfly; Evie T. 50m Backstroke; Leo P. 50m Backstroke; Charlie H. 50m Freestyle; George C-J. 50m Breaststroke.

Congratulations on individual 2nd place to:

Arthur K. 100m IM; Arthur K. 50m Freestyle; Amare F. 50m Breaststroke; Suzy H. 50m Freestyle; Max C. 50m Freestyle; Freddie H. 50m Breaststroke; Ava C. 50m Breaststroke; Toby S. 50m Freestyle; Caidee S. 50m Breaststroke; Fred C 50m Breaststroke.

Congratulations on individual 3rd place to:

Isabelle T. 50m Butterfly; Max C. 50m Butterfly; Ava C. 50m Backstroke; Felix W. 50m Backstroke; Imogen S. 50m Freestyle; William B. 50m Butterfly; Imogen S. 50m Backstroke; Jake S. 50m Backstroke; Rimero J. 50m Freestyle; Toby S. 50m Breaststroke; Caidee S. 50m Butterfly; Arthur K. 50m Butterfly; Florence C. 50m Breaststroke.