Well done swimmers. Thank you Brandon. Thank you parents for timekeeping.
NSW State Open SC championships 19-20 July*
See Coach report.
Knox Pymble SC Invitational Qualifying Meet 14th July*
NSW Metro SC Championships 29-30 June*
See SNSW website for full details.
SMNE Winter Championships 15/16 June
Well done swimmers! Thank you to all our volunteers. Thank you Brandon. Results here
New Head Coach appointed
Abbotsleigh School and the Aquatic Centre are very pleased to announce the appointment of our new Head Swimming Coach, Leanne Speechley.
Leanne is a silver licenced coach, currently undergoing her gold licence, with 25 years of experience at International, National, State and Regional level. During this time Leanne has worked with some of Australia’s leading coaches and athletes and been responsible for all aspects of swimming programs from learn-to-swim to elite squads. A Bachelor Degree in Sports Science – University NSW has helped Leanne create and implement high quality individualised and team performance plans, including dry land strength and conditioning and biomechanical race analysis.
Leanne is passionate about swimming technique and the performance of her athletes. She was able to build and nurture strong team environments as Head Coach of Somerset College Qld and AquaGym Swim Club, Christchurch NZ. In 2011 Leanne received the Sir Richard Hadlee Outstanding Coach Award for Swimming. This high energy and enthusiasm for mentoring young athletes is part of Leanne’s philosophy to produce well rounded and hard-working swimmers who strive to do their best.
Leanne is committed to working as part of a team to achieve shared goals and results. She has the experience, technical knowledge and coaching experience to be an outstanding mentor for junior coaching staff. Leanne’s leadership qualities and desire to educate students in a balanced environment fit well with Abbotsleigh’s core values. We look forward to welcoming Leanne to the Aquatic Centre and Abbotsleigh community in July.
Abbotsleigh representatives on NSW Schools team announced
5 swimmers were selected from Abbotsleigh School or Abbotsleigh swim club to represent NSW in the School Sport Australia national swimming championships in Adelaide in September 2013. Congratulations to Jaimey Yeats, Charlie Westheafer, Zoe Lysaght, Katie Strachan and Matt Kelly. These selections continue to reflect the proud traditions and continued success in the school and swim club. Congratulations – we look forward to watching your success.
Kincumber Carnival 19th May
Attached are the results from the Kincumber Carnival that took place on the 19th of May. A very well run carnival, where as a team Abbotsleigh competed very strongly against some strong competition. I must commend our swimmers on their willingness and ability to apply previously discussed race plans, resulting in some very strong performances. It is very important when you’re at a swimming meet to come and see me well before your race so we can discuss those race plans and if you have any questions about your race, whether you have already swum it or not, never hesitate to ask.
Brandon
Knox Pymble Novice Meet 28th April
2012 NSW State Age and Open Open Water Swimming Championships
Courtney Bicknell reports on her competition in the 12 – 15 years 5km event at the NSW State Age Open Water Swimming Championships, at the Sydney International Regatta Centre, Penrith Lakes, December 2012.
On Sunday the 2nd of December 2012 I competed in the 12 – 15 years 5km Event at the NSW State Age Open Water Swimming Championships, at the Sydney International Regatta Centre, Penrith Lakes. Luckily it was much cooler than the previous few days with the water temperature 26°C and the ambient air temperature slightly higher. There were varied water conditions throughout the race including murky brown water, occasionally disturbed by the waves from the safety boats. There was a breeze of about five knots (10 km per hour) blowing down the course. There were varied weather conditions from cloudy with intermittent sun to rain, with a heavy downpour during the medal presentation, just after the completion of the race.
The race started out with more than 100 competitors crowded three deep, as we waited for the red flag, which would signify our start. We swam the first 1.5 km leg of the race in crowded conditions with everyone trying to get the best position. Rounding the large turn buoys is quite difficult, especially in a large group, but luckily the field had spread out by the time we had to round the first buoy. In the middle of the second lap it started to rain and this meant that there was a notable decrease in water temperature. The race consisted of two 2.5 km laps of a rectangular course, with a total of seven legs. At the end we had to swim under the finishing gate and raise our arm to touch the finish sign, suspended above the water.
I finished in a time of 1:13:50.21 qualifying for Nationals in February.
Courtney Bicknell