News – Page 25 – Abbotsleigh Swim Club

May 31, 2014

Abbotsleigh featured in North Shore Times

Following team Abbotsleigh’s success at Age Nationals, our local newspaper has featured two of our medal winners in their sports section. The article is reproduced here courtesy of the North Shore Times.

May 19, 2014May 19, 2014

SMNE Winter Champs success

Hi Team ABB,

A huge congratulations to Team ABB who competed at the Swimming Metro North East Championships this weekend, you all represented our team so proudly! The point scores are out and we only narrowly came 4th to Knox Pymble and came 1st in division 2 by a huge margin! So a huge congratulations. The final point scores were:

1. Carlile 4199
2. Lane Cove 2719
3. Knox Pymble 2356
4. Abbotsleigh 2248
5. Willoughby 1045
6. Ravo 914

Full results here.

Here is a short wrap up from each of the coaches:

Leanne ‘I’m going on holidays for 2 weeks’ Speechley

Gold squad were epic with their self-sufficiency in warm ups, cool downs and ownership of hydration and food intake. The racing from Gold squad was sensational as all swimmers stuck to race plans, were brave in trying new race strategies and sensational in becoming very process driven. As always it’s not all perfect and in many cases lack of fitness and lack of skills in regards to turning and diving need attention. The highlights of the meet for me included having all 3 competitive coaches pool side, the cheering from young to old and old to young, the happiness for each other when someone swam well and the delightful smiles all round on return from the pool. There were many PB’s and this should give all swimmers confidence as starting a season in front of where they left off the last short course season is extremely comforting. I don’t often give swimmer of the meet as its usually too hard – however I can’t go past mentioning Shaun on his excellent race plan execution, Lachi on his gutsy program of 1000 races and Rani on her “happy place” and underwater demon style racing that paid off immensely.
Lastly and certainly not least – thank you to the parents that helped make the meet one of my favourite run meets, to the parents in the stands, to Chris for the coaching leading into the meet and to Raf and Brandon for being such legendary and fun coaches on the day.

Don Rafael

I am extremely happy with the way Abbotsleigh team swam over the weekend! I mention the overall results but more importantly the bonding team experience.
I am impressed the way swimmers are connected to each other. I saw Mat helping Shaun with his warm up. Bailey helping Cameron with her turns & finishes on her warm up. For me THIS is team work and I cannot describe how happy I am to be part of it.
The new White squad had a fair go in every event. Really well done to Adriana, Tane and Baily for getting some states qualifying times! Amin, Zac and Talia for showing off all their good skills! This places themselves and their coaches In a really happy place.
Now I know why everyone call Abbotsleigh swim club as a THE team.
You guys rock!!!

And my Terrific Self

Smiles, PB’s, Laughter, Pb’s, chuckles, Pb’s……… What fantastic meet!!!!!!!!!!!! As coaches we are all so, so, so, so proud of your efforts this weekend. Our black squad were terrific in their application of race plans, showing a lot of composure for some tough races. The relays are always a huge highlight for me, seeing all the junior teams cheering on for the seniors and vice versa. A huge thank you to those swimmers who made the extra efforts in coming out for the relays, especially Cammy ‘This is weird’ Graham for filling in for the boys 12 & under relay!!!!!

Parents, thank you very much for your support and I’m sure you all know this but we have the best kiddies here at Abbotsleigh Swim Club and you should be all so proud!

Keep up the great training boys and girls, Speedo Cup in 2 weeks and please make sure you are getting your entries in for the Ginninderra meet.

Thanking you!

Brandon

Photo courtesy of Nina Beilby (note she has a $5/download special til Friday).

May 13, 2014May 13, 2014

Ravenswood Photos

April 16, 2014May 13, 2014

Notes from nationals

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Full report here.

Saturday 19th

Matt and Katie in action in their individual events and the 18U girls 4×100 Medley relay team finished the carnival off with a bang for Abbotsleigh. Time to rest up now. Is it OK for the athletes to eat chocolate tomorrow Leanne?

Friday 18th

Bec, Annabelle, Kaea, Keely, Matt, Tash and Katie were in action in their individual events. The mighty 13-14yr girls lining up for two 4x50m FS relay teams. Annabelle had Weet-Bix for breakfast and set 2 new massive PBs. Tasha and Katie made it 1-2 on the podium in the 50m FS. Anybody know what they had for breakfast?

Thursday 17th

The focus was on individual events today with Imy, Annabelle, Kaea, Rani, Bec, Geoff, Katie, Tash, Keely and Katie all in action. Geoff and Katie continued their fantastic run of PBs into their respective finals. Mega congratulations to Katie with a podium finish in the 100m FS!!

Wednesday 16th

So many ‘Abbotslays’ in the pool today, and the announcer still can’t pronounce us right. Shaun, Matt and Zoe did their individual events and then came 5 team Abb relays. 20min queue in the warm up pool for a dive. Welcome back Leanne.

Tuesday 15th

Leanne crook so Brandon alone. Katie on fire again, this time in 12-13yrs 200m IM – can you be ‘on fire’ in the water? Geoff backed up super fast after an emergency pool closure to swim a fantastic 100m 16yrs BS final. Tash, Kaitlyn, Bec and Katie 4×100 18U FS Relay – 12th. Even more great support from team members not swimming. Parents a bit lost after ‘strangers’ occupied the area in front of the Abbotsleigh banner. Get well soon Leanne!

Monday 14th

Katie, Shaun, Matt, Rani and Kaitlyn start their individual events. Zoe, Ellie, Keely and Tashi combine for the 4×100 Medley Relay. Matt, Shaun, Kaea and Harry line up for the 4×100 Medley Relay. Great support from team members not swimming. And the new Abbotsleigh Club banner is christened.

Sunday 13th

Bus to Homebush in new uniforms. Collected accreditation passes (well done Brandon for overcoming some challenges). A ‘feel the water’ swim. Never felt the water at Homebush before?

Friday 11th

BIG party at Matt’s place. BUT no fizzy drinks or lollies for the athletes (Leanne’s orders). New uniforms presented (well done Helen and Liz). Poem from Leanne. Speech from Brandon. Despite a house full of swimmers there was even food left at the end.

March 29, 2014April 12, 2014

Matthew and Andrew Abood visit

Nationals swimmers and their parents had an afternoon of education and excitement on Friday when Matthew and Andrew Abood came to visit. The two brothers gave hands on coaching of skills and race techniques, spoke about mental preparation for major competitions, and answered questions.

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March 21, 2014March 21, 2014

Welcome Raf

Hi All

I’d like to take the opportunity to introduce and welcome Rafael Rodrigues (Raf) to our coaching team.
Raf’s qualifications include;
· Bronze accredited coach with Swimming Australia.
· Degree in Physical education
· Aust Swim teacher and assessor accreditation
· Senior First aid certificate

Raf has many years’ experience and success in coaching all levels of competitive swimming from Metro, State and National level.

Raf will initially be coaching our Bronze squad in the mornings with the aim to move into more afternoon work come term 2, if all goes well. We plan for Raf and Chris Austin to develop strong relations with the swimmers of our new improved junior development group and rebuild a quality program from the bottom up. Raf will also take on other coaching groups at times.

To meet Raf please come on down to the pool on either Monday, Wednesday or Friday morning.