Club championships

It was lovely to see so many swimmers at our Club Championship Awards Night on Saturday 2^nd December. Thank you for making the time to join us. 

We were taken through the successes of the year by our BSSC President Sally Winter. It was wonderful to hear a summary of the 2022/2023 season and how well many of our swimmers have done.  Sally also presented Head Coach Benoit with his leaving present and gave a summary of his time with the club – we thank him for all he has done during his time with us and wish him best wishes for all the future holds. Paul Palmer, a BSSC Master, as well as a former international freestyle swimmer for England and Great Britain then spoke to the swimmers about overcoming the nerves, giving 100% and the passion to win. Fantastic to hear from a swimmer who has experienced it all, including winning Olympic medals.

Coach Joe Collins, supported by our new Club Captains Jakey Hayes and Freya Hadnutt, then awarded close to 300 medals to the swimmers.  A huge congratulations to everyone for their successes. 

We were then fortunate to award 15 brand new trophies to swimmers who have done exceptionally well this year.  In a revamped system, trophies were awarded to one person, per age group, based on the number of points achieved from their races at the Club Championships in October.  The Coaches Awards were based on attendance, dedication, effort, mental strength and sportsperson ship.  A big shout out to our Sponsors to enable us to award these lovely new Cups to BSSC Stars.

Our Mens Club Captain, Jakey Hayes then took to the floor to thank the swimmers for their support over the last year, especially in his fundraiser where over £2000 was raised for the club to purchase new back boards. But also to break the news that they have him again for another year.  He gave a very inspiring speech encouraging swimmers to give it your all when you turn up to training. 

It was a fun evening, coming together to celebrate with some food and drinks. 

We do still have some old trophies if you want to purchase them.  You can see which ones are still available on our Trophy Record Book on the website.

Winners of new Trophies.  Remember to look after your Cups and to keep them clean and shiny.  We will ask for the back next October to get them ready and engraved for the next winners. 

Bishop’s Stortford Swimming Club came together in November to celebrate the achievements of their swimmers during the 2021/22 season and their recent Club Championships performances, where swimmers get to compete against each other to be part of BSSC history.  This was the first full uninterrupted season since 2018/19 and the first Club Championships and awards night since late 2019. 

Sally Winter, BSSC President and European record holding Masters swimmer welcomed the swimmers, many of whom had never been to a Club Awards evening and went on to highlight the fantastic achievements of the BSSC swimmers over the past season.  Coach Romesh then inspired the swimmers with his story of transitioning from a non-swimming 9 year old to representing Sri Lanka in the National Diving team aged 13. 

The medals and trophies from Club Championships were handed out by BSSC Senior Club Captain Callum Davis, who was ably aided by the two newly appointed Club Captains Freya Reilly and Jakey Hayes.  Coach Joe Collins presented the 2021/22 Coaches Awards to:

• The Most Improved Girl: Yana Patel
• The Most Improved Boy: Benjamin Palmer
• Award for Endeavour Girls: Isabelle Earley
• Award for Endeavour Boys: Zack Haslett Fossey
• Sportsmanship Award: Noah Conroy 

Some of the trophies date back to the 1950s and provide a fascinating history of each age group and event within the club, for example the Langley Swimming Challenge Cup for most improved boy awarded to 11 year old Benjamin Palmer was first presented in 1955 to a J. Burrows and in 2011 was awarded to an 11 year old who became senior club captain Callum Davis. 

Twelve year olds Molly Greatbatch and Elliot Hall accepted the Hertfordshire Peanuts League banner on behalf of the BSSC Peanuts team who had come 6^th in the top division of the league during the 2021/22 season. 

It was wonderful to be able to celebrate together again from the Under 9’s through to the Over 16s and huge congratulations should go to all the BSSC swimmers!  We look forward to many more successes in 2023 and many more celebrations.