Gala Report

Gala competition is important to swimming because this is where the elements of representing and belonging to a team are most manifest within the sport. Unlike the other areas of competitive swimming we engage in such as Club Championships, Time Trials, Open Meets and County Trials where the events are focused primarily on the result of each separate individual event, Gala swimming

focuses the results from each individual event into the overall team total. It is where the overall strength of the team can be greater than the sum of the individuals. The relay races epitomise this. In most gala’s there are 8 or 9 relay races. The last relay is often a squadron race where the team is made up with a boy and girl from each age group. It should be considered to be an honour to be in the squadron because we try to swim the fastest swimmers of each age group here. On many occasions we find that the result of the overall Gala can be affected by this last race and excitement is high. This is where swimming for the ‘Team’ matters. If the swimmer false starts, is slow off the blocks, goes too early or

finishes their leg of the relay poorly the whole team suffers. Total focus, commitment and determination are therefore required to be a successful gala team member.

It is very pleasing to report that Bushey ASC has seen some fantastic gala performances this year. In particular, the ‘A’ or Gold Squad gained promotion to the 1st Division of the Herts Major League.

The Gala events we entered this year were:

Herts Major League -Div 2 (2nd) and Div 3 (4th)

Herts Peanuts League (5th)

South Herts Trophy (3rd)

Herts Challenge (1st)

Isabel Gala (4th)

Dunstable Gala (5th)

Goldstone Gala (3rd)

National League London 3rd Div (11th)

As a smaller club we do not have the strength in depth at some of the age groups that are enjoyed by our larger competitor clubs but we maintain a proud tradition of fullest participation. We entered 2 teams into the Hertfordshire Swimming League Major league with The Gold Team achieving 2nd place in the Second Division and thus being promoted to the first division. The Black team achieved a

very creditable 4th placing in the Third Division.  This year The Arena National Swimming League London Division was quite a challenge for us. This is a very strong league and we are certainly one of the smaller clubs within it. Nevertheless our team gave it all and across the 3 gala’s there were some excellent efforts.

There were the club has continued its tradition of producing very competitive teams and developing some superb individuals. This is only possible with strong support from parents, officials, teachers and

coaches. I would like to acknowledge and thank all the support the swimmers have received from our ‘yellow army’ of helpers and supporters. We could not do it without the many hours of time that this wider team invests in the club.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the swimmers. Having been with the club for 12 years and teaching and coaching for the best part of 10 years I still get real pleasure from seeing them all achieve PBs, developing their stokes and stamina and most of all celebrating their personal success and that of the team they swim within.