Mini League 2016 - Round 2

Worsley Leisure Centre was the venue for the Round No.2 of the 2016 Bolton and District Swimming & Water Polo Association’s Inter-Club Mini League recently.  The competition which consists of 13 teams, is divided into 4 ‘Groups’ (A, B, C and D) Pioneer 79 are competing in Group C for 2016 against Wigan and Swinton.  There are 3 preliminary rounds for Group C this year, with each Team hosting a round at the venue of their choice (usually their home training pool).  Each round contains 30 set events and all preliminary rounds must be completed by May of that year.  After the 3 preliminary rounds, the club with the most accumulated points from each group (A,B,C and D) will qualify to compete against each other in the ‘A’ Final.

The aim of this event is to introduce younger swimmers, aged between 9-12 years into the sport of competitive swimming - working together as an individual but also as part of a team, by accumulating points for each event.  For many swimmers this is their first real ‘taste’ of competing against competitors from other clubs and is extremely exciting to take part in. 

The results for Group C after Round No.1 were:  Pioneer 79 – 101, Swinton – 86, Wigan – 77, however with many of our Pioneer 79 swimmers away in Sheffield competing at another competition for Round 2, our Mini League swimmers had some tough swims ahead of them.  

After 10 events, the points were:  3rd - Wigan (15points), 2nd Pioneer 79 (20 points) and 1st Swinton (22 points), after 20 events, the top spot had changed:  3rd Wigan (33points), 2nd Swinton (39 points) and 1st Pioneer 79 (42 points).  With the battle for top team ‘hotting’ up, the final 10 races were extremely exciting, the Girls 10 years 4x25m Medley Relay took victory over Swinton in a time of 1.21.60 (the team consisted of Izzy Martin, Anya Pedley, Georgia Eccles and Daisy Moss).  With Pioneer swimmers finishing 2nd in 9 of the final 10 races, it was bound to be a very close finish overall.  As the final positions were announced, everyone waited with baited breath; 3rd were Worsley with 46 points, then in joint 1st position were Swinton and Pioneer 79 with 61 points each.  

Team Manager, Andy Armstrong commented on the teams efforts, congratulating them all as many of them swam up to the next age group to cover gaps and many others competing in their least favourite strokes.  For Amelia Walsh, turning 9 the week before the event and having just joined, she overcame her fears and did a fantastic job assisting the two 9 year girls relay teams to victory!  It was truly a gutsy Round from all involved, and as we go into Round 3 leading the Group, I’ve everything crossed for another great result.  Well Done!

With our usual Team Coaches away at a meet in Sheffield, Hadley Whitehead was drafted in to assist, he commented “what a great competition, we had fabulous swims from everyone involved, including many incredible come backs on the relays and each and every swimmer battling it out to the final stroke.  I was extremely impressed with the level of commitment from all involved, especially from those whose goggles had come off at the dive and they continued through to the end, this is amazing Team Spirit coming through from a very young age. Congratulations to you all”

As Pioneer go on to compete in the 3rd and final round, they lead with 162 points, Swinton in 2nd with 147 points and Worsley in 3rd with 123 points.  Good luck to all those selected, and fingers crossed we can make it through to the ‘A’ Final which will be held in September this year.