Pioneer 79 finish 4th at Mini League Final

During the last season, our younger swimmers aged 9-12 years have been busy competing in various Leagues, however, last Friday night saw a group of them compete against 5 other teams at Horwich Leisure Centre in the Bolton and District Mini League Final.  

This event is only open to teams affiliated to the Bolton & District Swimming and Water Polo Association, it consists of a number of prelimiary galas with the final usually being held around the second weekend in September.  Swimmers compete in events in their respective age groups, age is classed as 'age on day' as oppose to other competitions where it is 'age as of 31st December'.  This being the case, allows many more swimmers to take part throughout the season, unfortunately, with others having to miss out on the Grand Final due to being too old on the day.

The final points were:

1st:  Warrington - 154 points

2nd: Worsley - 118 points

3rd - Horwich - 101 points

4th: Pioneer 79 - 93 points

5th: Ramsbottom - 91 points

6th: Wigan - 61 points

 

Team Manager, Andy Armstrong commented on social media about the success of the team,  Andy, and the rest of the coaching staff couldn't be more prouder of the swimmers who conducted themselves with pride both in and out of the water.  Many swimmers were also swimming 'up' an age group and holding their own against the older swimmers.  Friday's final was all about performing the best we could, the team had no disqualifications at all during the event which is a fabulous achievement!

After the final, swimmers and their parents were invited to attend the Plough, Oswaldtwistle for an 'after gala party' where the Pioneer 79 Social and Fundraising Committee put on a bit of food and soft drinks for all.  

Over the past few years, Pioneer 79 have seen an influx of new swimmers - many of which are female, therefore, to ensure we can give as many of our girls a taste of competing in a team environment the swimmers chosen varies considerably from gala to gala.  We currently have many less young male swimmers able to compete for us, being the reason why many of our younger lads do appear repeatedly in many more galas than the girls.  So if you know of any young male swimmers especially who are decent in the water, or would be interested in swimming, please do not hesitate to contact the club for more details!

Well done to everyone and here's to next year's Mini League, which I can now confirm will be sponsored by Connect Health and Wellbeing.   http://www.connecthwb.co.uk. 

Connect Health and Wellbeing is a newly formed company who provide 1:1 and small group swimming coaching, personal training, sports conditioning, mindfulness and stress management for competitors.  We would like to thank them for sponsoring our Mini League for 2016/2017.