Derbyshire Swimming Championships 2006

Buxton Swimmers at the 2006 County Championships, out punched their heavyweight opponents from across the County as they over achieved on the limited resources available to them . Whilst Swimmers from Chesterfield and Derby can access up to 20 hours per week pool time, swimmers from Buxton, some with as little as 2 or 3 hours training per week showed amazing talent to come away with medals.

Nicola Mackay proved yet again to be one of Derbyshire's finest talents with 2 Golds and 4 Silvers. Nicolas Gold medals came in the 100 metre and 200 metre freestyle . Carla Bickerstaffe broke a Derbyshire Championship record in order to win her 50 metres butterfly Gold medal.

Emily Allsopp and Frances Anderson made names for themselves in the 12 and 11 year girls age group. Emily, 11 years, though swimming as 12 because of a birthday in the final weekend of the championships, still managed to win a silver and 2 bronze medals. Emily's greatest achievement over the 3 weekends of competition was to break 5 long standing Club records and also to qualify for the Midland age group championships in July. Frances also had a great championship, winning 5 bronze and 1 silver medal. Everyone at the club is confident that Frances will attain the necessary qualifying times to join Emily and represent Buxton at the Midland Championships in Coventry, which is great recognition for them, the Club, and Coach Gary McCaffery.

In amongst the medals for boys were Paul Murray (Gold) and Matt Ashby (bronze). Both medals were won in the incredibly tough 1500 metre freestyle event. Paul recorded a superb time of 18 minutes 4 seconds for the 60 length race to win his Gold medal smashing the previous club record, with Matt finishing just behind in the bronze medal position.

In the junior section, Harry McCaffery and Lucy Wood showed great potential by both winning medals in the 9 years age group, Lucy winning a bronze medal in the 50 metre butterfly, and Harry winning silvers in the 50 metres freestyle and 50 metres butterfly. Lucy and Harry both broke club records during the Championship. Also representing the Junior section were Annabel McCaffery, Sophie Murray and Sophie Parks-Morgan, all 3 swimmers were unlucky to miss out on medals on this occasion but are all swimmers with talent aplenty and there are exciting times ahead for them and for Buxton swimming Club.

If you are interested in learning to swim, to improve your swimming, or have enjoyed watching the British swimmers perform well at the Commonwealth Games and would like to swim competitively, or you just want to improve your fitness, Buxton Swimming Club welcome swimmers of all ages and all abilities from non- swimmers to national time swimmers. For more information and trial visit Buxton Pool on a Tuesday evening 6.40 pm to 9.00 pm and ask for Gary or Julie, or alternatively visit buxtonswimmingclub.co.uk .

Buxton Swimming Club have a number of swimmers showing great potential at the present time, these swimmers need as much pool time and coaching as possible if they are to progress and swim at higher levels whilst still representing Buxton. The club would greatly appreciate any sponsorship to help support and further these talented local swimmers.

A big thank you must go to Andy Lomax and his staff at New Bodies Gym. Andy's continued sponsorship, support and provision of extra training facilities have proved beneficial in the development of these young swimmers.