Natasha strikes gold at the ASA North East Region Championships………..

Many congratulations to Natasha Oates, 18, on her impressive swimming performances and collected a hat-trick of medals at the ASA North East Region Disability Championships 2014 which were held at the Hydro Pool Harrogate on Sunday 22 September.

Natasha won Gold in the 200m Freestyle, Silver in the 100m Individual Medley and Bronze in the 100m Backstroke!

The Championships are a multi-disability event where swimmers with different categories of disability race against each other; race times are then benchmarked against the world record time for each category; and are then are converted into multi-disability points. Medals and places are awarded based on the highest number of points.

Natasha swims in category 14.

In the 200m freestyle, 100m Individual Medley and 100m Backstroke Natasha's medal positions also matched her positions based on race time. Her other results were 4^th in both the 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly (finishing 4^th on race time as well) and 7^th in the 50m Freestyle (finishing 5^th on race time).  

Well done Natasha!

Libby Turner selected to attend an England talent education and development session

We have had even more good news for one of our swimmers this week! 

Libby Turner has been selected to attend an England talent education and development training session in November thanks to her continuous outstanding performance last season!

On behalf of all the club we would like to say a big congratulations to Libby and we hope she has a super time.

Carly Herbert

Thomas Speed selected for the Yorkshire swimming teams

We have had some very exciting news for Thomas Speed in A squad.

Following the high performance swims that Thomas has produced over the last season he has earned himself  places on the Yorkshire teams representing the county and on the England talent Regional Beacon Programme for the North East!

This is a fantastic achievement for Thomas and goes to show that with a lot of hard work you can achieve your goals!

On behalf of everyone at the club I would like to say a very big well done to Thomas and keep up the hard work!!!

Carly Herbert

Head Coach

COSSS Teaspoon Sprint 21 September 2014

Twenty five Swimmers from the Borough of Barnsley Swimming Club took part in the City of Sheffield 50m sprint Teaspoon Gala held at Ponds Forge on Sunday 21 September 2014 achieving an outstanding 60 personal best times. The top 10 swimmers in each age group from the heats race off in the finals. The gala is unique in that the swimmers placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the finals are each presented with a teaspoon in celebration of Sheffield's cutlery industry.

The finalists from Barnsley were:

9/10 Years

Abigail Miles: 50m freestyle 6^th; 50m breaststroke 2^nd; 50m backstroke 5^th.

Lewis Baker: 50m freestyle 6^th; 50m breaststroke 7th; 50m backstroke 7^th; 50m butterfly 5^th.

15 years and over

Holly Milnes 50m freestyle 8^th.

Thomas Speed 50m breaststroke 1st; 50m backstroke 6^th; 50m butterfly 9^th.

Also taking part were:

Kalum Smart, Maddie Barker, Isabelle Speed, Maea Hamby, Freya Waller, Phoebe McNicholas, Megan Firth, Jessica Richardson, Evie Gregory, Ella Waller, Georgia Clarke, Millie Hamby, Chloe Stringer, Lucy Hadfield, Megan Mitchel, Charlotte Savage, Emily Norton, Rebecca Sanderson, Helena Watson, Ben Nutt and Reece Tate.

Swim Britain 6 September 2014

Stars from British swimming and diving including Ellie Faulkner, Jessica Lloyd, Joe Roebuck, Sarah Barrow, Claire Cashmore, Ollie Hynd MBE, Amy Smith and Nick Robinson Baker joined hundreds of swimmers from across Yorkshire and the North Midlands as they took part in the British Gas sponsored Swim Britain held at Ponds Forge Sheffield on Saturday 6 September 2014.

This was one of 10 events to be held nationwide between 30 August and 4 October and encourages more people whatever their ability to swim regularly. It also provides an excellent opportunity for team building and an opportunity to mingle with and chat to some of the Olympic stars of British swimming.

The emphasis was definitely on fun for all the family with teams of 4, whether family or friends or a combination of both, choosing to swim in either Swim Britain 500 with team members each swimming four legs of 125m or (for stronger swimmers) Swim Britain 1000 with team members each swimming four legs of 250m. Those taking part included 9 teams made up of parents and children from Borough of Barnsley Swimming Club.

Although the event was held indoors the course was set out in an Open Water format with swimmers being chip-timed and navigating around buoys as they zigzagged the length of the pool to complete each leg.

To add to the fun prizes were awarded with winners including best team name for "Moodis Swimphony", best selfie for Eleanor Valentine-Bull and best club chant for Christine Mawby and the BOBSC swimmers.

A big "thank you" to Holly Mawby for organising everyone and our entries for this event. All those who took part can't wait for next year's event to come around!

30th Dukeries Meet 30 August 2014

More success for Borough of Barnsley Swimming Club at the start of the new season when eleven swimmers took part in the 30^th Dukeries Open (long course) Meet held at Ponds Forge Sheffield on Saturday 30 August 2014. The swimmers maintained their impressive early season form securing 18 personal best times whilst facing strong competition from the swimmers from the other clubs taking part. Pride of place went to 9 year old Macy Yoxall with silver medal in the 50m butterfly and bronze medal in the 50m freestyle.

Macy was joined by her sister Lola, Maea Hamby, Jessica Richardson, Millie Hamby, Lucy Hadfield, Georgia Clarke, Georgia Hamblett, Jonathon Wightman, Nathan Billingham and Reece Tate.

The first two galas have seen some outstanding swims and have laid an excellent foundation for the season ahead.

Sheffield City Sprints 23 August 2014

Twenty three swimmers from Borough of Barnsley Swimming Club amassed a total of seventy one personal best times in the first gala of the new season at the Sheffield City Sprints (short course) Meet held at Ponds Forge on 23 August 2014. Congratulations from the Club to all the swimmers on some excellent performances following the summer break from competition.

Those awarded medals for top three finishes were:

Speeding ticket:

Harriet Ostrowski-Jones 11 years 100m backstroke

Gold medals:

Isabelle Speed 10 years 50m breaststroke

Lewis Baker 10 years 100m breaststroke and 100m freestyle

Jessica Richardson 11 years 100m butterfly

Harriet Ostrowski-Jones 11 years 100m breaststroke

Sam Charlesworth 11 years 100m breaststroke

Silver medals:

Isabelle Speed 10 years 100m breaststroke

Lewis Baker 10 years 50m freestyle and 100m backstroke

Jessica Richardson 11 year 100m backstroke

Sam Charlesworth 11 years 50m breaststroke

Thomas Speed 15 years and over 50m butterfly

Reece Tate 15 years and over 100m butterfly

Bronze medals:

Maisie Inman 10 years 100m freestyle and 100m backstroke

Harriet Ostrowski-Jones 11 year 50m backstroke

Matthew Selous 11 years 100m backstroke

Alexander Holliday 13 years 100m breaststroke and 100m butterfly

Holly Milnes 15 years and over 50m freestyle and 100m butterfly

The others swimmers competing were Maea Hamby, Millie Hamby, Lucy Hatfield, Lauren Heywood,  Phoebe McNicholas, Lily Martin, Megan Mitchel, Alexandra Nicholson, Neve Wilkie, Macey Wollerton, Anya Yates, and Kalum Smart.

British Gas ASA National Age Group Championships (50m) 30 July to 3 August 2014 and British Gas ASA National Championships (Youth, Open & MC) (50m) 5 to 10 August 2014.

A series in outstanding swims by Libby Turner, 12, saw her achieve seven qualifying times and make her debut in the British Gas ASA National Age Group Championships (50m) 2014 which were held at Ponds Forge Sheffield from 30 July to 3 August 2014.

A further series of impressive swims in the championships themselves included two personal best times in the heats and an improved personal best time in an exciting 11^th place swim off in the 200m IM which proved to be the 8^th fastest time in the event overall.

Libby's results were 200m breaststroke 14^th, 200m IM 11^th, 100m breaststroke 15^th, 100m backstroke 26^th, 100m butterfly 18^th and 100m freestyle 32^nd. The busy schedule meant that she missed out on competing in the 400m IM.

Head coach Carly Herbert said, "I'm very proud of Libby not just for how she has performed but the way she has managed to control her nerves at such a major event and has taken it all in her stride. Libby has worked hard all season. We were excited in December when she qualified for her first event and overjoyed when she had qualified for seven events! I've never known a swimmer so focused and dedicated to their training giving 110% in every session. Libby has done the club proud and deserves every success."

Libby herself added," I have really enjoyed my first nationals and I am very thankful for all the support from my family, friends and club. I couldn't have done it without you all."

Meanwhile there was more success for Thomas Speed, 15, who made his debut at National level when competing in the British Gas ASA National Championships (Youth, Open & MC) (50m) 2014 which were held at Ponds Forge, Sheffield from 5 to 10 August 2014.

Swimming in the 15/16 year old category Thomas was competing mainly against older 16 year old swimmers in the 100m and 200m breaststroke and achieved lifetime best times in both events including a superb swim in winning his heat of the 200m breaststroke. Thomas has improved his ranking as one of the country's top ten fastest 15 year olds in both events.

His results in the 15/16 year category were 27^th in 100m breaststroke and 25^th in the 200m breaststroke. Head coach Carly Herbert said," Tom has worked so hard over the past two years to gain national qualifying times but after just missing out last season he was even more determined to make it this year and qualifying for two events was just fantastic!  His results show just how much drive Tom has for the sport. Everyone at the club is thrilled with his performances, and we are all very proud of him!"

City of Leeds B Grade Meet 28 – 29 June 2014

It was another busy weekend for Borough of Barnsley on the 28th and 29th of June with the club taking a team of 14 swimmers to the City of Leeds A/B Grade Meet held at the John Charles centre.

Competing swimmers were Harriet Ostrowski-Jones, Millie Hamby, Maea Hamby, Abigail Miles, Jessica Richardson, Mollie James, Lewis Baker, Matthew Selous, Sam Charlesworth, Lucy Hatfield, Lucy Greatorex, Isabelle Speed, Megan Lee and Georgia Lee.

The swimmers performed superbly with a medal haul of 6 golds, 13 silvers and 1 bronze achieving 33 finishes between 4th and 10th position as well as 47 personal best time and 5 regional qualifying times for December's age group short course north east championships!

A huge achievement from a great team of swimmers again doing the club proud!

Scarborough A&B Grade Meet 20 – 22 June 2014

Another huge success!

The club took a team of 38 swimmers to the Scarborough A & B grade meet held on the 20th, 21st & 22nd of June .

All the swimmers performed fantastic in the water setting a very high standard from the beginning!

Medals were coming in out of every event with some BOBSC swimmers taking all three top places!

In the junior A & B grade skins. Georgia Clarke represented the team in the B grade while Abigail Miles and Nathan Billingham and Elizabeth Safonkina competed in the A grade.

In the senior skins we had Thomas Stather and Elliott Robinson qualifying for the B grade skins while Thomas Speed and Claire Berry in the A grade skins. Claire Berry successfully fighting through all 5 rounds to win the A grade!

In total the club came away with 23 speeding medals, 42 gold, 35 silvers, 32 bronze, 99 finishes between 4th and 10th place and finally 166 personal best times!

We cannot express how well the swimmers performed on and off the pool side representing the club with such high standards it was truly a pleasure to be part of the team!

We would also like to say a huge thank you and well done to our team managers Craig lee, David Stather, Judy Harratt, Jayne Smart and Lawrence Savage who cheered (and danced) along supporting every swimmer in the water and making the whole weekend a massive success!

Well done everyone!!!

ASANER North East Regional Championships June 2014

On June 7th,8th,14th and 22nd we had a team of 4 swimmers taking part in the ASA long course North East Regional Championships held at Leeds, Ponds Forge and after pool issues Sunderland as well!

This meet proved to be the best results BOBSC have had at age group regional level in the last 3 years with 21 events qualified, 17 of them being top ten finishes in the finals and a gold medallist in the 200 breaststroke for Libby Turner! Making her ASANER 12 year old champion for that event.

 We had superb swims from Jessica Richardson in the 100m butterfly; Greg Lugton in the 100 back, 200 free 8th, 100 free 10th and 400 free; Abigail Miles in the 200 free 10th, 100 breaststroke 5th, 200 breaststroke 4th, 100 free, 200 IM 10th, 200 back 9th, 100 back 4^th; and Libby Turner in the 400 IM 8th, 200 free 9th, 200 fly 4th, 100 breaststroke 9th, 100 fly 6th, 200 breaststroke 1st, 100 free 6th, 200 IM 9th and 200 backstroke 8th!

From all at the club a big well done to Jess, Abigail, Greg and Libby for swimming their socks off!