Ella at the EFDS National Junior and Youth Disability Swimming Championships

Carlisle Aquatic Swimmer Ella Cooper-Holmes travelled to Ponds Forge, Sheffield to join up with the North West Disability Swim Squad who were taking part in the EFDS National Junior and Youth Disability Swimming Championships for disabled swimmers aged 10-18 years.

Over 200 competitors came from all over the UK to showcase their talent. At just 11 years, this was the second time competing in the Girls 10-13 years age group. Standards as always were very high with 2012 Paralympic qualifiers such as Ellie Simmonds competing for their Regions. There were British, European and even one world record was broken.

Ella achieved three personal bests in her 50m freestyle(S7), 50m backstroke(S7) and 50m breaststroke(SB6) and won a bronze medal for her 50m breaststroke. In her age group there was only one or two other competitors, so due to the -1 rule she sadly didn't receive medals for her other races but sits in third position in the country for her times at this National Event.

Well done to Ella and all her other Cumbrian team mates who form part of the North West Disability Squad - you did Cumbria proud!

Carnegie Leisure Centre Reopening Gala - Saturday 25 February 2012

The official opening of the refurbished Carnegie Leisure Centre took place over the weekend of 24, 25 and 26 February 2012. As part of the official launch, Fife Council and Fife sport and leisure trust asked the local clubs (Carnegie and Dunfermline Amateurs) to run a gala which would take place on the 25th. The competition included novice & masters’ events with the main core being a team competition – with each team comprising of 4 swimmers, 2 male and 2 female spread across two age groups. The idea was that each swimmer would compete in all 4 strokes, plus IM. This gala was on an invitation only basis and involved clubs from Kinross, Warrender, Dunfermline, Glenrothes, Kelso, Step Rock, Carnegie, Cupar, Dundee City, Durham, Carlisle and even Dunfermline’s Twin Town Wilhelmshaven.

From Carlisle Aquatics, 4 swimmers travelled up – Dan Tait (12-13 year boys category), Sophie Dodd (12-13 year girls category), Zara McKnight (14-17 year girls category) and Andrew Mullins (14-17 year boys category). All four swimmers achieved personal best times on some of their races, and showed great team spirit in supporting each other. Both Zara and Andrew were swimming up their usual age category and we were all extremely proud of their swims. The swimmers had a really good time, and enjoyed the experience. A prize was awarded to best swim for each female and male in the above age categories, and Sophie won a kindle for her determination on her Individual Medley, by pulling the race back from her fly to finishing first in the heat. The best team cup was awarded to our 4 swimmers, and we have been invited back to retain our title.

A warm welcome was extended to our swimmers, poolside helpers and swimmers parents. Each swimmer was awarded a memento for attending the gala which was hosted by Councillor Joe Rosiejak. After the gala, a buffet was provided for all followed by a presentation.

All in all it was a good day had by all, and many thanks to Carnegie & Dunfermline for their hospitality and friendship.

2012 Inter Regional Academy Girls Water Polo Championships

After 3 weekends of training and selection at Manchester, Liverpool and Lancaster, Becky & Sarah Lightowler, Rebecca Harby and Emilie Wardhaugh from Carlisle Aquatics were selected to play Water Polo for the North West in the 2012 Inter Regional Academy Girls Water Polo Championships on 11-12 February at Walsall Gala Baths.

The North West entered two teams into the competition with Sarah and Rebecca in the A Team with Rebecca as keeper and Becky and Emily in team B.

After beating East Midlands 18 – 2, Scotland 12 – 2 and London 9 – 8, North West A went through as the winner of their group.

North West B came second in group A after a good win against Ireland 5 – 0 which included Becky scoring her first regional goal, a close defeat by South East 5 – 7 and a 16 – 1 win over Wales.

These results created a semi-final between North West A and B. It was a close game and Becky scored her 2nd regional goal to help the North West B beat the A team by 8-6.

North West A then came up against London for the third place play off and after a close game the day before, North West A proved they were the better team by winning 9-4 and claiming 3rd place.

The final between North West B and South East was a return match from the day before which was the only game North West B lost. North West B were determined not to lose again and went on to a 10 – 6 victory.

Kendal v Carlisle Aquatics - Sunday 19th February 2012

Sunday 19th February saw the first outing of Carlisle Aquatics Junior Water Polo Squad since the new club’s formation in January 2012. The team travelled away to Kendal for an 8pm ‘kick off’.

After a rather shaky start i.e. Carlisle were down 5 – 0 after the first quarter, the Aquatics team rallied together and the Lightowler sisters produced the first 5 goals between them. Their Dad commented that he wished they would collaborate as well at home! Both teams played well and the scores were evenly matched throughout. Carlisle took the lead in the second quarter and retained it until the final whistle blew at 9pm. Final score was Kendal 7 Carlisle 12. Goal scorers for Carlisle were Becky Lightowler, Sarah Lightowler, Robbie Harris, Sam Abba, Kieran Harrison, Andy Robinson, Callum Evans and Alex Armstong.

The Carlisle team consisted of the following:
Kieran Harrison, Andy Robinson, Sam Routledge, Robbie Harris, Becky Lightowler, Sam Abba, Bryony Whitehead, Natasha Hall, Lucy Wright, Oliver Bellingham, Callum Evans, Alex Armstrong, and Sarah Lightowler.

Anyone interested in having a go at water polo can contact Andy Little at polo@carlisleaquatics.co.uk