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PASC Club Gala 2010

At the moment a provisional date of Saturday 12th June 2010 has been set aside for our club gala subject to a final date being set for the Teletot 'Swim-Off. This event will bring together the majority of club swimmers of all age groups and end our swimming sessions for this season. Parents and swimmers are asked to keep this date free, confirmation of day and other arrangements will be given as soon as possible. In the meantime all of last year's trophy holders are asked to return all silverware ENGRAVED and POLISHED to the main desk BEFORE Wednesday 21st April!

PTL End of Season Challenge Gala

This event will take place in Ballymena on Saturday April 24th with the warm-up scheduled to begin at 5.30pm.

Congratulations to the following PASC swimmers who have qualified:

Abbie McCullough, Peter Thompson, Joel Milligan, Curt Black, Dawid Zych, Rachel Chapman, Lauren Robinson, Lachlan Mackey, Susanna McQuade, Beth Irwin, Chloe Black, Daniel Chambers, Andrew Irwin, and Roisin Meredith. Swimmers should arrangement to make their own way to Ballymena as no bus will be provided.

Teletot Fixtures and Bank Holiday Swims

The dates for the last Teletot galas have now been confirmed. These will be as follows:

• Saturday 15th May Portadown V City of Belfast

• Saturday 22nd May Portadown V Larne

The date for the Teletot 'Swim-Off' gala is yet to be advised although it is most likely to be the first weekend in June.

Please note that there will be NO SWIMMING on either of the May Bank Holidays!

Teletots beat Newry & Mourne!

Congratulations to all members of the Teletot team who defeated Newry and Mourne at Cascades last night (Saturday 20th March). It was a great performance from all age groups against a normally strong Newry & Mourne team. Portadown got off to a flying start in the mixed medley relays and kept the lead throughout the individual strokes despite several fine swims from the Newry team. The gala finished with the scores Portadown 216 Newry & Mourne 184. A date for the next fixture against City of Belfast has yet to be confirmed. Thanks to all those who helped officiate poolside and of course those who provided the supper.

PTL Time Trial Gala Saturday 13th March

Congratulation to all 20 swimmers from PASC who took part in the Time Trial gala last night in Ballymena. Although places in the 'End of Season Gala' have yet to be decided there is no doubt that we will have several swimmers representing Ulster Blue Squad in the final against Ulster Red in April. Swimmers form several clubs were took part in the heats including; Lecale, Banbridge, Ballymena, Leander and Larne. All those who have qualified will be notified as soon as possible. A quick pit stop in Burger King in Antrim on the way home made it all worthwhile. Thanks to the usual travelling support from several mums and dads.

Swim Session Changes

Please note the following changes to our current session times.

Green Squad - Saturday 8.30-9.15 am

Red Squad - Saturday 9.15- 10.00 am

Silver Squad - Thursday at Brownlow 6.00 pm -7.30 pm

Gold Squad - Tuesday session now runs 5.00 pm - 6.00pm

No Club Swimming on Wednesday 17th March!

No session Saturday 20th March due to Teletot gala.

'Portadown Times' Swimming News

The Portadown Times has published photographs involving a number of our swimmers over the last two weeks. Although these have been in the pipeline for several weeks it is encouraging to see us given such prominent coverage. Photographs from the County Armagh Championships and our recent bursary award from Texaco have been included in this week's issue (5th February 2010). Copies of these are available from the local 'Times' office. Great to see so many swimmers in official club poolside kit.

Club Fees!

Club members are reminded that fees for the remainder of the season are now overdue! As we continue to use the facilities at Cascades and Brownlow on a weekly basis and are billed for these sessions we would ask that all those concerned make an effort to settle any outstanding fees as soon as possible. Please speak to Paula Wilson at the club desk on Wednesday night.

Diary Dates PASC

• Saturday 6th February - Teletot Gala away to Cookstown


• Saturday 20th February - PTL Gala home to Limavady


• Saturday 20th March Teletot Gala - home to Newry & Mourne

Teletot Gala against City of Belfast (home) to be confirmed

The following 'Graded Galas' are also scheduled to take place:

• 12th - 14th February - closing date 29th January 2010


• 16th - 18th April - closing date 26th March 2010

New FINA Swimsuit Rules!

FINA, the official governing body for swimming have issued new rules regarding swimwear in an attempt to remove what they call "unfair advantage". From the start of this year swimsuits for males should NOT extend below the knee or above the navel and swimsuits for females should NOT cover the shoulders, neck, extend below the knee or have any zips! These rules apply to all clubs and we must adhere to such a policy. Please ensure that all swimwear is suitable for future competitions.

Congratulations to Newry and Mourne

Newry and Mourne were overall winners of this year's Co Armagh Swimming Championships on Saturday. The club came with a large squad and were simply too strong for the other clubs to threaten. Lurgan finished second with Portadown third. Armagh returned to the event after missing a year due to closure of their home pool, the club are still in the process of re-establishing themselves in competition swimming and we wish them all the best in their efforts. A big thanks to hosts Lurgan for such an enjoyable day and to all officials, swimmers and volunteers who helped to ensure a problem free gala. Thanks also to our own team who did their best against stiff competition. There is no questioning the talent of our younger swimmers many of whom came away with a handful of medals. Hopefully event times will soon be available, let's see how many new P.B's were set.

Teletot Gala Saturday 6th February V Cookstown

Members of the 'Teletot' team will face Cookstown (away) on Saturday 6th February 2010 in the second fixture of the season. The team coach will leave from Cascades car park at 4.45 pm! As always, the team will be picked on merit and a full list of those selected will be available from the club desk on Wednesday 3rd February. Swimmers are reminded to contact Sonia if they are unavailable as soon as possible! If we know who cannot swim then other members of the squad can be contacted to take their place. This is especially important to allow relay teams to compete.

Changes to Swim Schedule

• Would swimmers please note the following alterations to swim sessions:
  
  
• Wednesday at Cascades 7.30 - 8.00 pm small pool swimmers can now also swim at Brownlow on Thursday from 6.30 - 7.00 pm.

• Silver squad members can also swim at Brownlow on Thursday from 6.00 - 7.00pm.

• Please note that Yellow squad swimmers do not swim on Saturday morning!

Armagh Championships 2010

Lurgan ASC will host this year's event at the Waves leisure complex, warm-up swims will begin at 8.30am sharp! This is one of the highlights in the local swimming calendar with all teams anxious to 'do their best'. Once again it is expected to be a fight between 'the big two' ie Lurgan and Newry and Mourne for the Championship title but we hope to produce a determined performance and leave with some new PB's and perhaps a medal or two! Swimmers are asked to wear full club kit and ensure that they have plenty of suitable snacks and fluids. The cafe will be open for business throughout the competition. May we as a club wish all those taking part the best of luck and thank hosts Lurgan for all their hard work in preparation for the event. As a result of the Armagh Championships there is no 'Club' swimming this weekend, normal sessions resume on Monday at Cascades.