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Diss Otters is extremely proud of Matthew Tatum, who due to his years of hard work and dedication qualified for the Swim England East Region Long Course Regional Championships this year,

Competing in the 100M and 200M Backstroke he fought hard in these 2 very demanding events.

Finishing with a time of 1.05.73 in the 100M and with a time of 2.21.35 in the 200M he represented our club to the highest standard and we all say a massive well done!

This is certainly an event all of our swimmers can aspire to.

3 of our Masters took part in the 8^th Newmarket Master’s Meet on Sunday 24^th April 2022 at Newmarket Leisure Centre.

Adam and Sally Lelean were joined by Emily Rose, they had a great day coming away with a total of 15 medals between them.

Emily had an outstanding meet coming away with GOLD in the 400M Freestyle and 100M Butterfly, SILVER in the 50M Butterfly and Bronze in the 50M Freestyle and 100M Individual Medley.

Sally continued her recent form coming away with GOLD in the 50M and 100M Breaststroke and SILVER in the 50M and 100M Backstroke.

Adam as usual was on top form obtaining GOLD in the 200M Individual Medley, 100M Individual Medley and 100M Freestyle, SILVER in the 100M Butterfly and 100M Backstroke and BRONZE in the 100M Breaststroke.

We took a squad of 7 swimmers from both our Junior and Senior squads to the City of Norwich Long Course Level 1 Easter Meet held over the long Bank Holiday weekend of the 22^nd to 24^th April 2022 at the UEA Sports Park Norwich. Competing against 49 clubs from around the country this really was a thrilling meet and great experience for our swimmers.

Matthew Tatum, our most experienced swimmer at the event again led by example. Competing in no less than 9 events. He qualified for the 100M Backstroke final, after a hard-fought race he finished in 6^th place overall which is a fantastic result. He really was our MVP for the weekend – leading the land warm up for our younger swimmers, keeping everyone entertained and calm poolside throughout the long sessions and imparting his words of wisdom. He had 3 top 8 finishes overall and a fantastic weekend.

Elliot Barkway competed in the 50M Butterfly and the 50M Freestyle events, moving up two places against the accepted entries on his Freestyle.

Jessica Freeman competed in the 50M Freestyle. After a cracking start, she finished in the top 8 for her age group and achieved a solid PB against her accepted entry time.

Freya Reed competed in the 50M Freestyle. She dropped over a second on the event to walk away with a fantastic new PB.

Ella Townsend competed in the 50M Freestyle. She had a great swim shaving off 0.10 to achieve a new PB.

Grace Cook competed in the 100M Freestyle and 50M Freestyle. She climbed up 19 places against the accepted entries on the 100M freestyle with a massive new PB.

Olly Shadbolt completed in the 100M Freestyle and 50M Freestyle. They had a mega weekend, climbing up 10 places on their 100M Freestyle and 19 places on their 50M Freestyle and achieving new big PBs on both events.

6 team members were in action at the Swim England East Region Long Course Regional Development Meet Saturday 2^nd & Sunday 3^rd April 2022 at the UEA Sports Park Norwich. Competing in 14 events across the weekend. The team took on 58 clubs from Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and other local Norfolk teams who's swimmers qualified. This was certainly the biggest event our swimmers have attended in recent years and one to aspire to above County level.

Matthew Tatum our most experienced competitor at the weekend led by example bringing home Gold in the 200IM, Gold in the 50M Backstroke and Silver in the 400M Freestyle as well as a top 8 finish in the 50M Fly.

Thea Irvine our Senior Captain won Bronze in the 200M Breaststroke with a fantastic swim.

Elliot Barkway finished in the top 8 for his 50M Fly with a great swim.

Debuting at their first Regional level meet were Jessica Freeman, Ella Townsend and Grace Cook.

Jessica Freeman has a fantastic 50M Freestyle and came home with a new PB.

Ella Townsend absolutely smashed her PB on 50M Freestyle.

Grace Cook finished well inside the top 8 on the 400M Freestyle swimming a solid race.

 

Sally and Adam Lelean were in action again at the 29^th Annual Guernsey International Open Masters Meet held between April 1^st and 4^th 2022 in Guernsey. The experienced duo have attended this meet a staggering 26 times before, although not always at the same time.

Previously Diss Otters Swimming Club has won the Top Team award but with only 2 swimmers this time it was a little out of reach even for Sally and Adam.

There is a limit of 10 individual events per swimmer, Adam completed the full 10 events and Sally completed 6 events.

Sally achieved 5 Gold medals in the 50M Backstroke, 100M Backstroke, 200M Backstroke, 50M Breaststroke, 200M Breaststroke and she achieved Silver in the 100M breaststroke, an absolute cracking result!

Adam achieved 8 Gold medals in the 100M Breaststroke, 400M Freestyle, 200M Backstroke, 50M Breaststroke, 200M Individual Medley, 200M Breaststroke, 200M Fly, 100M Individual Medley and he achieved 2 Silver medals in the 100M Freestyle and 200M Freestyle, truly an outstanding effort!

Adam also won Top Male swimmer across the entire meet, huge congratulations.

Adam and Sally Lelean were in action again at the Essex Age Masters Championships on March 12^th 2022 at Basildon.

Taking part in 10 events they put on a great performance with 10 top 8 finishes and 7 medals between them.

It was yet another masterclass in swimming by Sally who won Gold in the 100M Breaststroke, Gold in the 100M Backstroke, GOLD in the 50M Backstroke and Gold in the 50M Breaststroke.

Adam was also on top form taking Silver in the 50M Breaststroke, Bronze in the 200M Freestyle and Bronze in the 50M Freestyle.

Both Sally and Adam have supported our club enormously over the many years they have been involved with Diss Otters Swimming Club and we send them huge congratulations on their achievements.

Diss Otters hosted our first development Gala since 2019 on Saturday 12^th March 2022 at the Diss Leisure Centre, where we welcomed teams from Great Yarmouth and Norfolk Vikings competing across 18 events. Being a development gala means that the event is aimed at the less experienced swimmers within the Junior squads, and it gives them the chance to get races and times under their belts away from the bigger Open Galas which in the future they will progress to. Races took place across all strokes over 25m and 50m together with a 100m Medley race made up the programme and the Otters had a terrific evening.

Many parents and older swimmers gave up their time to volunteer with various tasks, in addition to the ever-supportive band of race officials, which saw the gala run smoothly. As always we are extremely grateful to those individuals, if you would like to know more about the opportunities to help your club in various roles please do make yourself known.

Our squad consisted of 25 swimmers from the age of 8 to 14, competing in 114 individual swims, they achieved a staggering 99 Tops 8 places, 39 medals and even more PBs.

The Diss Otters squad members Ruben Thompson, Ethan Baily, James Guerin, Ruby Welch, Amelia Bailey, Elizabeth Ferrier, Abigail Fletcher, Rebecca Fletcher, Seren Jones, Freya Reed, Pascal Van Enckevort, Ben Eastwood, Jacob Reed, Peter Florian For, Emma Deal, Hollie Richards, Lola Day, Olivia Brewer, Connie Ellingham, Nia Jones, Sasha Spinks, Abigail Fall, Emilia Clifford, Tayla Goodswen and Beatrice Ellenor.

100IM age group medallist's were Ethan Baily (B), James Guerin (G), Amelia Bailey (G), Elizabeth Ferrier (G), Freya Reed (S), Ruby Welch (B), Seren Jones (S).

25M Freestyle age group medallist's were Jacob Reed (B), Ben Eastwood (G), Pascal Van Enckevort (B), Ruben Thompson (G), James Guerin (S), Hollie Richards (S), Elizabeth Ferrier (S), Sasha Spinks (G), Seren Jones (B).

50M Freestyle age group medallist's were Ethan Bailey (B), Ben Eastwood (G), Ruben Thompson (G), James Guerin (S), Taylor Goodswen (G), Hollie Richards (B), Elizabeth Ferrier (G), Freya Reed (S), Sasha Spinks (G), Abigail Fletcher (S), Connie Ellingham (B)

25M Butterfly age group medallist's were Jacob Ready (G), Ben Eastwood (G), Ruben Thompson (G), James Guerin (S), Elizabeth Ferrier (G), Freya Reed (S), Ruby Welch (B), rebecca Fletcher (S).

50M Butterfly age group medallist's were Ethan Bailey (B), Freya reed (G), Ashleigh fall (S), Seren Jones (S).

25M Breaststroke age group medallist's were Jacob Reed (S), Ben Eastwood (G), peter Florian For (B), James Guerin (G), Hollie Richards (G), Elizabeth Ferrier (G), Ruby Welch (S), Sasha Spinks (G), Seren Jones (B).

50M Breaststroke age group medallist's were Ethan baily (B), Ben Eastwood (G), Hollie Richards (G), Tayla Goodswen (S), Elizabeth Ferrier (G), Emilia Clifford (S), Ashleigh Fall (B), Abigail Fletcher (G), Connie Ellingham (S).

25M Backstroke age group medallist's were Jacob Reed (B), Ben Eastwood (G), Pascal Van Enckevort (S), James Guerin (G), Ruben Thompson (S), Hollie Richards (G), Elizabeth Ferrier (G), Freya Reed (S), Sasha Spinks (G), Lola Day (B)

50M Backstroke age group medallist's were Ethan Bailey (B), Pascal Van Enckevort (G), Tayla Goodswen (G), Hollie Richards (S), Ameilia Bailey (B), Connie Ellingham (G), Abigail Fletcher (S).

 

This was our first away gala of the year and we took a squad of 20 swimmers to the City of Norwich Long Course open Gala on the weekend of the 5^th & 6^th March 2022 at the UEA Sports Park.

It was a little different again this weekend with no pool warm-up, so we were doing our best dynamic stretches in the sports hall before each session. Our young squad were not phased and are really growing in confidence with each Gala. The cheering section was led by Ben, Matthew and Jon on pool deck and it was lovely to have the parents back in the gallery.

Our squad consisted of Jon Barber, Eleanor Godbold, Grace Cook, Olly Shadbolt, Laurie Shearer, Mya Sidwell, Ella Townsend, Emillia Clifford, Elizabeth Ferrier, Daisy Lewis, Freya Reed, Hollie Richards, Hebe Shearer, Olivia Brewer, Ben Eastwood, James Guerin, Sasha Spinks, Damian Lemke and Matthew Tatum

Participating in 104 individual swims with 43 top 8 finishes and 73 PBs against accepted entry times.

Daisy Lewis and Hebe Shearer dropped 8 seconds and 15 seconds off their 100m Backstroke respectively. Grace Cook took on the 400IM, a great swim after a re-start, smashing her PB by 40 seconds and finishing well inside the top 8 and Matthew Tatum had a great swim and a well-earned PB on his 50M Fly.

Hollie Richards took Silver in the 50M Backstroke. Freya Reed took Bronze in the 200M Backstroke. Ben Eastwood took the Bronze in the 50M Freestyle. Matthew Tatum achieved Gold in the 100M Backstroke, Silver in the 200IM and Silver in the 400M Freestyle. Laurie Shearer took Bronze in the 100M Breaststroke and Bronze in the 200M Backstroke with a 12 second PB. In addition, our Finalists / top 8 finishers were Ella Townsend, Elizabeth Ferrier, James Guerin, Grace Cook, Damien Lemke, Mya Sidwell and Emillia Clifford.

 

Two of our most experience squad members visited the Wales National Pool, Swansea on Saturday 5^th and Sunday 6^th of March to compete in the Swim Wales Masters Long Course Championships of 2022.

Adam and Sally Lelean were in great company with 41 British records, 11 European records and 5 World records being set throughout the meet.

It was a masterclass in swimming by Sally who won Gold in the 200IM. Gold in the 50M Breaststroke and Gold in the 200M Breaststroke. Gold in the 200M Backstroke, Gold in the 100M Backstroke and Bronze in the 50M Backstroke.

Adam was also on top form taking the Gold in the 200M Fly and Silver in the 100M Fly.

Both Sally and Adam have supported our club enormously over the many years they have been involved with Diss Otters Swimming Club and we send them huge congratulations on their achievements.

Diss Otters once again took to the water to compete in the Norfolk County Championships 2022 that had been delayed from earlier in the year. Following the sad event at the UEA Sports Park on Thursday 27th January the event was cancelled and Norfolk Swimming have worked tirelessly to bring the championships back at incredibly short notice.

Our special thanks go to Liam Harvey the Championship Secretary and our very own Head Coach, to Stewart Murray, Chris Galer, Tracey Spinner, Keith Belton and Karen Woodhouse. All the Parent Volunteers, Marshals, Coaches and Team Managers without their hard work and dedication this event simply wouldn’t happen.

Our young intrepid squad of 27 swimmers from the club took to the pool at the UEA Sportspark in Norwich on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th February. Due to the shortened schedule the weekend certainly felt a little different to the norm. There were no Finals, Relays or Skins events but we are hopeful these will be able to go ahead later in the year. This gala is the biggest event most club swimmers take part in and qualification for its various events, from 50m to 1500m is the benchmark that swimmers look to achieve throughout the year.

Diss Otters competitors took part in 118 individual swims over the weekend, achieving a staggering 85 PBs with 66 of those into finals reached or top 8 finishes. The club won 16 medals in total including 6 golds, 5 silvers and 5 bronze. Our swimmers were Ben Eastwood (Junior Captain), Olly Shadbolt (Junior captain), Thea Irvine (Senior captain), Finley Neve (Senior Captain), Ella Goodswen, Tayla Goodswen, Grace Cook, Ella Townsend, Laurie Shearer, Hebe Shearer, Jon Barber, Matthew Tatum, Jessica Freeman, Fay Wilson, Amber Daly, Noah Blair, Damian Lemke, Olivia Brewer, Emillia Clifford, Daisy Lewis, Freya Reed, Emily Rose, Elliot Barkway, Hollie Richards, Forbes Irvine, Kayla Dalliston and Roman Joseph. Qualifiers also included Donald Perrin and Gus Betts.

Special mention must go to Laurie Shearer for taking on the 400IM, no mean feet in this event and coming away with a cracking PB to boot. Hollie Richards for 50m Breaststroke, leading her heat in a fantastic swim and Finley Neve for coming third in the overall 200m Breaststroke and third in the 400m Freestyle 16 years and under Championships, a great result.

Medals going to Finley Neve (5G, 3S & 1B), Ben Eastwood (1G & 1S), Elliot Barkway (1B), Noah Blair (1S & 1B), Damien Lemke (1B) and Matthew Tatum (1B). In addition, our top 8 finishes / Finalists were Ella Goodswen, Grace Cook, Ella Townsend, Laurie Shearer, Jon Barber, Amber Daly, Jessica freeman, Freya Reed, Forbes Irvine, Thea Irvine, Fay Wilson, Kyla Dalliston and Emily Rose.