Sherwood Colliery SC celebrate great 80th year, then go straight back into winning action
The dust hardly had time to settle on the celebrations before the swimmers were back in action the day after to start the defence of their 2014 Champions title in the Notts ASA League, Stage Three. Showing their late-night partying hadn’t affected their competitive spirit, the squad romped to a convincing, first round win at Lammas Leisure Centre, beating fellow rivals Bramcote SC, Carlton Forum SC, Kimberley SC and Nottingham Northern SC with a total of 161 gala points.
The second round fixture takes place at the end of February where Sherwood will be looking to achieve another maximum points win to take into the final round at the end of March. Medal and trophy winners partied late into the night at the presentations after club chairman Andy Rowbottom paid tribute to their commitment, dedication and hard work, alongside that of the team of coaches, committee members and volunteers.
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Hide AdReflecting on Sherwood’s successes last year, he congratulated all of the swimmers on a ‘truly great year’ and thanked them all for their outstanding contributions in what had been the club’s 80th year of competitive swimming.
It was a year in which individual and team national, regional and county champions were crowned, new Sherwood talent was identified by the ASA for their England Talent Programme, Premiership and League champions titles were successfully defended and retained, new English Schools and club records were set and there was even a surprise visit by a double, gold Olympian as part of the 80th year celebrations.
To top off the great year, the club’s achievements were then recognised in the local community as the competitive squads scooped Mansfield’s Team of the Year at the 2014 Sports Recognition Awards. Swimmers received their awards and trophies from head coach Ian Negus and coaches Gary Butcher and Dave Carnell. Owen Ottaway (13) received the silver Paget Plate as the Junior Boys’ Club Champion while Suranne Cave (11) and Hannah Carnell (16) joined him on stage to receive their joint Junior Girls Club Champion Award.
Senior swimmers Jade Clarke (18) and Connor Smith (19) took the equivalent female and male Senior Club Champions titles; all five swimmers had recorded the most number of individual wins in their age group categories.
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Hide AdVeteran Roger Lloyd Mostyn (73) received the highly prestigious Endeavour Award for his outstanding performances in the British Gas ASA National Masters and Senior Championships and 12-year-old Kaitlin Robinson was given the equally prestigious President’s Award in recognition of her poolside, voluntary work for both the club and children and adults with disabilities at the Sherwood Seals Swimming Club.