Leicester Diddy League – Round 3 Grand Final: Times and Report

Corby International Pool, Corby – 16th June 2018

The 2018 Diddy Season was always going to be interesting – could Burton SC improve on the 6th place achieved in their first ever grand final in 2017?

This year the club had wisely used the friendly galas in Matlock and Braunstone to gain experience and confidence amongst our young swimmers. Competitive debuts in Diddy League had gone to many children during the first two rounds that saw the club achieve a fine wins in Round 1 and Round 2. These two results propelled the club into the show piece final once again.

The Club took the spirit of making this final to the maximum, with t shirts, flags and a huge BARMY ARMY of travelling supporters – with parents, siblings, grandparents, aunties and uncles totaling nearly 100 supporters in the stands.

Special mention has to go to the kids who played a major role in helping us make the final who did not swim on the night. So a huge thank you from all at the club to Cassie Parry, Beth Holmes, Millie Barrett, Brieana Shrive, Rosie Bolton, Harry Preston, George Preston and Dylan Mitchell.

This league is for 4 age groups as at the 30th June. The age groups are ages 9, 10, 11 and 12 – with all age groups doing all 4 individual races (so age 9 doing fly) and free and medley relays.

All of the Teams get to parade – led out by Boys Captain Harrison Jones and Girls Captain Ella Cooper – with all the kids all waved flags to the stands –closely followed by coaches Jo Stimpson and Brian Newbold who alongside their coaching colleagues played a huge role in making the dream of reaching a final like this a reality. After our parade had concluded we clapped as our competitors took their turns to wave to the crowds and enjoy the limelight.

It was fantastic for local swimming that Burton SC were joined in the final by Swadlincote SC. The other teams included huge favourites Daventry, defending champions Corby, last years runners up Leicester Neptune, Kettering and Wellingborough.

We then got into a Team Huddle – coaches giving last minute tips and the kids all raring to go. We knew beforehand that both local clubs faced 5 teams who trained more often, had paid professionals in their ranks and vastly more members to call upon to pick their team. Most clubs on show field 2 or 3 teams in each league they take part in on an annual basis.

We knew our achievement was making the final but from race 1 we saw our kids push themselves harder than ever before, with colleagues cheering them on. The heat poolside did take its toll – and the flags in the stands became essential fans for our very own barmy army

Our squad for the final at Corby was:-

Boys:

Age 9 – Dylan Campbell, Lucas Joubert, Jonny Stimpson, Josh Cooper, Toby Durkan and Yuri Oliferuks
Age 10 – Jasper Saunders, Finlay Pearson and James Williams
Age 11 – Harrison Jones, Oliver Frost, Edan Maxwell, Henry Duncan and James Copley
Age 12 – Jed Bavester, Sam Duggan, Will Stevens and Max Sandle

Girls:

Age 9 – Lana Clamp, Poppy Rayner, Bella Richards, Emily Copley and Freya Smith
Age 10 – Charlie Miller, Bella Smith, Georgia Ulyett, Jaina Muogbo, Issy Mills and Rachael Greener
Age 11 – Ruby Welsford, Sophie Haines and Amelie Brown
Age 12 – Ella Cooper, Issy Stanley and Daisy Wong

Captains – Ella Cooper and Harrison Jones

It was a true David v Goliath type night. Our parents made so much noise we looked like a home team and throughout the night the kids cheered every team mate on and also gave 100% in every race. The other teams included swimmers who represent County and Regional teams – but the spirit showed and we wanted to improve on 6th from 2017.

On the night we gained:-

First Places:

Ella Cooper – age 12 50m free
Charlie Miller, Georgia Ulyett,, Jaina Muogbo and Issy Mills – age 10 free relay
Rachael Greener – age 10 25m fly
Ruby Welsford – age 11 25m back
Harrison Jones – age 11 25m back

Second Places:

Bella Richards, Freya Smith, Lana Clamp and Poppy Rayner – age 9 medley relay
Charlie Miller – age 10 25m breast
Harrison Jones – age 11 25m free
Charlie Miller, Bella Smith, Rachael Greener and Jaina Muogbo – age 10 medley relay
Lucas Joubert, Dylan Campbell, Yuri Oliferuks and Josh Cooper – age 9 free relay
Lana Clamp – age 9 25m fly
Lana Clamp – age 9 25m free

Third Places:

Georgia Ulyett – age 10 25m free
Harrison Jones – age 12 50m back
Toby Durkan, Jonny Stimpson, Dylan Campbell and Lucas Joubert – age 9 medley relay
Ella Cooper – age 12 50m breast
Ruby Welsford, Bella Smith, Amelie Brown and Sophie Haines – age 11 medley relay

Result:

In truth this was probably our greatest achievement and may well not be an easy one to repeat – we have won 31 galas in the last 4 years and 3 months – but the Diddy Squad of 2018 wanted a crack at the major final and last night they got to fulfil their sporting dreams in front of over 300 spectators in an amazing venue (if not a little too warm) – A third of which were our team of family and friends – at the end the poolside team clapped them and they clapped us – it was lovely and a clear indication that we were all in it as a club last night

Highlights:

– STAR SWIMMER – joint award to our captains Harrison Jones and Ella Cooper – from friendlies to the final they have led with speed and technique from the front – always encouraging others and playing the essential role of captain to the full extent
– STAR RACE – has to be the age 10 girls free relay – amazing swims by Charlie, Georgia and Jaina – before Issy won by a finger nail – thankfully she had not had them cut for a few days else we would have come second !!!
– Ruby, Ella, Harrison and Rachael all won individual races and had the fans going bonkers!!!!
– The age 10 girls team – our very own Little Mix – of Rachael Greener, Bella Smith, Georgia Ulyett, Issy Mills , Jaina Muogbo and Charlie Miller – in all their races they came top or close to top – they swam their hearts out for each other and have formed great friendships – this is what BASC is all about in truth
– Charlie Miller for coming through 72 hours to go from crutches to glory in the relay
– Rosie Bolton – one of our stars for the last 4 years who despite being ruled out by injury came and took part in the parade, acting as chief cheerleader
– The age 9 kids who gave it all – overcame obvious nerves – taking relay top 3 places in great fashion

Thank you to Simon, Ian, Brian and Jo once again for all of the coaching and advising of the kids on the night,

Suzanne, Rachel and Mary for sending the kids to races (not easy when races start at both ends) – Craig, Jo, Karen and Andy for officiating and timing – Dave and Paul for relay splits

The team will get one last chance to swim as a team on June 30th when they go up against Swadlincote and Etwall in the Annual Charity Diddy Gala.

SIMPLY OUR BEST DIDDY TEAM EVER!!!!!