On Saturday 30 June Stratford Sharks swimming club held their annual Girls Only Gala at the Stratford Leisure Centre. Swimmers came from as far a field as Redditch, Stourbridge, Kingsbury Aquarius and of course not forgetting Stratford, who formed two teams on the night, participated in an extremely highly charged fun filled evening. There were numerous spot prizes handed out to swimmers in every race, including vouchers donated by McDonalds, and these became quickly sort after during the evening by very happy faced girls! The night had many enjoyable events for swimmers aged 8 upwards.

  There were numerous relay races with the main trophy of the evening being sponsored by Avonvale Honda, this was won by Stourbridge in a most exciting race. Avonvale also sponsored the last event of the evening and again Stourbridge went home happy with vouchers to spend at their local Next store. Other major trophies were sponsored by NFU Mutual, The Stratford Herald and Accountax Services Ltd. Proving to be the strongest team on the evening Stourbridge scooped all the major prices, but all the teams competing had top placings in hard fought finishes on the night and showing the true spirit behind girls just gotta have fun!!!!

  Stratford Sharks put out two teams to ensure that all their swimmers could participate in the fun and there were many individual wins on the evening with Molly Wright in 9 year age group winning the 1 length backstroke, Lucy Castle and Laura Bryon in the 10 year old age group both putting in gutsy performances with Lucy winning the 2 lengths freestyle and Laura the 2 lengths breaststroke races. In the older age groups, Francis Goss won the 12/13 age group 100m freestyle, Megan Stanley doing the same in the 100m butterfly race and Eve Morley completing the hat trick in the 100m breaststroke, all three having excellently paced swims with exciting finishes. Becky Tame won with ease the 14/15 age group 100m breaststroke and in the open age group Claire Bassinder showing fighting spirit to snatch the 100m breaststroke for the team. Also, there were close second places for Sian Morris, Claire Bassinder, Lucy Tame (twice), Eleri Williams, Alisa Gavin-McHarg, Megan Stanley, Megan Pashley and Harriet Green. In addition to these swimmers, Stratford had numerous third places and almost every age group had a top three placing in all the trophy relay events.

  Stratford would like to thank all the local businesses that supported this gala donated various prizes that were raffled on the evening. Hopefully next years gala will be just as well supported and maybe Stratford can snatch a few trophies back - memo to Stourbridge and Jason the coach!