Competing in Division 1 Stratford Sharks Junior members aged between 9-12 took part in three galas in April, May and June. The aim was to finish in the top six which would allow them to compete in the grand final in September. This was going to be a very tough competition as in previous years Sharks have narrowly missed relegation.

  The first gala took place at Sutton Coldfield, fifteen personal bests, one club record and eleven first places were recorded. The victorious swimmers were 9yrs Ysabelle Caswell, Charlotte Cox, Lucy Griffiths, Kathryn Lythgo, and William Foster. In the 10yr age group Chloe Hale, Annie Cox, Zabrina Tucker and Olga Hall. The 12 year age group showed their experience and the swimmers leading the way were Lucy Castle, Andrew Morley, Sandy Forysiak, Matt Newman and Ed Caswell. Notable performances were recorded by Castle and Foster with two wins each! The girls and mixed cannon also won in fine style with Molly Wright, Olga Hall, Caswell, Lythgo, Tucker, Ellie Price, Laura Bird and Castle for the girls and Lythgo, Foster, Hall, Christian Clements, Wright, Josh Martindale, Castle and Ed Caswell showing the way in the mixed age relay team. Final scores put Sharks in an excellent third place behind Solihull and Wolverhampton.

  The second gala was held at Leamington Spa and the Sharks team managed to draw three of the strongest clubs in the league combining this with illness, broken limbs and holidays the outlook was not good! The team rallied and battled and the only win of the night went to Ysabelle Caswell in the 9yr Breaststroke this was the only event that either Boldmere or Leicester Penguins did not win. Twenty Three personal bests were recorded Lucy Castle finished second in her backstroke race and she was joined by Lythgo, Foster, Hall, Clements, Wright, Martindale, and Forysiak in the mixed age relay. Third places were achieved by Hall, Hale, Tucker, Bird, Cox, Caswell, Hannah Bexson, Lythgo, Annie Cox, Foster, Clements, Forysiak, James Wimbury, Morley, Ed Caswell, Ysabelle Caswell and Molly Wright. At the end of a tough gala Sharks picked up a well deserved fourth place behind Leicester Penguins, Boldmere and Leamington Spa. Walsall and Oswestry Otters bought up the rear.

  The final gala was hosted by Stratford at Leamington the team was in buoyant mood and the team captains Lucy Castle and Ed Caswell rallied their troops and they were not disappointed! Twenty two personal bests and two club records (Castle and Hall) were achieved over the evening. The gala started well with Ysabelle Caswell again winning the Breaststroke this was quickly followed by Lucy Castle and Elinor Bird. Ianto Davies, Harry Forty, Josh Martindale and Christian Clements in the eleven year old freestyle relay a feat they matched in the Medley relay. The nine year girls Caswell, Lythgo, Griffiths and Cox recorded another first in the freestyle relay. More individual success followed with William Foster, Castle and Lythgo Forysiak, Newman, Morley and Caswell winning both the 12 year old relays.

  . For the 12 yr girls Price, Warden, Castle and Quinn emulated the boys and won the freestyle relay and finished a narrow second in the Medley relay. The points total was very close with the lead swapping throughout the event excitement around the venue grew and the noise levels over the final few events was deafening. The final event was the mixed relay and all the team swam their hearts out and were rewarded with a victory the swimmers were Lythgo, Foster, Hall, Davies, Wright, Martindale, Castle and Forysiak. The final results were announced and Sharks had to settle for second place four points behind Stourbridge but beating rivals Solihull, Phoenix Youth, Oswestry Otters and Haden Hill.

  Many thanks to all the swimmers that took part including Sam Grimshaw, Jack Leeson, Reuben Ledger, Jim Allely, William Scrivens, Annie Wright, Megan Pashley, Ailsa Gavan- McHarg, Jonathon and Caroline Furey, Clement Richardson, Rachel Jones and Alex Bowen without you we wouldn’t be able to compete as a team. Thanks to all the officials, poolside helpers and Parents.

  When all the results were in from division one the Sharks team had finished an excellent 11th place out of 24 teams missing out on the grand final by two points proving that with the strongest team out in all three rounds we may just have done. There is always next year……..