Burnham-On-Sea Swimming Club has had a very busy few weeks as it draws near the end of its 40th year.
The club has seen many swimmers gaining amazing results in Open and Regional competitions following a successful Somerset County Championships, with three swimmers making finals with regional times.
Alicia Pollard in the 50m breaststroke made the final at the Regionals and achieved a personal best. Josie Hooper achieved a great personal best and Tom Dollery is yet to swim.
The club’s results are even more impressive given that it is a small club compared with most clubs entering these events and is solely run by volunteers for the local community on a non-profit making basis.
The club was delighted this past weekend when one of its teachers, Nathan Clarke, was awarded the runner-up award in the Somerset ASA Young Volunteer of the Year Awards.
Nathan received his award at the ASA’s AGM on Sunday which was held at HMS Heron where Somerset ASA President Mike Coles presented it to him.
“This is a well deserved recognition of all the hard work that Nathan puts in poolside at Burnham-On-Sea Swimming Club. We have a great team of young volunteers and it is fantastic to see the hard work that this involves recognised,” said the club’s Sally Plume.
Over the past year the club was nominated for the Lloyd’s Bank Community Fund and its members were delighted to receive the top award following voting by the local community.
This funding was used to invest in training more teachers and coaches to ensure that the club is able to deliver qualified teaching and coaching to its growing number of swimmers.
The club’s busy season for its main squad culminated on Saturday 16th May when it travelled to Bristol to take part in the Cotswold League Final against Bristol North, Lydney, Dursley, Cheltenham and Minehead.
The whole team put in an amazing effort. The club was also pleased to launch its new kit which was also made by possible by its success in the Lloyd’s Bank Community Fund.
“At Burnham-On-Sea Swimming Club we have been hugely proud of the team this year,” added Sally. “We have had a hard draw this year and swum against clubs much bigger than ourselves throughout the season. We have had swimmers unavailable due to illness, injury or other commitments at every gala, but despite this nobody gave up – everyone gave 100% effort and support.”
“At the final we had several of our regular squad swimmers unavoidably missing, which meant that others swimmers had to fill the gaps and they did it in style, swimming for every single point.”
“Although one of the smallest clubs involved in the series we are also the only club that takes part in the Winter Series, Four Seasons and Cotswold Series as well as open and regional competitions.”
“This gives our swimmers wide-ranging, year-long competitive gala experience against many other clubs. This stood them in good stead in the final and they drew on all their experience to gain a well-deserved second place in a very hard fought, exciting final.”
“It was an amazing evening and everyone had huge smiles on their faces, which is what it is all about. BoSSC are very proud of all our swimmers and hope that they realise how fantastic they are. We would also like to say a big thank you to everyone who supports the club throughout the year.”
