Abertillery Piranhas Swimmers Matthew Jayne and Matthew Gummer both travelled to Ponds Forge Sheffield in order to compete in the 2009 British Gas ASA National Age Group Championships.  Both Swimmers put on some blistering performances to see them set personal best times in all of their events.  Their results were as follows:

Matthew Jayne:

400 Fc   4:27.33  –  Ranked 13^th in his Age Group

200 Fc   2:05.47  –  Ranked equal 12^th in his Age Group

100 Fc   57.80     –  Ranked 13^th in his Age Group

100 Fly  1:03.75  –  Ranked 13^th in his Age Group

Matthew Gummer:

100 Fly heat 59.88 – Ranked 3^rd into final

100 Fly final 59.70 – Ranked 5^th in his Age group

These were fantastic results for the boys who have set times that will see them close to, and qualify for, the 2010 Nationals also.  There were many positive comments flying around about the performances of the boys including: “Although the least physically developed that boy is technically the best swimmer in the pool”.  The boys are now heading to the Welsh Summer Nationals this weekend where they are aiming to achieve further targets before their end of year breaks.

Well done Boys

Piranhas Swimming Club are very proud and would like to congratulate our Jonathan Eke.

He  has reached the 23^rd spot in the IPC (International Paralympics Committee) World Rankings for his classification (S10).  This is not age related so our Jonathan is the 23^rd fastest swimmer in the world, he is also the youngest listed in the top 25.  Jonathan achieved this when he swam in an international meet in Sheffield back in May of this year, when he knocked almost 30 seconds of his best time.

On the 27^th and 28^th June 2009 a team of 34 swimmers from Abertillery Piranhas Swimming Club, travelled to the South East Wales Regional Pool at Newport International Sports Village, to take part in the 2009 Torfaen Sprint Meet.  The impact that was to come would surprise everyone.

On arrival the team began to warm up on poolside in unison in their bright club colours sending out a signal that we are here to perform.

The event started for Abertillery Piranhas with 2 pb’s coming from Ellie Plumley (2:30.23) and Abi Jayne (2:30.57) in a close 200 Fc race.  This was just the start of the string of good results from the weekend.  In total throughout the weekend 151 personal best times were set by Abertillery swimmers during the heats and finals sessions.  Abertillery swimmers; Daniel Atkinson, Molly Beetham, and Ayesha Matthews also picked up the best swimmer awards in their age groups with many other Abertillery swimmers hot on their tails for the awards.  Abertillery also entered 2 teams in the Mixed 250m Cannon relay events finishing 2^nd and 7^th respectively.

As the good results were coming in the rest of the team, feeding off the positive atmosphere within the team, raised their game to perform, and be a part of the pb frenzy.  Unfortunately there were too many big achievements to mention but the swimmers that represented Abertillery Piranhas Swimming Club promoted themselves and their club very well throughout the weekend.  The feedback from other clubs, swimmers, and parents alike was testament to the performances produced by the Piranhas team.

Whilst some swimmers are now looking towards holidays in the near future, many of the Abertillery Piranhas swimmers are now back in training and heading towards the Welsh and ASA Summer Nationals Events, with increased confidence after their results from the weekend.  Both Matthew Jayne and Matthew Gummer are well on their way to achieving their goals after some blistering performances over the weekend.

Head Coach Matt Tutton stated that; “This was definitely a step in the right direction for the club and all of the swimmers involved.  The way in which the swimmers performed individually and as a team pushing each other to success was a pleasure to be a part of.  I would like to extend my thanks to the swimmers for their efforts and professionalism over the weekend and also to my support coaches; Ian Eke, and Rhian Jayne who as always excelled themselves in providing the support required to run a team so effectively.”

Full results from the 2009 Torfaen Sprints meet can be found on the results page of the Abertillery Piranhas Swimming Club website by following the link below:

http://abertillerypiranhas.webs.com/competitionresults.htm

Congratulations  to our Jon Eke on being selected to represent the Welsh Squad at the forthcoming UK Schools Games.  The UK Schools Games will be held from the 3-6th September, with the swimming events taking place at Welsh National Pool Swansea.  To see a full list of all swimming teams follow the link below.
 
http://www.ukschoolgames.com/UK_School_Games_2009_Swimming_Squad_Lists.pdf

Congratulations to all Abertillery Piranhas Swimmers who competed in the Celtic Tri Nations in Swansea 20th-22nd February 2009.  

Apart from the Commonwealth Games, the Celtic Tri Nations is the only event in which Welsh swimmers can compete as a nation, and the event gave all athletes and spectators the opportunity to see some of the best Swimmers from Wales, Ireland and Scotland, who may end up competing in the next Olympic Games in London 2012.

Abertillery Piranhas Swimmers; Matthew Jayne, Abi Jayne, Matthew Eke, David Meredith, Matthew Gummer, Ayesha Matthews, Emily Atkinson, and Daniel Atkinson all gave their best efforts in producing some fantastic results over the weekend. In total 14 personal best times were set.  Matthew Jayne also representing the Swim Wales South East Regional Squad set fantastic times in the 200m and 400m Freestyle, which set him marginally outside of British National Qualifying Times, Matthew also achieved the bronze medal in the 400m Freestyle.  David Meredith also represented Swim Wales in the Welsh Junior Medley Relay along side former Abertillery Piranhas Swimmer Cynfelyn Nancarrow-Lei.  Their relay team just missing out on the Welsh Junior Record in this event.  Matthew Gummer Broke the 64 second barrier for the 100m Butterfly by setting a time of 1:03.42 in a fantastic final that saw him achieve a bronze medal.  Matthew Eke had an awesome 400m Freestyle event seeing him knock 17.72 seconds off his personal best time.   Piranhas newest recruits Emily and Daniel Atkinson shown promise in their events with Daniel setting a new personal best time in the 100m Breaststroke and a good performance in the 200m Breaststroke also, sister Emily put in a good performance in the 100m Breaststroke despite an ongoing back injury.  Abi Jayne held her nerve in such a big event seeing her set a new best time in the 100m Breaststroke, and just outside of her best time in the 200 Breaststroke, showing an improved stroke rhythm.  Ayesha Matthews gave all she had in the 50m Backstroke to see her just outside of her personal best time.

Abertillery Piranhas Swimmers are now back in training and looking towards the Swim Wales Easter Age Group and Youth Championships in April.

To view Piranhas results from the Celtic Tri Nations please visit the results page of the website.

Matt

Head Coach

Abertillery Piranhas Swimming Club

Congratulations

Piranhas would like to congratulate David Meredith on being picked to to represent the Welsh Junior Team in the Medley Relay in the forthcoming Celtic Tri Nations.

David Meredith (4th from left) and Lloyd Meredith (15th from left) with the millenium volunteer officials at this years Dragon Meet in Swansea.

Abertillery Piranhas are pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew Tutton as Head Coach

Matthew will take up the position on 30^th May 2008 with the aim of continuing the progress made by the club over the past three years while John Howles has been at the helm.
Until the 30^th May, Matthew will periodically be seen on poolside formulating information on which he can base the future teaching and coaching structure that will suit the swimmers requirements and make the transition period between the incoming and outgoing coaches as smooth as possible.
The club would like to thank Swim Wales and in particular the Swim Wales Regional Representative, Russell Sparks, for his help and involvement in searching for suitable candidates and securing Matthew as head coach.

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 Congratulations

Congratulations to Hayden and Rhian for passing their exams and becoming ASA Level 2 teachers   

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Swimming: Pool of talent

May 1 2008 by Our Correspondent, Gwent Gazette

A GROUP of swimmers from Abertillery Piranhas travelled to the 50 metre pool at Millfield in April to attend the Avalon Spring Meet.

Ayesha Matthews won gold in the 200-metre butterfly and silver in the 100-metre backstroke.

Alex Schofield gained two gold medals in the 100-metre breaststroke and 50-metre breaststroke.

Claire Brackpool won bronze in the 200-metre butterfly and the 200-metre freestyle.

Matthew Jayne won four golds in the 50-metre backstroke, 100 metre-butterfly, 50-metre butterfly and 200-metre freestyle, Owen Dobbs won three golds in the 50, 100 and 200 backstroke.

There were some very good swims from Abigail Jayne, Bethany Collier, Ellie Plumley, Nathan Rimes, Rhiannon Vaisey and Samuel Prosser.

A team also travelled to Ludlow on Saturday, April 20, to take part in the third round of the Ross Junior League.

Great fun was had by all who took part but unfortunately, despite the teams best efforts, only managed to come fourth.

Piranhas don't loosen grip on title

                                                                Piranhas Cruise into final

                               Swimming: Testing times for Abertillery Piranhas

Sport in Brief