A team of 20 swimmers from Crackley Hall School made the journey to Walsall Baths on Tuesday 9 October to compete in the Independent Schools’ Association’s Midlands Junior Swimming Gala. Success at the Regional event would qualify pupils for the ISA National Championships due to take place later this year in London at the Olympic Aquatics Centre.
Crackley took a depleted team to the competition, as unfortunately the Year 4 children were away on their Kingswood residential. So the Year 5 and 6 children knew that right from the start they would all have to swim superbly if Crackley was to have any chance of being placed in the overall team competition.
The children swam 25m in the pool and the races included both individual events and exciting team relays. For some of the children, it was their very first experience of competitive galas, whilst for others, it was all about times and positions, but as always Crackley Hall’s pupils encouraged each other, from the start through to the finish of every single race.
In the end Crackley’s Boys team finished 6th overall whilst the Girls team were placed 11th out of some 25 schools competing but Junior 5’s Lily Carroll swam sensationally and has earned herself a place in the National Finals. All in all it was a very creditable result for the school.
Crackley Hall Head of Sport, Mrs Kat Vaughan, was delighted and commented, “As always there was a fabulous atmosphere poolside, with the whole team willing each other on. We had some excellent swims and tight finishes, Crackley has some very determined children. Many congratulations to Lily for qualifying for the prestigious National competition in London.”
Well done to all of Crackley Hall’s swimmers for their excellent effort.