Bishop’s Stortford Swimming Club came together in November to celebrate the achievements of their swimmers during the 2021/22 season and their recent Club Championships performances, where swimmers get to compete against each other to be part of BSSC history. This was the first full uninterrupted season since 2018/19 and the first Club Championships and awards night since late 2019.
Sally Winter, BSSC President and European record holding Masters swimmer welcomed the swimmers, many of whom had never been to a Club Awards evening and went on to highlight the fantastic achievements of the BSSC swimmers over the past season. Coach Romesh then inspired the swimmers with his story of transitioning from a non-swimming 9 year old to representing Sri Lanka in the National Diving team aged 13.
The medals and trophies from Club Championships were handed out by BSSC Senior Club Captain Callum Davis, who was ably aided by the two newly appointed Club Captains Freya Reilly and Jakey Hayes. Coach Joe Collins presented the 2021/22 Coaches Awards to:
- The Most Improved Girl: Yana Patel
- The Most Improved Boy: Benjamin Palmer
- Award for Endeavour Girls: Isabelle Earley
- Award for Endeavour Boys: Zack Haslett Fossey
- Sportsmanship Award: Noah Conroy
Some of the trophies date back to the 1950s and provide a fascinating history of each age group and event within the club, for example the Langley Swimming Challenge Cup for most improved boy awarded to 11 year old Benjamin Palmer was first presented in 1955 to a J. Burrows and in 2011 was awarded to an 11 year old who became senior club captain Callum Davis.
Twelve year olds Molly Greatbatch and Elliot Hall accepted the Hertfordshire Peanuts League banner on behalf of the BSSC Peanuts team who had come 6th in the top division of the league during the 2021/22 season.
It was wonderful to be able to celebrate together again from the Under 9’s through to the Over 16s and huge congratulations should go to all the BSSC swimmers! We look forward to many more successes in 2023 and many more celebrations.
