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Beckenham Swimming Club AGM 2013

5th June 2013

The Beckenham Swimming Club AGM took place on the 5th June 2013, the new committee structure can be found on the Committee webpage. Many thanks to all the new, remaining and outgoing committee members without whom the club would not exist.

Beckenham SC Summer Development Meet 2013

LEVEL 3 SHORT COURSE OPEN MEET 2013

Licensed No. 3LR3494 (Level 3)

On Sunday 7th July 2013

At the Spa at Beckenham - 8 lane 25 metre pool with anti wave lane ropes.

Click here for full information pack, qualifying times and entry forms.

The Meet is licensed at Level 3 and shall be run under ASA laws, FINA Technical Rules of Swimming and these promoter’s conditions. The competition is open to all swimmers who are at least 9 years old on the day of the Meet, and who are registered competitive members of the ASA. The competition shall be swum in the following age bands: 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 with ages determined as at Midnight, 7 July 2013).

Closing Date 14th June 2013 on a first come first served basis.

Click for Promoters Conditions

To enter your swimmer(s) electronically please click on the boxes below to download (Save to your computer) the files you will need. You might want to download them to your ‘Desktop’. Please also print off the “Getting Started” file below, as it gives a Step-By-Step guide on how to make your entries.

Electronic Entry - Getting Started notes for guidance

After reading the guidance notes, use the image links below to:

• Download and install the Entry Manager program

• View the quick start video

• Import the "Entry File Set" for this competition.

British Swimming and ASA statement on Carbon Pro swimsuits

Following concern over the use of Carbon Pro swimsuits in major competitions, British Swimming and the ASA have released this joint statement.

British Swimming and the ASA advise officials that FINA bylaw BL 8.1 only applies to Olympic Games and FINA events. A suit check will only be made if a World or European record is being claimed. There is no requirement for officials to check that costumes are on the approved FINA list. Bylaws BL 8.2 and BL 8.3 cover our requirement for design and material. A suit check will only be made if a World or European record is being claimed.

Any general enquiries should be addressed to the event oganiser:

The Beckenham SC Open Meet Secretary

Lauren Walton secures Euro juniors qualification

18th May 2013

Lauren Walton, from Beckenham Swimming Club, has recently taken part in her first international competition for Great Britain, achieving selection for the European Junior Championships, which take place in Turkey this July 2013.

On Saturday May 18, Lauren was one of a group of British swimmers who took part in the Portuguese Open Water Nationals. She was accompanied by British Swimming officials, leaving her two sisters and parents back in Britain. She was very nervous but excited at the same time.

The weather conditions were less than favourable and not quite what Lauren had expected from Portugal: cold, wet and with winds of 30km an hour.

“They smothered us in animal fat, in the hope it might keep us warm - it stunk like crazy! Soon it was time to enter the water which was beyond freezing,” says Lauren. “A horn sounded and we were off, both sexes together. All I could see were bodies, arms and legs, and I got jostled a fair bit. I started to swim and soon got into a steady rhythm. I had no idea how I was doing or where I was in the pack.”

The conditions were extreme and a number of swimmers from Britain and elsewhere did give up, some quite soon after the race began.

“I felt OK until about 7.5km when the cold really began to kick in,” says Lauren. “Gradually I found it harder to move my arms over my head and at times I found myself intermittently swimming on my back to get some relief. I just kept thinking about all the support I’d had back home from my coach, friends and family. No way was I giving up. Finally I hit the finish pad - I was so relieved to climb out of the water, but so happy that I’d completed my first ever 10km swim.

Lauren was the third female British swimmer to finish in her first Open Water International. As a result she has been selected to compete in Turkey this July.

Also competing on the European stage this summer will be Luke Gunning, another Beckenham swimmer, who qualified to swim in Utrecht at the European Youth Olympics in March at the British International Open in Leeds. Luke already holds national titles at both 100m and 200m Butterfly.

In what has been a stellar season for Beckenham, three of the club’s swimmers – Michael Gunning, Lauren Walton and Kunmi Ogunfeibo - will be taking parting the British Championships this summer. These championships are the trials for the World Championships. And three have also had their places confirmed at a world schools championships in Brazil in November. They are Luke Gunning, Natasha Sinha and Kunmi Ogunfeibo.

Tony Beckley, the head coach, is thrilled with all that his swimmers have achieved. “They have all worked so hard, and this gives us a great platform to build on throughout the club.”

Click here to read the report in the Newshopper

London Region Youth Swimming Championships

4/5th May 2013

Beckenham Swimming Club enjoyed a very successful weekend at the London Region Youth Championships at Crystal Palace on May 4-5. As well as a crop of good individual performances, five of Beckenham’s relay teams qualified for the National Swimming Championships in Sheffield in late July and early August. The women’s open 4x100m freestyle, and 4 x 200m freestyle teams secured their place in the championships, as did the Men’s Open 4 x100m freestyle, 4 x 200m freestyle and 4 x 100m medley relay teams.

Tony Beckley, the BSC head coach, is delighted by the swimmers’ success and hopes that even more may qualify before the July 1 Youths deadline. “With these relay teams, we will be taking about 13 swimmers to Sheffield and the number may increase yet. I am really pleased with what they have achieved through hard work.”

Beckley has high hopes for some of the younger relay teams, who will be competing at Crystal Palace in the London Region Bagcat Championships in early June. The recent successes follow a busy few months for the club, including its participation in the Arena National League Swimming Finals in Cardiff last month. The club punched way above its weight and achieved some very commendable results.

Beckley also took six swimmers to Leeds in March for the British International Open Championships, at which Lauren Walton and Luke Gunning were selected for international honours. Lauren will be taking part in an open water event in Portugal for GB this month, and Luke will represent his country in the European Youth Olympics in Utrecht in June.

Beckenham International Open Meet 2013

Level 1 Licensed Long Course Open Meet

On Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th May 2013

At the CRYSTAL PALACE NATIONAL SPORTS CENTRE

Thank you very much for coming to our meet. We hope you had both an enjoyable and successful time!

Top Visiting Club: Ealing SC

Results can be obtained by clicking here or downloaded Results (.pdf)

With many ‘local’ clubs in attendance, this was a truly international event, with flags of Belgian Waterloo Natation SC also flying high at Crystal Palace. Once again BSC swimmers produced many outstanding swims with PB’s, Regional & National qualifying times being achieved. Well done to all.

Thanks to everyone who made this meet another great success for Beckenham Swimming Club, that includes coaches, parents, swimmers and spectators, and volunteers. A special thank you to Julia Maxwell & Claire Ockwell, for all the organising that goes on behind the scenes.

The National Arena Swimming League B FINAL (2012/13)

22nd April 2013

Beckenham Swimming Club returned again to compete in the National Arena League B Final, Cardiff. Well done to all the swimmers who competed for the Club, it was an exhilarating and exciting afternoon. The event was fast and furious, and overall BSC placed a respectable and creditable 8th place against Clubs many of whom are large City Squads. The overall standings were as follows:

The team had a great start to the gala and BSC had some great swims throughout the afternoon with a number of personal best times achieved. The events were swum in the age groups 11/u, 13/u, 15/u and open. A particular well done to all those who finished in the top three in their events:

Also congratulations to Kunmi Ogunfeibo who earned Top Male Swimmer in the 15/Un age group.

It was a great experience for all swimmers and parents, and the team spirit was fantastic from 6am when the coach left Beckenham, right through to 9pm when we arrived back. Thanks to all parents that travelled to show support and once again thank you and well done to all Coaches and Swimmers. A fantastic achievement!!

A summary of London Winter Waterpolo League 2013

22nd April 2013

This season Beckenham's Water Polo section entered U12, U14 and U16 teams in the London Winter League. The League draws clubs from across an area spreading well beyond the M25 ring and it serves as a good measure of the respective standings of clubs in the area. Our results were very good.

The U12 side finished 3rd of 6 behind winners Sutton and runners up Basildon.

The U16s were also 3rd, this time behind winners Watford and also Croydon.

At this age group there are many more teams and a total of 11 clubs were represented with some fielding two teams. Our star team was the U14s. They easily won their division with a playing record of played 8 won 8; goals for 62 goals against 14. They were the only team in all of the leagues to finish with a 100% record. The runners up were Watford and Sutton finished 3rd. Overall Beckenham was the only club to finish in the top three in all of these age groups so we can be very proud with these results. A huge "well done" goes to all of the players.

Simon Woolley

Development Squad Coach

Beckenham Water Polo

Kent County Championships 2013

12th April 2013

While March is always one of the busiest months of the year for Beckenham Swimming Club, this year it has been a bit special.

For, as well as 66 swimmers competing in the Kent County Championships in February and March, winning 390 medals and setting a clutch of new county records, six of the club’s top swimmers took part in the recent British International Open in Leeds against some of the finest swimmers in the world. And, to top that, two Beckenham swimmers were selected for international competition.

Luke Gunning, 15, won his age group race in the 200m Butterfly event in Leeds and has been chosen to represent the country in the European Youth Olympics in Utrecht in July. His team-mate Lauren Walton, 17, took part in both the 800m and 1500m freestyle events in Leeds and has secured her place in the GB squad in the 10K event in Portugal in May. The other swimmers to take part in this high-level Leeds meet were Michael Gregory, Michael Gunning, Natasha Sinha and Kunmi Ogunfeibo, several of whom made the finals in their own events and achieved personal best times. Kunmi set new Kent Junior and Open records, and a London Junior record, in the 50m backstroke, with a long-course time of 27.2 seconds.

The successes of the past few weeks prove that the club, which also has a thriving waterpolo section, has real depth of talent. Those participating in the county championships ranged in age from 9 to 21, taking part in 451 events, not including relay events. The club’s impressive tally of 390 individual and team medals, plus numerous trophies, included 78 Golds, 76 Silvers and 69 Bronze medals. Beckenham swimmers also achieved at least 10 individual event best performance times, and five relay event best performance times.

One of the youngest record-makers was Tamara-Elise Elliott, who set a new 100 Backstroke time in the 12 year age group of 1.07.64. She also set a new 200m Backstroke record of 2.24.54.

Many of the races were packed with drama and excitement, but one highlight was the age group relay races on the final day of competition. The boys’ 15-16 year and Junior freestyle and medley relay team not only won four heats and four finals in less than two hours, but they also set four new event records in their races.

Beckenham’s head coach, Tony Beckley, is thrilled with the club’s achievements at all levels, and is looking forward to taking at least 10 swimmers to the ASA National Finals in Sheffield in July and August. He said: “Our swimmers all work so hard, and really put in the effort. It is fantastic to see so many of them achieving at this level and they deserve very accolade they get.”

Beckley is now looking forward to leading a squad from Beckenham to Cardiff on April 20 for the finals of the Arena National Swimming League, where they will be up against some of the big city clubs from up and down the country.

A mother’s work…

12th April 2013

Spare a thought for the parents. While it is the swimmers who put in the long hours in the pool, both at the Spa and elsewhere, under the guidance of their coaches, and encouraged by their peers, it is the parents who have to run around providing an early-morning taxi service, shelling out for expensive kit, providing the right food when it is required. And watching anxiously on poolside as training sessions turn into competition, sometimes at a very high level.

This is not an easy role and one that few people think of when they sign up for Tadpoles or Development 1.

One mother who has had more than her fair share of watching anxiously on poolside is Gillian Gunning, mother of Michael and Luke, both prodigiously talented swimmers and, more importantly, hard workers in the water.

Both boys are butterfly swimmers first and foremost and Michael, 18, now has to watch out constantly as Luke, 15, puts him under pressure in big meet finals. Both boys qualified for and competed in the recent British International Open at Leeds, which included some of the finest swimmers in Europe and the rest of the world. They and four other Beckenham swimmers attended the meet with Tony Beckley, the club’s head coach.

For Luke, a good swim in Leeds could mean his first GB selection. His mother takes up the story:

“His time on the 200 fly was 2.05.85, and in the warm-up, Tony came up and sat next to me and said, ‘This is it Luke needs to win the fly in his age group to get on the team’. I said ‘Does he know that?’ and Tony said, ‘Yes, of course’.

“I was really glad that I was not sitting next to someone that I knew as I would be so embarrassed to look them in the eye. I was almost on the floor out of my seat, I came over in a hot sweat, which was not due to my age this time. I was so exhausted at the end of the race as, even though I cannot swim butterfly, I did on this occasion and when he won I collapsed in a ball, engulfed in happiness.”  

As a result of his age group win in Leeds, Luke has been selected to represent GB at the European Youth Olympics in Utrecht from July 14-19. Lauren Walton, who also swam at Leeds, has been selected for the GB 10K event in Portugal in May.

“Of course, we are all so proud of Luke,” says Gillian, “and Michael is over the moon that his ‘baby Luke’, as Michael always used to call him, has achieved this.”

Interview with Sean King, BSC Waterpolo Player & Olympian

22nd March 2013

GBWaterpoloblog talks to Sean King about life in Spain and the prospects of the GB men’s team. Sean started playing polo for Beckenham and Invicta in South London. In 2007 he moved to the high performance centre in Manchester to train full time and study History at University. After completing his degree he moved to Germany and played two seasons for SV Weiden in the German elite league. This took him up to the Olympics and then in need of a new challenge he moved to Navarra in Spain where he is currently playing. Navarra are 6th in the league and pushing strongly for a top 5 finish, enjoy…

Kent County Championships 2013

February & March 2013

Beckenham Swimmers and Coach to represent London Swimming in Barcelona

16th January 2013

Congratulations to coach Tony Beckley and swimmers Michael Gunning, Luke Gunning, Lauren Walton, Rebecca Walton, and Jack Beddoes for being selected to represent London Swimming at the Catalonian Open Swimming Championships in Barcelona on 18th January to 21st January 2013.

Beckenham Swimming Club Make National League Final

12th January 2013

Well done to Beckenham Swimming Club for making the National League Final.

Ellen Gandy's visit to Beckenham Swimming Club

22nd October 2012

BSC swimmer ELLEN GANDY’s visit to the Club on Monday evening (22nd) was a great success, and your turn out was a sure measure of how proud we are of her achievement. A short speech and presentation was followed by Ellen signing autographs and happily posing for photos. Gold and Top Squad were fortunate enough to have an informal question and answer session after their training.

Please could you email any photos from the evening to kathybeckenhamsc@gmail.com as she would like to create a collage for the noticeboard. Don’t forget to include your child’s name.

Kent County Presidents Award

2nd November 2012

Beckenham Swimming Club has been awarded the Kent County ASA President’s Trophy for 2012. Shelly Robinson, President for 2012, said that the premise behind her decision was twofold:

Beckenham’s role in the Olympic selection of Ellen Gandy and Sean King

As an active supporter of the other aquatic disciplines, I have been very impressed with Beckenham’s commitment to water polo, and the efforts of the volunteer force who have clearly become expert at introducing a consistent level of basic skill that gives young players the best chance of becoming the Sean King of the future!

Beckenham Swimming Club was last awarded this trophy in 1993, well done to everyone involved.

• Kent Swimmer of the Year & Kent Junior Swimmer of the Year - Luke Gunning

• Kent County Ladies Championship Points Trophy - Rebecca and Lauren Walton pick up the prize!

• Beckenham Girls Top Age Group swimmers in Kent Champs - Emily McClymont picks up the prize!

• Simon Woolley picks up the Kent President's trophy on behalf of Beckenham Swimming Club

Luke Gunning wins Beckenham’s Best Sports Star

19th October 2012

Congratulations to Luke Gunning for winning the Beckenham’s ‘Best Sports Star’ award at Beckenham’s Night of Honour. Luke was nominated for the award by the general public of Beckenham he attended the formal red carpet presentation evening where the winners were presented with their awards.

For two consecutive years Gunning has been the national champion for his age group in 100m and 200m butterfly and has a promising career ahead. He trains with Beckenham Swimming Club at the Beckenham Spa for about 20 hours a week. His coach previously trained Ellen Gundy who competed in the Olympics this year and he believes Gunning has the potential to go on to compete in future Olympics.

There were 10 presentations made ranging from Beckenham’s Lifetime Achievement Award to Beckenham’s Best Investor in Children Award. The evening itself was a formal red carpet affair with Champaign reception with a number of distinguished presenters such as the Mayor of Bromley, Chief Executive of Bromley Council, Local Beckenham MP, and Deputy Borough Commander of the Met Police. All the nominees walked the red carpets with their families to celebrate the success in Beckenham. Luke was presented with his award by Richard Dobell Captain of Britain’s sitting volleyball team.

For more information on Beckeham's Night of Honour click here.

Kent Awards 2012

13th October 2012

Luke Gunning nominated as both the Kent County ASA Swimmer of the Year and Junior Swimmer of the Year

Sean King nominated as the Kent County ASA Water Polo Player of the Year

Members of the BSC are the overall winners of the Kent County Ladies Championship Points Trophy, the 3rd Place Trophy for the Men’s Championship Points and the overall winners of the Girls Age Group Trophy. Congratulations and well done to all swimmers who took part in the Kent County Championships.