STEPPING UP: Competitors at West Dorset Warriors' Steps Gala
WEST Dorset Warriors' younger members took centre stage at the club's biannual Steps Gala.
All swimmers compete against
others of similar ability rather than by age group and once again the youngsters delighted their coaches with some excellent results.
With swimmers as young as six taking part, head coach Janet Hewitt was understandably impressed with what she saw.
She said: "It never fails to impress me how these little ones compete in what is undoubtedly a daunting experience - especially when it's their very first time.
"The children have to hold their nerve and keep still at the start and swim their races in front of around 200 spectators. What's more, they have to be sure to swim their strokes properly as we run the gala with all the judges, timekeepers and officials that you'd find at a higher level competition.
"Once they've done it though, practically all the children are really keen to do it again. It's very exciting and of course it gives a purpose to their training."
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Among those who caught the eye were Ben Macklin, Jemima Pople, Lauren Kernan, Oliver Higson-Guy, Jemma Kernan, Harrison Yarnold, Sophie Taylor, Jonathon Greenwood and Matthew Fry.
Hewitt added: "It's really hard to pick out individuals as I'm proud of all them and I'm delighted they got a taste of competitive swimming. They are undoubtedly the future stars of our club and I hope they keep up their excellent achievements."
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