Competition is key to improvement

The ASA National Swimming Championships 2007, held over four sessions and ending last Sunday, generally lived up to expectations against the background of a season geared mainly towards the Games of the Small States of Europe in Monaco five weeks ago.

Whilst there were satisfactory performances from the ASA team, including those who represented Malta at the GSSE, the encouraging factor was mainly provided by the younger swimmers whose continued progress was again evident.

Two national records and an age-group mark, plus another equalled, may give the impression that good technical results were at a premium.

However, judging from the overall statistics, the championships confirmed the progress of our swimmers, not the least of those forming the younger categories.

This view was shared by national coach Andy Colbourn who first focused on the swimmers in the national squad.

"The championships were good as a whole as far as the ASA group was concerned," he said. "There were solid performances all through the team, and those who were expected to do well, obliged.

"There were personal bests from a number of swimmers and two national records by Paul Herrera in the 50 and 100 metres breaststroke."

"These races showed the advantage of having three swimmers who can push one another. Herrera, Andrea Agius and Neil Agius are on a par and the competition between them is a key factor towards improving standards," Colbourn added.

The national coach also highlighted the very useful contribution of club coaches and officials, saying that they did put in a lot of hard work which is bearing fruit.

As for his ASA squad he said: 'It is hoped that after an easy start to next season's cycle in two weeks' time, there will be no winter training interruptions as far as pool availability at Tal-Qroqq is concerned."

Rizzo satisfied

Of the six teams taking part in the championships (ASA, Exiles, IASIS, Sirens, Neptunes and Sliema), Neptunes, guided by Gail Rizzo, were the most successful.

"Apart from Andrea Agius's age-group records there were many swimmers who kept up their improvement with personal bests.

"The work being done is reaping dividends," Rizzo said, at the same time looking forward to improved performances by the 13 swimmers, seven boys and six girls, she will be leading as a coach in the forthcoming FISEC Games in Hungary.

Saviour Privitera, in charge of the steadily improving IASIS team, was also very conspicuous during the championships, spurring his growing number of swimmers on, thus helping them to produce encouraging results.

No doubt, this team is gradually leaving its mark in the national swimming scene.

Stan Ioan Catalin, Sliema ASC's new swimming coach, who was engaged last month, was very enthusiastic over his squad's showing in the championships.

"I will make my swimmers work harder since there is room for more improvement. We have plans to take a number of our swimmers abroad in the coming winter," he said.

"Work will be on physical preparation and stroke techniques. As a result I will be expecting more from my swimmers next season."

On a general note, the Sliema coach said that considering the population of Malta, the national championships showed that there is good interest in the sport, especially from youngsters.

Indeed, that was borne out not only by the number of swimmers taking part in this year's championships, but also by several notable performances which were just outside the age-group marks and many other personal bests.