Wee Waa Swimming Club development carnival

The Wee Waa Swimming Club hosted its 2019-20 season development carnival at the Wee Waa Memorial Swimming Pool on Saturday, November 30.

The event started at 8.30am and ran well into the afternoon.

There were 129 swimmers in action during the day from Wee Waa, Narrabri, Boggabri, Tamworth, Gunnedah, Kootingal-Moonbi, Moree and Coonabarabran 69 were female and 60 were male.

Those swimmers, who were aged from five-years-old through to 29-years-old, combined to make up 665 entries on the day.

The host club had 71 swimmers in action at its annual carnival and they competed with significant success.

Wee Waa Swimming Club members combined to win 57 events including three relays and five SKINS races, break nine pool records on the day and set 48 new club records.

Wee Waa Swimming Club member Juliet Maxwell dives from the block at her club’s home carnival on Saturday, November 30. The day was a success for Juliet who won three events on the day, placed second in another and third in two more. She also set a club record in the girls’ 11-years 33m butterfly. Wee Waa Swimming Club member Juliet Maxwell dives from the block at her club’s home carnival on Saturday, November 30. The day was a success for Juliet who won three events on the day, placed second in another and third in two more. She also set a club record in the girls’ 11-years 33m butterfly.

Wee Waa Swimming Club's Pat Welsh in action in the boys' 11-12-years 100m butterfly. Wee Waa Swimming Club's Pat Welsh in action in the boys' 11-12-years 100m butterfly.

Narrabri Stingrays’ Andrew Coleman, back, and Wee Waa Swimming Club’s Nicholas Kable, front, launch themselves off the blocks. Narrabri Stingrays’ Andrew Coleman, back, and Wee Waa Swimming Club’s Nicholas Kable, front, launch themselves off the blocks.

Wee Waa Swimming Club's Team's Gracie Lawty (front) and Narrabri Stingrays' Elke Collins (back) scored the gold and silver medals respectively in the 8-years girls’ 33m backstroke. Wee Waa Swimming Club's Gracie Lawty (front) and Narrabri Stingrays' Elke Collins (back) scored the gold and silver medals respectively in the 8-years girls’ 33m backstroke.

Wee Waa Swimming Club's Matilda Currey swims the freestyle lap in her girls’ 11-12-years 133m individual medley event on her way to a fourth-placed finish. Wee Waa Swimming Club's Matilda Currey swims the freestyle lap in her girls’ 11-12-years 133m individual medley event on her way to a fourth-placed finish.

Wee Waa Swimming Club's Ali Murray, Taneika Cochrane and Olivia Wilson dive into the pool to begin the girls’ 11-12-years 100m breaststroke event. Wee Waa Swimming Club's Ali Murray, Taneika Cochrane and Olivia Wilson dive into the pool to begin the girls’ 11-12-years 100m breaststroke event.

Narrabri Stingrays' Armani Todd swims in the 7-years-and-under girls’ 33m backstroke event at her first competitive carnival. Narrabri Stingrays' Armani Todd swims in the 7-years-and-under girls’ 33m backstroke event at her first competitive carnival.

Wee Waa Swimming Club's Harry Bennett and Toby Michell-Smith launch themselves off the blocks. Wee Waa Swimming Club's Harry Bennett and Toby Michell-Smith launch themselves off the blocks .

Wee Waa Swimming Club's Alex Wright races to a fourth-placed finish in the girls’ 13-years 33m backstroke. Wee Waa Swimming Club's Alex Wright races to a fourth-placed finish in the girls’ 13-years 33m backstroke.

Wee Waa Swimming Club's Taylor Horne (back) and Georgia Horne (front) go head-to-head in the girls’ 10-years 33m backstroke. Wee Waa Swimming Club's Taylor Horne (back) and Georgia Horne (front) go head-to-head in the girls’ 10-years 33m backstroke.

Wee Waa Swimming Club's Eddie Lowick hits full speed in his boys’ 33-metre butterfly event which he won. Wee Waa Swimming Club's Eddie Lowick hits full speed in his boys’ 33-metre butterfly event which he won.

Wee Waa Swimming Club's Harry Bennett swims the freestyle lap of the boys’ 13-years-and-over 133m individual medley event in which he won the gold medal. Wee Waa Swimming Club's Harry Bennett swims the freestyle lap of the boys’ 13-years-and-over 133m individual medley event in which he won the gold medal.

Wee Waa Swimming Club's Luke Lowick speeds away to secure a silver medal finish in the boys’ 11-12-years 133m individual medley. Wee Waa Swimming Club's Luke Lowick speeds away to secure a silver medal finish in the boys’ 11-12-years 133m individual medley.

Wee Waa Swimming Club's Brody Slee (back) and Pat Welsh (front) go head-to-head in the boys’ 11-12-years 133m individual medley. Wee Waa Swimming Club's Brody Slee (back) and Pat Welsh (front) go head-to-head in the boys’ 11-12-years 133m individual medley.

Wee Waa Swimming Club's Charlie Haire dives into the pool to begin his boys’ 10-years-and-under 133m individual medley event. Wee Waa Swimming Club's Charlie Haire dives into the pool to begin his boys’ 10-years-and-under 133m individual medley event.

Narrabri Stingrays' Frazer Penberthy powers his way down the pool in the 10-years-boys 133-metre individual medley event on his way to securing the bronze medal. Narrabri Stingrays' Frazer Penberthy powers his way down the pool in the 10-years-boys 133-metre individual medley event on his way to securing the bronze medal.

Wee Waa Swimming Club's Darcy Gleeson swims his way to the gold medal in the boys 11-12-years 100m breastroke event. Wee Waa Swimming Club's Darcy Gleeson swims his way to the gold medal in the boys 11-12-years 100m breastroke event.

Backstroke is Wee Waa Swimming Club's Rosie Ross’ strongest stroke and she proved that by both winning and setting new pool records in the girls’ 13-years 33m backstroke and the girls’ 13-years-and-over 100m backstroke. Backstroke is Wee Waa Swimming Club's Rosie Ross’ strongest stroke and she proved that by both winning and setting new pool records in the girls’ 13-years 33m backstroke and the girls’ 13-years-and-over 100m backstroke.

Wee Waa Swimming Club's Ted Haire swims the freestyle lap in his boys’ 10-years-and-under 133m individual medley event. Wee Waa Swimming Club's Ted Haire swims the freestyle lap in his boys’ 10-years-and-under 133m individual medley event.

Narrabri Stingrays' Serena Malcom swims in the 7-years-and-under girls 33m backstroke. Narrabri Stingrays' Serena Malcom swims in the 7-years-and-under girls 33m backstroke.

Wee Waa Swimming Club's Isaiah Cochrane races to a second-placed finish in the boys’ 13-years 33m backstroke. Wee Waa Swimming Club's Isaiah Cochrane races to a second-placed finish in the boys’ 13-years 33m backstroke.

Narrabri Stingrays' Charlotte Penberthy dives into the pool to swim the butterfly lap of the 13-years-and-over girls’ 133m individually medley event in which she placed third. Narrabri Stingrays' Charlotte Penberthy dives into the pool to swim the butterfly lap of the 13-years-and-over girls’ 133m individually medley event in which she placed third.

Wee Waa Swimming Club's Drew O’Connor in action in the boys’ 11-12-years 100m breaststroke event which he earned a bronze medal in. Wee Waa Swimming Club's Drew O’Connor in action in the boys’ 11-12-years 100m breaststroke event which he earned a bronze medal in.

Narrabri Stingrays' Johnathon Charles swims in the 12-years’ boys 33m breaststroke event in his first carnival appearance of the season. Narrabri Stingrays' Johnathon Charles swims in the 12-years’ boys 33m breaststroke event in his first carnival appearance of the season.

Wee Waa Swimming Club's Jaxon Gray swims the freestyle lap in his boys’ 10-years-and-under 133m individual medley event. Wee Waa Swimming Club's Jaxon Gray swims the freestyle lap in his boys’ 10-years-and-under 133m individual medley event.

Narrabri Stingrays' Ella Tomlinson swims the freestyle lap of her 13-years-and-over girls’ 133m individual medley event on her way to the gold medal. Narrabri Stingrays' Ella Tomlinson swims the freestyle lap of her 13-years-and-over girls’ 133m individual medley event on her way to the gold medal.

Wee Waa Swimming Club's Sarah Smith in action in the girls’ 11-12-years 100m breaststroke event. Wee Waa Swimming Club's Sarah Smith in action in the girls’ 11-12-years 100m breaststroke event.

Narrabri Stingrays' Clare Jensen swims the freestyle lap of her 13-years-and-over girls 133m individually medley event in which she finished fourth. Narrabri Stingrays' Clare Jensen swims the freestyle lap of her 13-years-and-over girls 133m individually medley event in which she finished fourth.

Narrabri Stingrays' Bella Bakhuis, back, and Adison Hartog-Smith, front, in action in the 10-years girls’ 100m butterfly. Adison earned the silver medal in that event and Bella claimed bronze. Narrabri Stingrays' Bella Bakhuis, back, and Adison Hartog-Smith, front, in action in the 10-years girls’ 100m butterfly. Adison earned the silver medal in that event and Bella claimed bronze.

SKINS boys’ 8-years-and-under: Third - Josh Spinks (Gunnedah), first - Eddie Lowick (Wee Waa) and second - Christopher Welsh (Wee Waa). SKINS boys’ 8-years-and-under: Third - Josh Spinks (Gunnedah), first - Eddie Lowick (Wee Waa) and second - Christopher Welsh (Wee Waa).

SKINS girls’ 13-years-and-Over: Third - Chloe Sumpter (Gunnedah), first - Amelia Lush (Gunnedah) and third - Charlotte Penberthy (Narrabri Stingrays). SKINS girls’ 13-years-and-Over: Third - Chloe Sumpter (Gunnedah), first - Amelia Lush (Gunnedah) and third - Charlotte Penberthy (Narrabri Stingrays).

SKINS boys’ 13-years-and-over: Third - Andrew Coleman (Narrabri Stingrays), first - Harry Bennett (Wee Waa) and second - Toby Michell-Smith (Wee Waa). SKINS boys’ 13-years-and-over: Third - Andrew Coleman (Narrabri Stingrays), first - Harry Bennett (Wee Waa) and second - Toby Michell-Smith (Wee Waa).

SKINS girls’ 12-years-and-under: Third - Sarah Smith (Wee Waa), first - Tayla Nott (Wee Waa) and second - Savannah Lyons (Gunnedah). SKINSirls’ 12-years-and-under: Third - Sarah Smith (Wee Waa), first - Tayla Nott (Wee Waa) and second - Savannah Lyons (Gunnedah).

SKINS boys’ 12-years-and-under: Third - Patrick Welsh (Wee Waa), first - Darcy Hannaford (Gunnedah) and second - Luke Lowick (Wee Waa). SKINS boys’ 12-years-and-under: Third - Patrick Welsh (Wee Waa), first - Darcy Hannaford (Gunnedah) and second - Luke Lowick (Wee Waa).

SKINS girls’ 10-years-and-under: Third - Aleira Sunderland (Wee Waa), first - Dana Campbell (Gunnedah) and second - Danika Jones (Gunnedah). SKINS girls’ 10-years-and-under: Third - Aleira Sunderland (Wee Waa), first - Dana Campbell (Gunnedah) and second - Danika Jones (Gunnedah).

SKINS boys’ 10-years-and-under: Third - Will Smith (Wee Waa), first - Jack Lowick (Wee Waa) and second - Frazer Penberthy (Narrabri Stingrays). SKINS boys’ 10-years-and-under: Third - Will Smith (Wee Waa), first - Jack Lowick (Wee Waa) and second - Frazer Penberthy (Narrabri Stingrays).

SKINS girls’ 8-years-and-under: Third - Gracie Lawty (Wee Waa), first - Samantha Murray (Wee Waa) and second - Elke Collins (Narrabri Stingrays). SKINS girls’ 8-years-and-under: Third - Gracie Lawty (Wee Waa), first - Samantha Murray (Wee Waa) and second - Elke Collins (Narrabri Stingrays).

Club president Anthony Gray told The Courier that he thought the day ran well.

“I think it went alright,” Gray said.

“I am on the inside though, so I really hope that everybody there had a good day.

“It ran pretty good I thought.

“At one stage we got held up by a storm but apart from that things ran smoothly.

“We were very happy with the amount of swimmers we had and people that were there.

“We had a 5-year-old and even a 29-year-old swim on the day, that was the minimum and maximum though, most swimmers were around 16-years and under.”

Gray said that he was pleased with not only his club’s success on the day, but their numbers as well.

“Our results on the day were great, but it was just great that we have so many kids who came along and gave it a go,” he said.

“It was pleasing to see.

“Ours is just a development carnival so the only official results were the 100-metre times.

“The rest of the carnival is pretty much used as a practice run for kids that want to go to other carnivals.”

Gray said that it took a significant effort from a dedicated group of committee members to make the carnival happen.

“It took a huge amount of effort,” he said.

“I have to say a huge shout out and thank you to the committee members.

“We’ve had a few issues in having a new online system this year plus new registrations, a lot more members and other things.

“It’s been quite time consuming this year and the committee has done an immaculate job.

“Especially Kerry Crutcher, Lorna Gleeson, Bec Dewson, Carlie Gray and Tracy McMullin and Paul Cecil, those few people I’ve been in constant contact with, then there have been lots of other people who have helped out.

“I’d also like to thank all the timekeepers who helped out on the day, Jeremy Deasey from Tamworth who came over and refereed the day, and to Shane Kable who was the starter.

“There are so many other people to thank like parents and pool staff, it was a combined effort by everybody.”

Gray also thanked all of the sponsors who helped make the event a success.