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SWIMMING GALA DRAWS ACADEMY SWIMMER INTO MONMOUTHSHIRE LIMELIGHT

14 Jul 2008

As the second annual Disability Sport Wales Monmouthshire High Schools Gala got underway in Caldicot this week, many pupils had a taste of competitive swimming for the first time. The competition consisted of 17 races, covering three ability bands. Three of the four local authority high schools competed; Caldicot, Monmouth and Chepstow, with a total of 40 individual entries.
Gala Organiser - Claire Lampan, Monmouthshire’s Disability Sport Wales Development Officer was ‘really pleased with the response this year, but was still hopeful that next year, all four high schools will be able to attend, making it a full house!’


On an individual note, it was encouraging to learn, not all those competing are strangers to swimming galas’. Daniel Johnsey (Chepstow), who was spotted at last years gala and was consequentley ‘fast tracked’ to the Swimming Academy that was run by Federation of Disability Sport Wales in Swansea until recently, has made amazing progress in the last 12 months. "It was a joy to see Daniel swimming this year and to see him back in the pool, doing the sport that he loves. The gala has provided an ‘open door’ to be able to work with the schools, and to provide an opportunity for people like Daniel, to taste competitive swimming again is beyond words" said Claire.


Sarah Johnsey, Daniels Mum said "Daniel was a competitive swimmer and swam for the City of Newport, until he was involved in a road traffic accident in November 2005 and seriously injured. After spending 8 months in hospital it took a lot to get him back in the pool and he has worked really hard to be where he is today"
At the close of this years event, Caldicot High School took the ‘Team Winners’ Cup, whilst Chepstow High School took the ‘Team Effort’ award. Each individual swimmer was also awarded an engraved crystal swimming cube.

For more information on Disability Sport in Monmouthshire contact Claire Lampan on 01633 644558 /07753 850550 or by email on clairelampan@monmouthshire.gov.uk.

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