Swimming stars of the future are to battle it out against Canada
Jan 7 2011
The swimming stars of the future are to battle it out against Canada’s young talent – and see if the sports science screening they have undergone can give them the edge.
The 37-strong squad, who are all part of the ASA’s National Talent programme powered by British Gas and aged 13 and over, will be competing against the Canadian squad and a select Northern England team during the Tri-Meet tomorrow and Sunday at the Sunderland Aquatics Centre.
The 18 girls and 19 boys will take part in a full Olympic programme over the two days and will be out to show improvement and put themselves in contention to represent Britain later this year.
Dave Legge, the ASA’s Talent Delivery Manager, said: “The philosophy is to give them long course (50m) race experience because if all goes to plan the majority of the youngsters should be part of the European Junior team.
“The large percentage have taken a big step forward in their overall technical ability and fitness since the first training camp in September.
“What I’m looking for from the weekend is for them to gel as a team and for them to stand up and race fast when they haven’t been rested or tapered.”
Sport Science
The athletes, chosen for the English talent programme because of good club performances, have also been taking part in a training camp earlier in the week (Tuesday to Friday) with pool sessions, land work and sport science tests and guidance to assess their health and look at ways of improving their performance.
They have been learning about performance enhancing techniques like race analysis and peak lactate testing, which can demonstrate if a swimmer’s warm-down is removing lactate from their muscles. All of the procedures are explained to the athletes before they take place to make sure they are fully aware of the reasons behind the tests.
They have also undergone health screening that has included blood test profiles to assess general health, physiotherapy screening to assess and improve flexibility and core strength and cardiac tests, which can rule out some of the problems that lead to 12 young people dying every week in the UK during sport from sudden death syndrome.
“Sport science is a massive part of any sport these days," said Diane Elliot, the ASA’s Physiotherapy and Sports Science Co-ordinator.
“These tests are those that British Swimming use for their elite athletes so it a chance for us to prepare these youngsters for what it would be like to go to a major event and make sure they are not worried about it and know what to expect.
“The other benefit is that the testing can stop them getting injured and prevent problems because the athletes are so young, as well as offering them a chance to improve performance.”
Nick Sellwood, the ASA’s Head Talent Development, said: “This is the second training camp for these youngsters and it’s been a joint camp with the Canadian team, which is a really innovative idea and it’s working really way. Plus I am sure it means the meet at the weekend will be highly competitive!”
The English Talent team competing is:
| Name | Club |
| Alfie Howes | Cardiff |
| Caleb Hughes | Hatfield |
| Charlotte Bradbury | Bolton Metro |
| Chris Steeples | Derventio |
| Danielle Hall-Jackson | City of Leeds |
| Georgina Evans | City of Liverpool |
| Elena Sheridan | Romford Town |
| Harry Needs | Camden Swiss Cottage |
| Jessica Fullalove | City of Manchester |
| Jessica Lloyd | Manchester |
| Jessica Chadwick | Gallica |
| Joel Knight | Millfield |
| Jonathan Carlisle | Sunderland |
| Jordan Theaker | Gallica |
| Joseph Poynter | Millfield |
| Joseph Parker | Plymouth Leander |
| Kristina Neves | Guernsey SC |
| Lauren Quigley | City of Manchester |
| Lucy Emmerson | City of Leeds |
| Lucy Davies | Gallica |
| Marcella Aris | St Felix |
| Matthew Parks | City of Manchester |
| Megan Davies | Gallica |
| Michael Gunning | Beckenham |
| Poppy Ingelson | Norwich |
| Rachel Williamson | Kingston upon Hull |
| Rachel Martin | Nova |
| Rebecca Cole | City of Birmingham |
| Ryan Tomkins | Team Ipswich |
| Sam Horrocks | City of Manchester |
| Sam Van De Schootbrugge | Nova |
| Thomas Moss | Stockport Metro |
| Thomas Barton | City of Liverpool |
| Adam Ingledew | Hatfield |
| Adam Rowe | Lincoln Vulcans |
| Felix Samuels | Camden Swiss Cottage |
| Grace Vertigans | Plymouth Leander |
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