Guernsey have to reject chance of staging national schools champs

GUERNSEY has missed the opportunity to stage one of national swimming's biggest events, all because of the size of its main pool. When away with the Sarnian contingent at the English Schools Nationals, Guernsey Amateur Swimming Association president Brian Allen was sounded out about staging the big event in the island.

'I was so proud when I was approached by the English Schools president who offered Guernsey the chance of hosting a future English Schools Nationals in Guernsey,' said Allen.

'This was a direct result of Guernsey schools having attended the past six years of the competition with teams from the Grammar School, Ladies' College and Elizabeth College,' he added.

'It was then a great disappointment to find out that the minimum requirement for the event is an eight lane 25m pool. I had to explain that the Guernsey facilities would only accommodate a six-lane pool.

'Swimming really is moving on with 50m pools and eight, even 10-lane, 25m pools being built all over England. What a pity we cannot expand Beau Sejour to keep us up with other local authorities' facilities.'