Full 'Speedo' ahead

A NEW sponsorship deal worth £3,000 has ensured that the Guernsey Swimming Club can compete in this year's National Speedo League. 'Living on an island provides a certain degree of isolation and it's vital for our swimmers to show the potential they have when competing against national teams,' said the GSC's president, Jo Norman, of the tie-up with Rothschild.

'It provides our swimmers with a huge amount of confidence and motivation to keep up all the necessary training and hard work.'

A team of about 30 young swimmers are already training for the league which runs during October, November and December. The Sarnians are able to compete during the first two months at home via a 'postal swim', whereby their times are recorded and sent off to the league organisers.

In the final meet in December though, they will be required to swim 'live' and can do so only with sponsorship to help with travel and accommodation.

At last year's event, the GSC amassed the largest amount of points in the final meet, which kept them in Division One.

Rothschild director Stephen Dewsnip said the bank was delighted to support such a talented group of island juniors.

'We are always looking to help local organisations achieve their potential and have been impressed with the dedication and talent of the members of the Guernsey Swimming Club,' he said.

'We wish them every success in the National Speedo League.'

Rothschild already has a close association with one of the stars of the GSC, Kristina Neves. The 10-year-old has already achieved huge success at national level.

Her mother Michelle is an employee of the bank and welcomes the support given to the club.

'Kristina has been competing since she was four and works extremely hard,' she said.

'It's so important for her to be able to compete off island as it gives her the drive to push for further improvement.'