Kingsbridge Kingfishers

Swimming Club

Oustanding Achievements Recognised

Wednesday 23 March, 2016, by Robert Green

Ben Cusack, Mel Jeynes and Emma Noyce with their awards.
 
Ben Cusack, Mel Jeynes and Emma Noyce with their awards.
 
Swimmers and coaches from Kingsbridge Kingfishers Swimming Club have been recognised for their outstanding achievements at a recent award ceremony hosted by the Mayor of Plymouth. The ceremony celebrated the achievements of swimmers at the recent annual Plymouth City Championships.
 
Winner of the Senior Girls Trophy was Emma Noyce aged 17 from Kingfishers. Emma won no less than 6 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze medal in the age group finals at the Championships and she also won gold medals in the Open Age Group Finals for 100m backstroke and 100m butterfly, as well as a silver medal in the 100m individual medley.
 
Award for Top Boy went to Ben Cusack aged 15. Ben won the Lord Mayors Salver Perpetual Challenge Trophy generously donated by Councillor Vivien Pengelly in 2013 when she was Lord Mayor of Plymouth. This award goes to the Top Performing Boy and Girl swimmers over the whole gala.  The award is held for one year but they also get a miniature to keep. Ben achieved a massive total of 8 personal best times at the gala including, 1 gold, 1 silver and 4 bronze medals in the age group finals. He also qualified for three of the Open Age Group finals and came 7th in back stroke, 6th in breast stroke and 8th in freestyle.
 
The Mayor of Plymouth also recognises people who have made a significant contribution to the world of swimming. The Leaze Shield is awarded in recognition of endeavour and excellence. Nominations are invited from all the clubs within the City Of Plymouth group for deserving candidates. The Chairman takes the ultimate decision on who receives the award and this year the award went to Mel Jeynes of Kingfishers.
 
Mel has been a coach and official at swim meets for many, many years and is president of Kingsbridge Kingfishers Swimming Club. He also coaches poolside for the club and is admired and respected by everyone at Kingfishers from the youngest bronze-squad swimmers that he coaches on poolside to the oldest swimmers, their parents and all the coaches. I am sure the whole club joins me in saying a massive well done and thank you to Mel for all that he has done for the club.
 
Kingsbridge Kingfishers are in the middle of their annual Club Championships at the moment. This runs over two weeks during November and December and culminates on Saturday 5 December.