The Phoenix held their 2nd Annual Club Diddy Gala on the 10th Dec 2011.

The gala which was organised by Snr Swimming Teacher/Lessons Co-ordinator, Sarah Del-Guice attracted over 40 young swimmers, ranging from beginners to junior Squad swimmers.

Our band of dedicated club helpers and teachers turned up in force to assist many of the younger swimmers in the water. Senior Squad Members helped by being officials at the event.

Sarah said. "She was pleased to see so many of the beginners and improvers take part in the event, proving once again of the swimmers Ability and not their Disability!" Sarah went on to say. "Thank you to all the volunteer club helpers and teachers and also the squad members who supported and helped at the event".

9 Year old Charley Weston with her medal from the Thetford Lions Disability Gala November 2011.

(This was Charley's first ever gala and look she won a medal! Charley has severe Cerebral Palsy, she is a lovely little girl and has loads of guts..you never know we may be looking at a future Paralympian!)

NOVEMBER IS PROVING TO BE A BUSY MONTH FOR SOME OF THE PHOENIX SWIMMERS.

The start of November is proving to be a very busy and successful time for Amelia Bacon, William Palmer, Callum Simmons, Arron Dadd, Charley Weston and Matthew Garnett.

On Sunday 6th November Amelia and Wills (as he likes to be called) competed at the Braintree and Bocking 200m Swim Meet. Both swimmers achieved Pb's on all their entered events and good placing in their age group.

Sunday 13th November saw Amelia and Wills travel to Epping Forest to compete in the Epping Forest District Short Course event. Once again, both swimmers had a very successful Meet by achieving pb's on all their entered events.

Saturday 12th November Matthew, Callum, Aaron and Charley competed at the Thetford Lions Disability Swimming Gala. The swimmers had a wonderful time bringing back to Colchester many Pb's and good place positions between them.

NIRARI SWIMMING IN THE COLD WATERS OF GOSPORT LAKE!

During the Colchester Phoenix ASC Summer break from training fourteen year old Nirari Youssefi-Titchen took to the cold waters of GOSPORT LAKE to do an OPEN WATER SWIM to raise funds for the charity CORDA (CORDA is a pioneering charity, dedicated to the early diagnosis and treatment of heart disease and stroke).

Nirari who has severe Cerebral Palsy exchanged his Phoenix swim trunks for a Wet Suit, but still insisted in wearing his Blue Phoenix swim cap swam alongside his brother Sargon in the Masters Class and also alongside British Olympic swimmer Ross Davenport!

Well done Nirari!

I DID IT!

11 year old Amelia competed in the LC National Deaf Swimming Championships and Deaf Age Group Gala at the end of March 2011. This competition was the first ever swimming event Amelia had entered.

But she was not put off by the fact this was her first competition as gutsy Amelia came home with 1 Silver, 2 Bronze medals plus Pb's from all the events she entered. Well done Amelia.

I JUST CAN'T STOP SMILING!

The 2011 Suffolk Swimability Gala once again played host to Disability Swimming Teams from over the East Region. Swimmers from the Phoenix, Callum Simmons, Ben Eeles , Arron Dadd and Nirari Youssefi-Titchen all had an excellent meet by coming back to Colchester with many medals and an equal amount of Pb's from the events they entered. Well done to all the swimmers!
Nirari was presented with the young Achievers Cup