20 Jun 2022

 

Enniskillen Lakelanders held their End of Year Event on the 18^th June at the Share Centre, Lisnaskea. This was a new adventure for the Club who in previous years have held an End of Year End Gala for members. The return to sporting activity post covid lockdowns and the associated ‘social life’ has been welcomed by clubs across the country. As a club the Lakelanders are aware that many of our members have found the last two years very difficult in a variety of ways, a fun event bringing members together and building friendships and club spirit was more important than ever this year.

Ninety swimmers and parent volunteers took to the water at the share centre for an afternoon of fun on the waterpark, banana boating and stand-up paddle boarding. Following the water activities, swimmers and their families enjoyed a barbeque and treats spending a few hours building on friendships while chatting in the sun.

Chairperson Aideen Speer addressed the club praising the efforts of all the children and parents for their commitment to their sport. She paid tribute to the efforts of parent volunteers, committee and coaches who not only made today’s event possible but who are there throughout the year. They give their time generously to help the club provide the outstanding service it does for the local swimmers. She also praised the young Aquasprint team on their recent success having won their league, stating “the future looked very bright for the Lakelanders”.

Aideen also applauded club Head Coach Ben Wiffen for all his work this year. Having joined late in the season, the club’s success this year was a credit to Ben, supported by Claire Morris, the clubs Foundation Coach, a volunteer who gives her time to help every younger member starting out with the Lakelanders, with a team of volunteer coaches supporting their training plans.

This year the Lakelanders have 14 swimmers who have qualified for the Irish Age Groups Division 1 in Dublin and Division 2 in Limerick taking place in July. This is a great achievement after two years of little or no swimming and commencing the season with no coach. Throughout the year we have watched these swimmers spend long hours training and competing to reach their goals and are extremely proud of their achievements. The qualifying swimmers were presented with new t-shirts sponsored by The Lough Erne Resort whom we thank for their generous support of the club in the 2021 / 2022 season.

The club would also like to thank Kettyle Irish Foods for sponsorship of the end of year barbeque along with Western Brand, Martin Rooney (EuroSpar) and Lexi Beatty (Beattys Spar). Without sponsors events like our fun day would not have been possible. Thanks also to Chris and Eleanor Neal for all their cooking on the day and the use of their equipment and Janette Mongan for the use of the sound equipment and her help all year at a number of events.

The End of Year Cups were presented as follows:

2011 and Younger – Martha Mc Creesh and Mirko Mann;

2009/10 – Ellie Dunlop and Luke Lannon;

2007/08 - Hannah Beacom and Jamie Lannon;

2006 and older – Emilie Reihill and Kiril Chursin.

The Coaches’ Cup was presented to Hayden James while Outstanding Contribution to Club was jointly awarded to Luke Aiken and Matthew Dolan.

The club would like to wish all the swimmers good luck in the national finals while the younger swimmers look forward to the final sessions this week with a morning of fun with floats planned.

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