Young Lakelanders successful at Future Challengers Gala in Lisburn
23 Mar 2025
Young Lakelanders successful at Future Challengers Gala in Lisburn
Ten junior members of Enniskillen Lakelanders Swimming Club travelled to Lisburn on Saturday 22nd March to compete in the fourth meet of the Swim Ulster Future Challengers series at the Lagan Valley Leisureplex, Lisburn.
This gala series is for swimmers aged 10-14 and provides competitive racing opportunities at junior level.
Several medals and lots of new personal best times were secured by the young Lakelanders who displayed their continual improvement and commitment to the sport.
Team coach on the day, Aideen Speer, ably supported the swimmers throughout the meet, providing invaluable pre-race encouragement and post race feedback.
Leah Bannon (13) achieved two new personal best times (PBs) in the 100m individual medley and the 50m freestyle, placing 3rd in her age group in both events. Leah also swam well in the 100m breaststroke, placing 7th in her age group.
Holly Barkley (14) had three strong swims, achieving a third place finish in her age group in the challenging 200m IM with a strong -4 second PB. Holly also had a top five finish in her age group in the 50m freestyle and maintained her entry time in the 100m breaststroke.
Anna May Hill (14) had a great gala placing 2nd in her age group in the 50m freestyle where she secured a new PB. Anna May also placed 7th in her age group in the 100m IM, again achieving a new PB.
Joshua Hill (12) had two impressive swims, placing first in his age group in the 50m breaststroke. He also dropped 3.5 seconds off his PB in the 50m freestyle to achieve a second place finish.
Jakub Mikiewicz Lumayad (11) had a super gala winning two bronze time-banded medals, having placed 1st in his age group in the 100m freestyle and second in the 100m breaststroke. Jakub also maintained his entry time and placed second in his age group in the 100m IM event.
Ella Neal (13) had a successful gala placing 1st in her age group in the 100 IM, dropping 3.32secs off her PB. Ella also placed third in the 100m freestyle maintaining her PB.
Kealan Rice (12) placed third in his age group in the 50m freestyle and 10th in the 100m IM.
Maia Rolston-McAuliffe (11) had a super day with two second place finishes, in the 50m freestyle and 50m breaststroke, dropping over 5 seconds off her PB in the latter event. Maia also swam well in the 100m IM, placing 9th in her age group.
Natalie Swidani (12) had two super strong swims, winning a bronze time-banded medal in the 100m freestyle where she placed second in her age group. Natalie also won her heat well and placed fifth in her age group in the 100m breaststroke where she knocked almost 8 seconds off her PB.
Finley Walker-Leonard (14) had a great gala, dropping 10 seconds off his time in the 50m freestyle to finish 2nd in his age group. He also took 8 seconds off his time in the 100m IM to achieve a fourth place finish and dropped almost 4 seconds off his 100m breaststroke to place 6th.
The swimmers benefitted greatly from the support of the parent volunteers taking on a variety of roles to ensure a successful gala for the young athletes.
Many of these swimmers will make the journey to Dublin next weekend to represent their schools at the National Minor Schools Championships at the National Aquatic Centre and we wish them well.
As always, the club are very grateful for the support of Lough Erne Resort and Western Cars Enniskillen.
- 03 May 2026An Ulster title, a slew of medals and PBs home to Enniskillen from Ulster Champs
A squad of 9 swimmers from Enniskillen Lakelanders Swimming Club attended the Ulster Age Group and Senior LC Championships at the Bangor Aurora Leisure Complex on 1st, 2nd & 3rd May. Competitors from across 32 clubs in Ulster met the tough qualification standards to take part in this key meet over three days, targeting Ulster podium spots, and those important Summer National qualification times. - 26 Apr 2026Lakelanders top the medal board at Spring Gala
Enniskillen Lakelanders Swimming Club held their Spring Junior Gala on Sunday 26th April, an event aimed at younger swimmers. As the Lakelanders approach the first year complete at their temporary base at Omagh Leisure Centre and there was much excitement among the swimmers from the outset with 41 swimmers from Enniskillen Lakelanders taking part. They were joined by competitors from eleven other Ulster swimming clubs. For many of the 8-14 year-old competitors, this would be one their first experiences of individual competition, that all important first step for every sportsperson. - 19 Apr 2026Cracking Racing in Craigavon for Enniskillen Lakelanders' Swimmers
Portadown ASC and Lurgan ASC hosted the South Lake Open Meet 2026 at South Lake Leisure Centre, Craigavon on Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th April. A total of 26 Enniskillen Lakelanders’ swimmers competed over the two day meet.
Saturday morning saw fantastic swimming by 11 of our younger athletes competing in a range of 25m races in the short course format. Many PBs were smashed with the young Lakelanders doing their club proud in the pool. - 29 Mar 2026Enniskillen Lakelanders' swimmers clinch medals & top ten finishes for their sch
The Irish Minor Schools Championships 2026 took place on Sunday 29th March at the National Aquatic Centre, Dublin. 10 Enniskillen Lakelanders swimmers aged 12 and under made the journey, having qualified in November at the regional schools gala in Bangor and were high with excitement as they headed off to Dublin to do their schools proud on the National stage. - 22 Mar 2026Lakelanders Success at Future Challengers Gala in Lisburn
On Saturday 21st March, a group of 14 young swimmers from Enniskillen Lakelanders Swimming Club took part in Round 4 of the Swim Ulster Future Challengers Series, held at Lagan Valley Leisureplex in Lisburn. The competition drew over 450 swimmers between the ages of 10 and 14 from across Ulster.
Participants competed in a range of more demanding events, including Individual Medley (IM), Breaststroke, and Freestyle. The Lakelanders swimmers performed with determination throughout the meet, embracing the challenge of competing against a high standard of provincial opposition while striving to achieve personal best times. - 16 Mar 2026Lakelanders claim awards & PBs in Bangor
11 Enniskillen Lakelanders’ swimmers travelled to the Aurora Aquatic & Leisure Complex, Bangor to compete in Round 2 of Swim Ulster’s ‘Aspiring Champions’ Meet Series on 14th & 15th March. This spectacular 50m pool was the perfect venue for the many challenging events the Fermanagh swimmers were eager to dive into over the weekend. - 16 Feb 2026Lakelanders take the Lead in Lisburn
A squad of 33 Enniskillen Lakelanders’ swimmers attended the Swim Belfast Open Meet on Sunday the 15th of February in Lagan Valley Leisureplex, Lisburn. The gala was a great success for the Fermanagh swimmers who relished the opportunity to compete against swimmers from clubs across Ulster, Leinster & Connacht, returned home with numerous medals and personal best times. - 12 Feb 2026Past & Present Lakelanders lead the way for Fermanagh at Swim Ulster’s Senior Sc
Local Swimmers Sparkle for their Schools as Past & Present Lakelanders lead the way for Fermanagh at Swim Ulster’s Senior Schools’ Cup & Championships in Bangor
The Swim Ulster Schools Cup & Championships 2026 took place on Friday 6th February at Aurora Aquatic & Leisure Complex Bangor. Over 1000 swimmers from more than 130 schools across the province of Ulster took part in the one day event. Three local schools were part of the action with 22 local swimmers taking part. - 01 Feb 2026Young Lakelanders Swim to Success in Belfast
On Saturday 31st January, 13 young swimmers from Enniskillen Lakelanders Swimming Club competed in Round 3 of the Swim Ulster Future Challengers Series at Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre, Belfast. The meet attracted over 450 swimmers aged 10–14 from across Ulster, all taking on the more challenging events of Individual Medley (IM), Backstroke and Butterfly.
The Lakelanders squad rose to the occasion, relishing the opportunity to race against strong provincial competition while aiming for personal best performances. - 26 Jan 2026Lakelanders Secure Medals & PBs at Swim Ulster Open Meet in Bangor
6 Enniskillen Lakelanders’ swimmers competed at Swim Ulster’s Open Long Course Meet at the Aurora Aquatic & Leisure Complex in Bangor on the 24 & 25th January. Swimmers from clubs all over Ireland attended this exciting start to the Long Course season and the Lakelanders were eager to race their fellow athletes in the fabulous 10 lane 50m pool at the Aurora.
Follow Us
