Inverclyde Now Logo SWIMMING — Inverclyde ASC Hold Annual Awards Event

24 January, 2019 | Local

INVERCLYDE Amateur Swimming Club held its annual presentation night, recognising the swimmers’ achievements in the past year.

The evening began with a look back on the year as a whole, presented by club president Jennifer Garrity. It was a chance to relive some of the swimming highlights such as the Scottish National Age Group Championships, the Clyde Coast Mini League final and the British championships. It was also a great opportunity to reflect on some of the other annual activities the swimmers get involved in such as the trip to Lanzarote and the pantomime visit.

Invited guest Inverclyde Provost Martin Brennan kept the audience laughing with his entertaining and touching speech paying tribute to the many volunteers who keep the club going.

All swimmers were presented with a certificate of achievement, and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place age group winners from the club championships were presented with their trophies.

Keira McKee and Shaun Wiseman

The coaches had four additional awards to present. Best Newcomer, which is open to all swimmers who have joined the club in the last year, went to Keira McKee, who has risen quickly through the squads in her short time with the club. The Land award -– which recognises the best athlete in land-based strength and endurance training –- was presented to Shaun Wiseman.

Alice McClafferty and Matthew Garrity

Junior Swimmer of the Year went to Alice McClafferty, for her commitment and determination to improve. The Senior Swimmer of the Year award was fiercely contested, with Matthew Garrity winning for his year of outstanding wins and West District records.

Cameron Beck and Aimee Watson

The swimmers are also given the opportunity to vote for their own junior and senior swimmers of the year. The Swimmers’ Junior Swimmer of the Year was awarded to Cameron Beck for his great improvement. The Swimmers’ Senior Swimmer of the Year was a more closely fought battle, with Aimee Watson and Matthew Garrity both deservedly sharing the award.

Claire McArthur and Julie Cassidy

There were three other awards presented.  Volunteer of the Year was shared between Claire McArthur and Julie Cassidy, both of whom work tirelessly on behalf of the club in many different ways. Coach of the Year –- also voted for by the swimmers -– was awarded to Kyara Finlay for the third year running.

Shirley Reford and Kyara Finlay

To recognise the 40th anniversary of the club, a new award was created: The Outstanding Contribution to IASC award. The inaugural recipient of this was head coach Shirley Reford. Since joining the club, Shirley has completely transformed the coaching set up, putting a professional coaching team and squad structure in place.

Under Shirley’s guidance, the club has gone from strength to strength, producing regular finalists and champions at national level. Shirley was a hugely deserving and popular winner, receiving a standing ovation from the appreciative audience.

After all the awards, it was time to get the party started as kids and adults alike danced the night away to the top tunes from DJ Bruce Glenny.

Inverclyde ASC thank all who donated prizes for the raffle, including Amazon, BeardyBeardy, Cairn Kilmacolm, Colin Cox PT, Infinity Beauty, Gourock Golf Club and the many generous swim club parents.

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