A SWIMMING club coach from Torquay has won an award for his voluntary sports work and the team success.

Downing has been voted the Torbay's senior sports coach of the year.

Roger has been coaching at the Plainmoor club for 11 years.

Roger, who holds a Level 3 qualification in coaching and constantly attends new courses for the benefit of others, said of his award: "I'm extremely pleased and honoured to have received this coveted award. It is a great reward for all the hard work myself, Neil West and my other swim teachers and helpers and of course the swimmers put in."

His voluntary work sees him on poolside for up to 5 hours a week and the other sessions are taken by Neil West who has been with the club for over 4 years and several other swim teachers and helpers. Dave Gilby , the Club Chairman said: "The club has gone from strength to strength, rising through the national league and being promoted to Division 2 from Division 3."

He added: "The nomination for the award was well overdue. It was for a man who I regard as a man above men who gives his hours endlessly for the development of the young." Roger also helps as one of the coaches for the Devon swim squad.

Roger and Neil have boosted membership to the club and they are having to extend their pool time to help cope with the new numbers. The club trains all the year round, stopping only for Christmas and New Year weeks and holiday periods.

As well as training and competing, the team supports the local pool which is run as a Charity by raising and contributing over £4,000 from bag-packing groceries at the local Sainsbury's store this year.

Congratulations to both Plymouth Leander  and Exeter City on their outstanding achievement's at the 2010 National League Final.

Please click on link below for Exeter City Press report and see below article for Plymouth Leander Press Report.

Exeter City press Report.

Sheffield, England: Plymouth Leander have become the club champions of England & Wales for this third successive year in winning the 41st National Arena Swimming League Cup Final at Ponds Forge in Sheffield.

Only City of Southampton in the early 1970's and City of Leeds through the 80's and the 90's have managed a consecutive hat-trick of National League titles, with Plymouth romping home in once of the most impressive winning margins in the League's history, nearly 90 points clear of second placed Stockport Metro, a British Swimming ITC.

In lifting the title once more, Plymouth ensured a number of other significant milestones en route. First to be added to their haul was the Relay Challenge Trophy, beating Millfield by an accumulate total of 59.3 seconds across the eight relay events. Of the six Top Age Group Athletes Awards, Plymouth were to take five, courtesy of Myles Pillage and Meryl Attrill in the 11 years age group, Harry Ackland following his English Age Group Record in the 13 years age band and Joe Patching and Achieng Ajulu-Bushell in the 15 years category (ages as of 31/12/09).

No less that eight meet record were claimed by the Plymouth team this time of asking:

Male 11 years 50m Butterfly
Myles Pillage (30.32) - Formerly James Doolan (City of Salford) 2002

Male 13 years 100m Backstroke
Jack Smith (1:03.07) – Formerly Steven Cumper (Portsmouth Northsea) 1998

Male 13 years 100m Breaststroke
Harry Ackland (1:08.49) – Formerly David Bartlett (Portsmouth Northsea) 1998

Male 15 years 100m Backstroke
Joe Patching (58.76) – Formerly Sam Straughan (Plymouth Leander) 2009

Female 15 years 100m Breaststroke
Achieng Ajulu-Bushell (1:12.02) – Formerly Rachael Solway (Guildford City) 2008

Female 13 years 200m Medley Relay
Plymouth Leander (2:04.75) – Formerly Beckenham 2005
(Abigail Carne, Jade Scott, Lara Cosford, Grace Vertigans)

Female Senior 200m Medley Relay
Plymouth Leander (1:56.27) – Formerly Lincoln Vulcans 2005
(Amy McVeigh, Achieng Ajulu-Bushell, Paulina Schmiedel, Emma Wilkins)

Male Senior 300m Freestyle Relay
Plymouth Leander (2:22.62) – Formerly Millfield 2009
(Antony James, Mark Conroy, Anthony O'Driscoll, Calum Jarvis, Aaron Rickhuss, Steven Beckerleg)

Even with five of their athletes unable to attend the competition due to volcanic ash cloud flight disruptions, the 23 wins across the 50 events helps to cement the programme's status as the UK's leading age group and youth programme, with Antony James, Achieng Ajulu-Bushell, Emma Wilkins and Steven Beckerleg also underlining what the PL coaches are able to achieve at the senior end of the sport. Head Coach Jon Rudd said, “This is always a great team event, one that we love to support and it is worth a great deal of kudos to the winning team. Along with our terrific successes at the recent British Championships, we look to use this victory to spur our athletes on into the national and international events waiting for us this coming summer”.

Final Points

•  Plymouth Leander 422
•  Stockport Metro 336
•  Millfield 328
•  Camden Swiss Cottage 288
•  Guildford City 271
•  Hatfield 270
•  City of Liverpool 267
•  Bournemouth/Ferndown 219
•  City of Peterborough 177
•  Boldmere 174

Plymouth Leander would like to thank the support of the Plymouth Sports Development Unit and Tyr for this event.

Meet Results can be found at http://live.nationalswimmingleague.org.uk/SL10A/

Devon Inter County Success

On the 17th October the Devon County swimming team travelled up to Chesterfield in preparation to compete the in the National Inter County Team championships the following day. The coach trip and overnight stay went to plan with only a short delay for our county President to join the coach. The following day the squad travelled the short distance to Ponds Forge Sheffield, where they joined over 1,000 swimmers from 38 teams. The competition is the largest and most prestigious team event in this country as it involves many of the best age group swimmers from every English county, North and South Wales and three regions of Scotland . Along with the usual banner parade, this year's Devon captains where Liam Spruce and Holly Gunner, there was lots of excitement and anticipation for the forthcoming competition. The very colourful and noisy event was opened by Olympians David Carry and Ross Davenport who did a great job of whipping up the crowd, making sure everyone including the county presidents joined in with all the cheering and Mexican waves that travelled around the arena.

The top twenty teams from the results from last year competed in division one and the other eighteen teams challenged for promotion in division two, the top three go up in exchange for the bottom three from division one. This year Devon swam in division two with many first time county swimmers, Rachael Bennett, Zoe Blackoe, Laker Wong, Bruce Traill, Patrick Blake, George Fearnley, Emily Hutchens, Simon Cooper, Daniel Setters, Ryan Bennett, Michael Gard, Reece Worth, Connie Fearnley, Daniel Arscott and Cheslsey Taylor.

Despite the fierce competition Devon performed extremely well as a team with some outstanding points winning performances. Individual wins and maximum points came from Cameron Brodie 16/17 100m fly 56.36 and George Fearnley 12/13 100m fly 1.01.62. Jess Twose had the meet of her life winning both the 12/13 100m free 59.67 and the 12/13 100m back 1.04.77.Her time in the 100m back was the fastest of all the 12/13 year olds competing in both of the divisions.

Other top five positions came from Rachael Bennett 16/17 100m free 2nd , Cameron Brodie 16/17 100m free 2nd , Laker Wong 12/13 100m Br 4th , Patrick Blake 16/17 100m Bk 5th , George Fearnley 12/13 100m free 2nd , Bruce Traill 14/15 100m Bk 2nd and the 12/13 medley team, Reece Worth, Laker Wong, George Fearnley and Daniel Arscott 3rd.

The final 6x50m mixed relay team, which would decide the final position the county would finish in the division, was lead off by Cameron Brodie followed by team mates George Fearnley, Michael Gard, Jess Twose, Connie Fearnley and Holly Gunner. With Devon in the first heat they had to swim against the clock, as Hampshire their main rivals were in the second heat. The Devon team in their usual fighting sprit had a fantastic win over Hampshire, 2.39.35 to Hampshire's 2.39.87. A brilliant finale.

After a short wait the final points came through:

Hampshire 483 Worc 439 Devon 434, only five points behind Worc but mainly and most importantly five points clear of Scot North 429, guaranteeing Devon a place in division one next year.

Congratulations to all the team, staff and swimmers, for their unrivalled enthusiasm, sprit and support. Well done and looking forward to next year's event.

Sheffield, England: Plymouth Leander have become the 2009 British National Age Group Club Champions for the first time this week over five days of intense competition at the Ponds Forge International Sports Centre in Sheffield . Their victory in being named at Great Britain 's leading age group swimming programme was packed with landmark moments, some of which may never be surpassed in British swimming.

Their victory in the Top Club Award at the 2009 British Gas ASA National Age Group Championships saw them win by nearly 130 points, a truly monumental figure. In doing so, they also successfully defended their Top male Club Award from 2008, also winning this by over 130 points.

PL were to take 32 medals across the course of the meet (13 gold, 11 silver and 8 bronze), arguably the greatest medal haul the competition has ever seen since National Age and National Youth Championships were split into two competitions back in 2002. British Age Group Records were also the order of the day, with Matthew Powell taking both the 14 years 100m Freestyle (52.59) and 100m Butterfly (56.56) records, whilst Jack Smith claimed his first similar British landmark in the 13 years 200m Freestyle (1:58.18). Matthew Rose was to set Scottish National Age Group records in the 13 years 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m Freestyle.

There were further historic moments for the Plymouth club. In the Male 400m Medley relay, PL became the first club to ever take gold and silver with their A and B relay teams in the same event. In the Male 800m Freestyle relay, Leander became the first British age group team to swim under 8 minutes, setting a time some 9 seconds faster than had ever been achieved before.

Head Coach Jon Rudd said, “This is a huge achievement for us and indeed for any British club. We are so proud of our achievements and in leading British swimming at both an age group and youth level, we cannot wait to see what we can achieve once the Life Centre is up and running with its 10 lane 50m pool. That is the last piece in the jigsaw to cement our city's standing at the very top of UK swimming”.

Top British Club Award

1: Plymouth Leander 331
2: City of Sheffield 204
3: Stockport Metro 191

WORLD champion swimmer Liam Tancock greeted hundreds of fans and showed off his gold medal as he made his way through Exeter city centre on an open-top bus to the Guildhall where he was welcomed by the Lord Mayor.

The 24-year-old won gold in the 50m backstroke at the FINA World Swimming Championships in Rome — breaking his own world record in the process.

The former Exeter City Swimming Club member said: "It's pretty special, and being from Exeter and getting praise like this, it's fantastic.

"I'm ecstatic to be a world champion, but to come out to a reception like this is the cherry on the cake."

Liam enjoyed a private reception with family and friends in the Guildhall and was presented with gifts from the Lord Mayor .

Kim Stead, of Exeter Swimming Club, said she was delighted with the achievement. She said: "Liam's long association and loyalty to Exeter City Swimming Club is well known in the swimming world.

"He is an inspiration to our young swimmers and we are enormously proud of him.

"Liam is not only a supremely talented athlete who is proud of his roots, but a wonderful ambassador for our county, our country the club and the sport. Today is a day to celebrate our local hero."

CITY ON ITS STARTING BLOCKS TO WELCOME HOME WORLD CHAMPION & RECORD HOLDER

Exeter City Council has revealed its plans to welcome home the Exeter born and bred swimmer Liam Tancock from his success at the World Championships in Rome where he won the Gold Medal in a world record time for the 50 m backstroke.

An open top Stagecoach bus with the swimming hero on board, will leave Bampfylde Street at 12 noon on Wednesday 12 August and make its way through Summerland Street , Sidwell Street and the High Street before stopping at The Guildhall where he will be met by the Lord Mayor of Exeter (Cllr John Winterbottom) for a civic reception in his honour.

Liam, who used to be a member of Exeter Swimming Club during which time he received some grant aided funding from the City Council towards his training, beat his own world record (set during the semi finals in the same championships) to gain the gold medal. 

Kim Stead from Exeter Swimming Club said: "Liam Tancock's long association and loyalty to Exeter City Swimming Club and Jon Randal our head coach are well known in the world of swimming. Liam took time out of his busy schedule last year to compete with the club at Speedo final and recognises the role the club played in his career. Liam says he owes his current success to the club, coaches and parents who provided him with the opportunity to train and compete. His achievements to date have been an inspiration to our young swimmers and the club are enormously proud of him.  Liam is not only a supremely talented athlete but a true ambassador for our county, club and the sport who is proud of his roots. Exeter Swimming look forward to seeing him when he comes home next week. "

The Lord Mayor of Exeter , Cllr John Winterbottom said: "It is pleasing to see that the Council's investment in Liam when he was a junior, has been more than repaid by his success in becoming world champion.  I was on the edge of my seat whilst cheering him on to win the race and was delighted that he managed to beat his own world record in the process. My heartfelt congratulations go out to him on behalf of all residents of his home City and I look forward to welcoming him home next week."

The National Swimming League 40th Cup Final 2009 Sheffield, England:

Our congratulations go to Plymouth Leander who won the 40th National Swimming League Cup Final of England and Wales at the Ponds Forge International Sports Centre in Sheffield in front of a packed spectator's gallery. This, their second successive National Club Champions title sees them join a group of only four English swimming clubs who have managed to win the Cup Final in two successive years.

The Relay challenge trophy was also to go Plymouth Leander some 29 seconds clear of their nearest rivals in the accumulated times of the eight relays.

The Top Male Performance at the meet was awarded to Antony James' 53.55 to win the Open 100m Butterfly, whilst Sam Straughan was also to win the Top Male athlete in the 15 years age group.

Both the Male 13 years 200m Medley and Freestyle relay best times were obliterated, one of which had stood since 1992. The Male 15 years meet records were also taken in the two relay events.

With 22 wins across the 50 events, Plymouth Leander Head Coach Jon Rudd was clearly delighted with his team's efforts. “To win the most significant team event in domestic swimming for a second successive year is a very special achievement for us.

Jon went on to say, “I lead a team of very talented and dedicated coaches without whom this programme would not flourish and be where it is today. The support extended to us by Plymouth College is also second to none and this victory is as much theirs as it is Plymouth Leander's.”

The National Swimming League 40th Cup Final 2009

Interclub 2009

Exeter City are the winners of the 2009 Devon County ASA Interclub competition held at Central Pools, Plymouth on Sunday 26th April beating Plymouth Leander into second place for the first time for many years. Dinnaton Swimming Club came third.

Devon County ASA President Jeanette Stoneman was very pleased to welcome Deputy Lord Mayor Mary Aspenall to the gala where she presented representatives for David Gregory (Best Swim 400m IM) and Achieng Ajulu–Bushell (Best swim 100m Breaststroke) both from Plymouth Leander with trophies for Best Boy and Best Girl over the recent Devon County Swimming Championships. Both swimmers were at the National Swimming League Final in Sheffield where Plymouth Leander won the title. Also present was Wiltshire ASA President Mr. Paul Robbins and his wife Linda.

The interclub is a very hard fought competition at every level and there is as much at stake for teams all the way down the table with many friendly rivalries between neighbouring clubs.

The full results are

The Interclub competition concludes the Devon County Championships for 2009 and we would like to thank all the volunteers who helped to make it a success.

On the 15th Nov 2008 The Devon Masters & Seniors Team took part in South West Regional leg of the National Inter County competition. The west leg was for the Sun Life Trophy which they have only lost once since 2000. Once again they won it with some very good swims.

•  Devon 309.5 points
•  Wilts 251 points
•  Gloucs. 248 points
•  Dorset 246 points
•  Cornwall 194 points
•  Somerset 162.5 points

This is the closet the scores have been for several years. Cornwall had their best team in years which made a lot of difference to the scores.

The times from this gala were then put into the national event where there were 30 counties taking part, the most teams ever. As you can imagine it was very hard to get 1st . places with so many teams taking part. We only managed one with Rebecca Jenkinson winning the 45+ women's 50m. Freestyle.

It was hard even to get top 6 places, in all the races the times were very close as can be seen in the 18+Mens Backstroke were there was only 1.09sec between 1st . & 13th place. Having said that we did get 19 top 6 places out of 68 events & with many others swimmers inside the top 12 places.

I do not usually mention individual swimmers as this is a team event with all swimmers doing their best for the team, but this year I think I must mention our senior age groups as they are few & had to be over used in this event, it would be good if we could find a few more.

Norman Storey our oldest swimmer at 71 did not think he would be needed this year (but was) swam 5 races managing to do faster times than he did last year. Ann Grantham our only lady in the 65+ age group this year at 70 swam 5 events gaining a top 6 th place. Bill Letch at 68 had 7 swims gaining 2 nd in the 50m freestyle, a 3 rd in the 50m fly & 4th in the 50m backstroke. In the 55+ plus age group Sue Haigh had 8 swims gaining 2 nd places in the 50m fly 50mBreaststoke 50m freestyle & 3 rd in the 50m backstroke. We had one other lady in this age group who has only just started to compete, Keri Furre who competed in 4 relays, without her we could not have had teams in these races & she did herself & the team proud. In the men 55+ we only had one swimmer due to a last minute drop out, Paul Russell had to swim 6 races with some PB's.

If we carry on with the swimmers we have at the moment it will it be 5 years before Norman & Bill will get any help & 7 years before there is any help for the ladies.

The top 6 places nationally are as follows.

•  1st. Warwickshire 1800 points
•  2nd Cheshire 1573 points
•  3rd Sussex 1500.5 points
•  4th Middlesex 1441 points
•  =5th Devon 1413 points
•  =5th . Hampshire 1413 points

Well done to all who took part.

15yr old Sam Straughan broke 2 long standing British Junior records at the Hazelmere open meet.

The Plymouth Leander swimmer took records held by Liam Tancock (50m back) in  26.22 and Mark Foster ( 50m fly) in 25.48.

At our 2008 AGM held on 15th November a number of awards were made.

Swimmer of the Year .

This year, with all our Olympians, we had a terrific list of athletes to chose from but in the end our decision was easy and went to a very talented Paralympic swimmer, Louise Watkin.

Achieving, or even qualifying for the Olympics, doesn't just happen on one day. It is the culmination of years and years of hard work and taking one step at a time up a very difficult ladder.

Over the last few years Louise has been working her way up that ladder. She has represented GB in many in Paralympic competitions including the World Cup and World Championships winning over 30 events in DSE long and short course events since 2006.

As well as competing in our own County 2008 competitions as a member of Kelly College she has competed in the Paralympic World Cup in Manchester, the German Open in Berlin and of course the Paralympic Games in Beijing and set 7 British and European records in the 50 & 100m freestyle and 200m IM throughout the year.

Now just 16 year old Louise won selection to swim in 5 events in Beijing, 100m freestyle, 100m Breaststroke, 200m Individual medley, 400m freestyle and 50m freestyle. She won medals in all her events apart from the 400m free where she finished 4th - a fantastic achievement.

In the 100m freestyle she won silver in a British and European record. To this she added a bronze in the 200 IM in a British record and a bronze in the 50m free in a British and European Record and a further bronze in the 100m breaststroke.

Congratulations Louise and good luck for the future.

Volunteers

In a new venture this year we wanted to recognize the efforts and contributions to the County of the many volunteers who help with competitions, training and administration within the facets.

Swimming:

Coach of the Year award went to Roger Downing for his help with Competitive Squad at first assisting Jo John but after Jo's departure for Northern parts he took over and did an excellent job as Lead Coach.

Helper of the Year award went to Sally Davies. Sally helped in many capacities at competitions such as warm up marshal, marshalling, dealing with trophies and medals as well as covering for Chris Tremellen when she was absent.

Grace Parker was awarded Young Volunteer of the Year for all her help at competitions.

Official of the Year was awarded to Pete Boulton, one of our referees who did sterling work as an official, attending almost all of our County competitions this year.

Club of the Year was Tiverton Swimming Club who for many years have provided lunches for the officials at all of our galas at Tiverton.

Synchro:
Janice Waters was awarded Volunteer of the Year. Janice was a founder member of Exeter Syncho club and has been active in coaching and land training ever since taking on a variety of roles in the club.

Coach of the Year was Mary Hooper, another founder member of the club. As well as chief coach she supports other teachers and coaches.

Club helper award was given to Teresa Bryant who helps in a variety of ways including selling equipment.

NATIONAL COUNTY TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS 2008

The National County Team Championships took place at Pond's Forge Pool, Sheffield last Sunday. As usual the massive building was packed to capacity with 38 teams from all over the Country to compete in two divisions.

Devon, competing in Division 2, were dominant in the boys 16/17 age group. Out of their five events the boys won 3 and finished second in the other two. Cameron Brodie swam in 3 of them winning the 100m butterfly and finishing second in the freestyle. Adam John who recently moved to Stockport was thrilled to be able to swim once again for this home County and put in an excellent performance to win the 100m backstroke.

Alex Wooldridge was the third member of the 16/17yr squad and put in a personal best performance to finish second in the 100m breaststroke. Their final win came in the 4 x 50m medley relay where they were joined by Kalon Veale on the freestyle leg. They stormed through to win the event by almost 3 seconds in a time that would have placed them third in Division 1.

Altogether the team put in 14 personal best times. Amy Cole and Joshua Caton (12/13 breaststroke) both took over 3 seconds off their respective times. Braden Wren (14/15 butterfly)and Elliot Boon (12/13 freestyle) both put in good swims to shave over 2 seconds of their entry times as did Jessica Twose (12/13 100 backstroke)

Devon bounced between 2 nd and 9 th in the points table throughout the gala but unfortunately slipped down in the final relays to finish 11th . However, final points were very close in mid table with just one point separating each of the teams placed 8th to 11th and Devon finished just 6 points behind the 7th placed County.

Congratulations to the whole team who swam well and were a credit to the County. Also many thanks to those who travelled as reserves but didn't get to compete.

Team:

Kelly College's Olympians were feted at a reception hosted by Devon County Council at County Hall, Exeter last week in front of a large gathering of invited guests.

Paralympian swimmers Louise Watkin, Lauren Steadman and and Olympian Modern Pentathlete, Heather Fell were welcomed and congratulated by the Chairman of the Council, Councillor John Rawlinson and Leader of the Council Councillor Brian Greenslade. Mark Turner of ITV gave a resume of all the County's athletes' achievements.

Louise who had won a silver and 3 bronze medals in the S9 category in Beijing and Heather, a past County swimmer, who won silver in the Modern Pentathlon were interviewed by the media including the BBC Spotlight.

Also invited to the receptions were some of Devon's future stars from all sports including swimmers Joe Parker from Plymouth Leander and Sarah Timms of Kelly College.

2009 County Competitions update

We have now been able to finalise the dates and venues of next year's competitions. The staff at Tiverton pool have been persuaded to allow us five days for 2009 but, with no guarantee for future years, this will create ongoing problems. We are however extremely grateful to them for their help for the coming year.

This does, however come with some caveats!

At the majority of our Tiverton galas the numbers in the pool have been way over the Health and Safety numbers allowed and in future these will have to be severely restricted. The staff have insisted that spectator numbers are kept within those H & S limits and we shall be looking at how we are going achieve this demand.

We realise this will be very unpopular with parents but we have no option and we ask for everyone's co-operation. We have a limited number of suitable pools available to us and must make the best of those we have. It really is a question of co-operate with the pool's demand or have no galas!

We have 16 days of competition a year. Plymouth allows us just five days a year, Tiverton have now agreed to another five. Five have been booked at the Pyramids in Exeter with the venue for the remaining gala still under discussion.

As most of you will know Exeter also has limited balcony and deck space and for a number of reasons we have avoided this pool in recent years but will have no option but to use in the future. We may have to restrict numbers here too.

All dates for 2009 County galas are posted on the calendar.

There are a number of changes to next year's competitions as follows

• Due concerns expressed by coaches regarding age group finals, swimmers who qualify for Championship finals will no loner be eligible for age group finals. We have however introduced Championship finals for all 200m events and the 400m freestyle. This will give all finalist swimmers the opportunity for two swims.
• Reverse 800/1500m freestyle. We have removed these time trials from the Championships and Development Galas and will hold them as a separate gala on November 16 th (TBC). Although early, they will form part of the following years Championships and will allow swimmers the opportunity to gain an up to date time to enter the SW Time Trials in January at which they can gain a National qualifying time.

This event will be a Championship event only but will be open to younger swimmers. Depending on the take up this may become an age group event in future years. There will be no qualifying times but entries may be limited.

The Programme and full changes to conditions will be posted in due course.

FINA World Short Course Championships - Manchester by Phil Shute (Devon Medical Officer)

It was the most exciting (probably [well...almost definitely]) weekend of my life, watching the World Short Course Swimming Championships at Manchester.

I had the honour of serving as medical officer at the event (1 of 4 over the weekend period)  I saw 15 world records set from my vantage point, pool-side adjacent to the finish!!  Could have been priceless, got it for free!  There have NEVER been more World records set in any meet, anywhere (18 in total for the event [regrettably I could not get off work until the Friday]).  My wife and I had paid as spectators for the Friday eve session; we had cheap seats but the view from everywhere was superb.  Until, and including the Final session, we were disappointed by the attendances, most of Manchester was unaware of the event and certainly didn't give a stuff!  The venue and organisation was superb, the stage management (and I mean stage management) was stupendous, the scale of the event amazing, the MONEY involved staggering.  Apparently James Hickman had been on local radio and TV ad nauseam for months advertising the event, but still poor levels of interest.  The final session coincided with Man Utd vs Arsenal (the traffic coming home was "The Pits".... 4 miles in 2 hrs!!

What a thrill to see Liam in gold medal form; my daughter swam with him at Exeter City, to this date her greatest claim to fame (I doubt he says the same re my daughter).  Great to see so many Brits in finals and a team so cohesive and bouncy.  We still have our work cut out in Beijing!  I've been involved in sport of many disciplines for 40+ years; I've never such perfect athletes.

Thankfully medically it was a quiet Meet.  Worst injury to any athlete I observed was a Scandinavian lady who cut herself shaving (I can't say where).  Worst injury in toto was an interesting chap in the doping team who tripped on the staging and broke a finger in 3 places (had been an international swimmer).  Busiest line medically was competitors, officials and families who had come through "Terminal 5" Heathrow, lost baggage and regular prescribed medication.... the team spent days 1-3 replacing prescriptions.

If this was a dry run for London 2012 then I think the management committee has scored many "Brownie Points" with FINA (who were HUGELY impressed) [with the organisation, not just the medical side {which was frankly under-employed} but had the best view in the house].  In which case, I would give my right arm and most of my bodily fluids to play any part at all in London 2012.  If they don't need me as a medic, I'll sell programmes, or busk in under-passes; this was and will remain a huge thrill.

Plymouth Leander were the expected to winner of this year's Interclub gala which of course they were! The real competition therefore, was between the remaining clubs, each jockeying for position against their ‘nearest' rivals.

Exeter City , now renamed Exeter swimming, and Kelly College returned to the competition after a year's absence and it was Exeter who took the runners up position. They fought at tight battle with Barnstaple throughout the gala with only a few points between them but in the end Exeter just squeezed into second place by 2 points.

Kelly College who suffer from a lack of the younger age group finished fourth, 50 points behind.

Final results

1. Plymouth Leander 579
2. Exeter 478
3. Barnstaple 476
4. Kelly College 426
5. Kingsbridge Kingfishers 375
6. Dinnaton 364
7. Newton Abbot 322
8. Exmouth 293
10. Oddicombe 254
11. Tiverton 239
12. Torridgeside 229
13. Torquay Leander 217
14. Paignton 178
15. Ilfracombe 175
16. Tavistock 161

Exeter Swimming club took advantage of Liam Tancock's return to the city for a few days break and held a presentation evening to recognise his achievements. The presentation was attended by about 100 swimmers as well as guests including the Lord Mayor of Exeter and Devon County President Dave Avery.

Liam brought his amazing collection of medals for all to see. As well as the four he won at the FINA World Short Course Championships in Manchester last week he also brought medals from previous World Championships, the Commonwealth Games as well as other international meets.

Liam was presented him with a portrait, showing him at the end of his gold medal winning race at the Commonwealth Games in Sydney , painted by club member Rebecca Jenkins. Later Liam spoke about his experiences in swimming, his time at Exeter City Swimming Club and answered swimmers' questions.

He told the local paper, the Express and Echo, "I want to try to get more people involved in swimming, both watching and taking part," explained Liam.

"I want people to understand swimming and get to know more about it, like how much effort it takes to be at the top of your game and be the best in the world. I think they would be surprised how much, not just training is involved, but things like nutrition and time in the gym and in the pool.

"But it's not just that. People see someone with a hat and goggles on and a Speedo suit and that's all they see. I want them to see outside of that and find out what I'm like as a person. I think that's what the sport needs to boost the profile of swimmers.

Liam, who is taking a year off from studying for a degree in sports science at Loughborough University , arrived on the world stage with a bronze medal in the 50m backstroke in the World Championships in Montreal in August, 2005.

Since then he has won medals all over the world. At the recent Olympic trials he became the quickest man ever over the 50m backstroke and won a gold, two silvers and a bronze in an incredible week in Manchester .

The 22-year-old was in Exeter for the last time before he resumes training for the Games, where he will compete in the 100m backstroke and the 200m individual medley and possibly the medley relay. With the Olympic Games in Beijing just 16 weeks away, national attention is sure to focus on him as one of Britain 's best medal hopes in China .

But he's taken it all in his stride and prefers to focus on the opportunities swimming has given him rather than the success he has enjoyed.

Liam said: "It's great to come back to Exeter and hopefully inspire all these young swimmers. I'm excited about Beijing . All my preparation over the last four years has been for this point."

Liam leaves Loughborough for Sardinia in a few weeks for training and then goes on to Japan in July and finally Beijing in August.