The Katherine Turtles had a swimmingly good season despite the closure of the Katherine Aquatic Centre.
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High PFAS levels found in the town pool late last year didn’t stop the Katherine Turtles Swimming Club from keeping up with their training.
Dedicated work from club president Karen McGrath facilitated use of the Tindal RAAF Base pool, just in time for the Katherine Swimming Carnival.
The annual carnival welcomed swimming clubs from Casuarina, Palmerston, Nightcliff, Darwin and Nhulunbuy.
“This is a great facility and it’s fabulous the RAAF Base helped out,” a man from Casuarina Club said.
Throughout the season Katherine swimmers tested their skills against other clubs in Casuarina, Palmerston and Darwin.
“I can’t wait to go back to Darwin, what a great pool and they have those touch pads at the end,” said Campbell Burns.
The long training days, following the black line, were paying off, with many swimmers recording personal best times.
Hard work paid off for three lucky swimmers who attended the Pacific School Games event, with the tremendous assistance of head coach, Pru Ducey.
Pacific School Games is the flagship event of School Sport Australia, which provides opportunities for around 4000 school-aged students to participate in sports at the highest level.
“What a great group of children the club has and I am proud of the club and the dedication shown by the swimmers,” Ms Ducey said.
The Club Championships, held at the Katherine Aquatic Centre rounded out the season with attendance of 40 swimmers competing.
“I am proud to have the privilege to coach the children and love being part of the club,” head coach Robyn Jackson said.
The results from the Club Championships are below.
Katherine Swimming Club Awards 2017-2018
Ashley Meredith Memorial Trophy for KSC Club Champion – awarded to the highest point scorer of the season. Swimmers will achieve HY_TEK points at each meet or time trial, which are based on their time, age and gender for each event – Kaiarose Tisbe.
Barry King & Jenny Anderson – awarded to the person who contributes the most to the team or the club during the season – Karen McGrath.
Jan Heatley Memorial Trophy for 11 Years and Under Most Improved – awarded to the swimmer (11 years and under) who achieves the largest cumulative difference in all strokes over the season – Rafael Fulmanski.
Mahoney Family Trophy for 12 Years and Over Most Improved – awarded to the swimmer (12 years and over) who achieves the largest cumulative difference in all strokes over the season – Jim Rollinson.
Blake Family Trophy Encouragement Award – awarded to the swimmer by the coach after the following criteria have been considered – attitude to training, discipline in the lanes, regular attendance at training, relationship with other swimmers, willingness to apply effort and the desire to improve and continue in the sport – Ellamae Tisbe.
Club Championships
Highest Point Swim – Ryker Bitz
Highest Combined Points – Will Wallace
Club Records
Jim Rollinson – 14 years Boys 50m and 200m Backstroke at Pacific School Games. Open 200m Backstroke at Pacific School Games.
Oscar Francois – 15 years Boys 50m Breaststroke at Casuarina Storm Invitational.
Will Wallace - 12 years Boys 200m Breaststroke at the 2018 NT Open and Age Championships.
Swimming Australia Junior Excellence Awards
Gold – Rafael Fulmanski
Silver – Ryker Bitz
Bronze – Eugene Bolton, Jim Rollinson, Ellamae Tisbe, Will Wallace
Green – Oscar Francois, Talisha Jarrett, Iain Sutherland, Kaiarose Tisbe, Ian Thomson
Most Coachable Swimmers – Darcy McWhirter, Ian Thomson, Leo Howard, Kane Albert
