Durham & District Junior League 2nd Division Finalists 2011

There are currently 19 clubs from Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Durham and Cleveland in the Durham and District Junior League, AKA “the Diddy League” which is split into three divisions. All the swimmers in the junior league are aged between 9 and 12yrs old

During March and April each year the teams compete in three first round galas against five other clubs from their division. The top six teams in the division compete in the final.

The Hartlepool Squad were up against some bigger clubs with a larger numbers of swimmers to choose from.  Some of the Hartlepool swimmers had to swim up an age group to fill the gaps in the older age groups.  However that didn’t stop the Hartlepool SC from getting to the finals of the 2nd division when they came 4th in the 1st  gala, 3rd in the 2nd gala and 3rd in the 3rd gala.  Those positions ensured them of a place in the  2nd division final held in Tynemouth Swimming Pool in South Shields on the Sunday 26th June .

Thirty Two young and excited Hartlepool swimmers climbed onto the team bus at 10:30 on Sunday Morning on the 26th June to travel the  40 miles to Tynemouth swimming pool to compete in the 2nd Division final.  The Finals are always very competitive, but also friendly, noisy and lots of fun.

The gala started with each team being introduced to the spectators.  After each team’s introduction they parade themselves around the pool in the fancy dress costumes of their clubs choice.  The Hartlepool boys dressed as Surfers with Bermuda Shorts, Sunglasses, baseball cap and a surf boards.  The Hartlepool girls dressed in hula skirts wearing garlands and sunglasses.  All the Hartlepool team had on their Diddy League Finalists T shirts specially bought for the occasion by Assistant coach -.

After all teams had paraded themselves and their fancy dress costumes to the spectators it was down to the swimming competition itself.   

After a fiercely fought and nail biting battle between all the Finalists attending the competition the Hartlepool SC squad consisting of Beth Turner, Emily Rafferty, Sam Quarmby, Tilly Skidmore, Ben Harrison, Timmy Berry , Katie Laybourn, Callum Brass , Sophie Walsh,  FFion Lanighan,  Niamh McMorris, Jessica Williams, Aimee Littler, Euan Devonshire, Arran Boagey, Jake Linighan, Cole Baldam,  Katie Quinn, Eve Remington, Holly Clarke, Caitlin Chapman, Alfie Bingham, Finlay Rayner, Alex Edwards, William Lynn, Caitlin Gray, Alex Crosby, Matthew Scott, Adam Dixon, Callum Brackstone, Amy Hill, and Danielle Williams  finished in a very respectable fifth place.

Assistant Coach - said “every member of the swimming squad have given 100%  in the three preliminary galas  and in the final itself. I’m so proud of all the swimmers for the way they have swam and the way they have conducted themselves out of the pool.  I would like to say a very big thank you to the three members of the Hartlepool SC teaching staff,  Shirley Black, Carol Boagey and Robert Black who have helped in making all three galas and the final event possible.”  Alison added “  One last thank you must go to the friends and family of the swimmers for turning up at the three galas and the final giving the swimmers the much needed support and encouragement they deserved “