The annual  Alton Area Junior Schools' Swimming Gala took place last Friday - the last event at the "old"  Alton Sports Centre pool.  Over 190 swimmers competed from 12 local primary schools, and they were supported by friends, parents and grandparents who cheered them on from the balcony. Leo Maliphant,  Primary Schools PE Cluster Teacher ran the event for the 6^thconsecutive year. It was an incredibly inspirational…and noisy afternoon!

There were 6 schools in 2 Heats. 

Heat 1 schools:

• The Butts
• Medstead
• Bentley
• Wootey Juniors
• Anstey Junior
• Rowledge                                           

Rowledge won the Heat 1 trophy.

Heat 2 schools:

• Binsted
• Selborne
• St Mary’s, Bentworth
• Chawton
• St Lawrence
• Andrews Endowed, Holybourne

Selborne won the Heat 2 trophy.

Anstey Juniors  won the Participation Award - an Award for the school that had been the most enthusiastic and encouraging of their team and the other teams,  regardless of winning or losing a race.

We were delighted to once again support the event with a swimming cap for every swimmer. A team of 25 Sports Leaders did an excellent job of keeping score, judging places at the finish line and, above all, providing great support and care of the young swimmers. Eggar’s Alumni Katie, Olly and Gemma  also volunteered to help.

Thanks go to the staff of Alton Sports Centre for accommodating this important school event and to Lindsay Jacobs and Ian Jackson – volunteers from Alton & District Swim Club. They acted as starter and PA announcer respectively. Great Job!

One local teacher tellingly said:   “If you ask any of the Year 6 children leaving our primary school what their favourite memory of school life is, many of them will immediately say “The Swimming Gala!”