Posted on 9 December 2008
13-year-old Matthew Johnson has been presented with the Junior Boy title at the Yorkshire Sports Awards to top off yet another triumphant year.
Matt is the most successful age group swimmer in British history. Following on from a record nine gold medals at the British Age Group Championships in 2007 and 8 in 2006, he surpassed himself again just when it was supposed to get even harder – winning a record ten out of ten individual golds and taking his tally to 26 national titles within three years.
During 2008’s gruelling four-day event in Sheffield in July he broke a further seven British age group records – adding to the five he broke earlier in the year: this totalling twelve British records in five months, which is in itself a record, with his first being gained at 12 years old.
Matt won both the senior (open age) and junior Yorkshire titles for the 400m individual medley. In the Yorkshire Age Group Championships, Matt remains unbeaten with a 100% record for the third year running, winning all available titles in both long and short course competitions.
BBC Yorkshire Sports Awards 2008 [BBC Look North]
Posted on 24 November 2008
After a sending off at Club Night, Louise Graham is set to leave the club at the end of the week.
Louise has been coaching at the club for seven years, and it is a testament to her dedication and hard work ethic that throughout her time at the club, she has risen from Assistant Age Group Coach right to the top of the tree where she has been the clubs’ Chief Coach for just over a year.
Louise will be heading for pastures new at the ITC in Loughborough; home to many of this country’s top swimmers. Everyone at the club wishes her well in her new position and thanks her for seven years of service.
Good Luck Louise!
Posted on 28 July 2008
Outstanding performances from Matthew Johnson and Danielle Hall-Jackson, helped the City of Leeds on their way to the Top Club award at the ASA National Age Group Championships.
Johnson concluded his 2008 ASA National Age Group campaign with 10 individual gold medals and 3 bronze medals from the team relays. Meanwhile, Hall-Jackson picked up 4 golds (400m/800m/1500m freestyle and 4 x 200m freestyle relay), 1 silver (200m freestyle) and 1 bronze medal (4 x 100m freestyle relay).
Dominating the boys 13 years age group, Matthew Johnson completed his ASA National Age Group Championships in 2008 with easy wins in the 200m breaststroke (2:30.63) and 400m freestyle where he set a new British age group record of 4:09.59 smashing the record by over three seconds. He finished the day by contributing to the team performance in the boy’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay where the City of Leeds team came third.
Summarising Matthew Johnson’s performances, Richard Denigan, head age group coach at the City of Leeds, said, “Matthew’s target was to win ten individual gold medals at these Championships. Some of his events have been close with Matthew being pushed by his competitors, but we expected that and prepared accordingly. He’s come a long way in twelve months and we are both very pleased that he has accomplished his goal. In training we have been focused upon pacing and learning to swim a controlled race. His swims have been more mature but at the end of the day this is all a learning experience for the future”, concluded Denigan.
Posted on 17 July 2008
The youngsters from Wetherby put in some great performances to retain the Ken Binns Memorial Trophy.
Well done Wetherby E‑group!
Posted on 3 June 2008
Rachel Gardener (15), Emma Graham (15) and Stephen Waterhouse (17) have been selected to represent Great Britain in various end of season internationals.
Rachel, coached by Richard Denigan, and Emma, coached by Louise Graham, will represent Great Britain in the European Junior Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, 30th July – 3rd August.
Rachel will swim the 50m and 100m breaststroke whilst also hoping to secure a place in the medley relay.
Emma meanwhile, will be swimming a range of events; 50m, 800m and 1500m freestyle, as well as the 4 x 100m freestyle relay.
A special congratulations to Stephen for making his first senior GB team. Stephen, also under the stewardship of Louise, will represent Great Britain in the European 10K Open Water Cup in Piombino, Italy, 15th June. The European Cup is a selection meet for the European Junior 10k Open Water Championships in Sete, France on 12th July. Stephen will be aiming to secure his place in France, by finishing amongst the top 3 Britons in Italy.
Great Job Guys!
Leeds trio win European Selection [BBC Sport]