Team Tring deliver a battling display in Stevenage as new sponsorship deal is announced

The team’s winners were: Max Gething (U13 backstroke), Marcia Billingham (U13 breaststroke), Nathan Gething (U13 butterfly and freestyle) and the nine-year-old girls’ special medley relay team of Anna Birch, Daisy Knight, Lili Doubler and Alice Weston.

Special mentions must got to Sam Pyefinch and Max Gething who, due to reduced numbers in the boys’ team, swam nine and eight events respectively – earning them the boys’ swimmers of the gala accolades.

In fact all the boys had to work very hard, with Josh Weston, Cameron Miller, Charlie Montero and Oliver Denton-Sparke all doing more than their fair share, and swimming in higher age groups.

Coach Steve Aldred chose the youngest member of Team Tring, Lili Doubler, as the girls’ swimmer of the gala, for her two super swims in the nine-year-old girls’ relays.

Aldred said: “Team Tring worked so hard, and were unlucky to miss out on third place overall by such a narrow margin – one point!

“Our young swimmers showed great determination throughout, culminating in a strong third placing in the squadron relay.

“It was lovely to see the support shown by the older members of the squad too, who were there as poolside helpers. Thanks to Katy Colwell, Michael Renkel, Ed Birch and Brianna Mazey.”

A total of 10 PBs were achieved during the evening from Charlie Montero, Olivia Thompson, Josh Weston, Alice Weston, Isobel Geller, Sam Pyefinch and Nathan Gething. A particular highlight was Nathan’s sub-30s time of 29.79s in the 50m freestyle.

Tring’s performance in the first two rounds of the Peanuts League means that the team has made it to the top-6 final of Division Two.

Meanwhile, Tring Swimming Club has announced a new sponsorship deal with PRS Office Furniture and Envirologistics – a local family-run business with a passion for helping the local community.

In business since 1999, PRS employs 65 local people and provides new office furniture and recycling services to a wide range of blue chip companies, as well as many smaller local firms. The company operates from its headquarters in Pitstone and has its logistics hub in Dunstable.

Peter Kemp, MD and owner of PRS said: “We have lots of young people working for us and seeing their energy and enthusiasm is infectious.

“Encouraging kids locally to get out and be active, in a team environment, doing a fantastic sport such as swimming is so important in this Xbox/Playstation era and I’m only too pleased to help.

“The club does a terrific job of making team sports great fun and rewarding all levels – I’m proud to be a tiny part of it”.

The support provided by PRS is essential in helping Tring Swimming club to provide quality coaching to its youngsters.

Chairman Mike Billingham added: “We are delighted to be in partnership with a local business which believes in what we are trying to achieve at Tring Swimming Club.

“When young people channel their energy into a sport like swimming, it gives them a focus, and encourages them to strive to achieve their goals, as well as keeping them fit.

“They learn that working hard achieves results, whatever their personal goals, which is a good life lesson.

“Whether the youngsters go on to compete at regional or national level, or just want to keep fit, integrating a sport into your life is such a good thing to do at a young age, as youngsters who do this are much more likely to continue that healthy lifestyle into adulthood.”

Tring is a friendly club that caters for all levels of experience, from age 7 to adult. Its professional coaches work with individuals on their goals, focusing on technique, performance improvement and fitness. New members are always welcome.