There’s no doubting the dedication of Orkney’s
ten-strong swimming team as they prepare for the island games.
Training up to four times a week will ensure they are in tip-top
condition, and the squad is already showing signs of improved
times for the various events. Ross Reid catches up with the
squad as they continue their preparations.
Orkney will bring a swimming squad of ten to this year’s island
games, hoping that their performances in Shetland reflect the preparations
they have put in through a tireless training regime.
No other squad in the county meets more regularly to train than
the six men and four women who will be representing Orkney in one
of the most competitive events in the games.
Training four times a week, the swimmers have been preparing rigorously
in the build-up to Shetland, commitment that coach Sarah Taylor
has praised.
Performing the role of coach in the island games for the first
time, Sarah said: “Preparation has been going good, they are
certainly very committed and it seems to be paying off so far with
the boys’ relay team already achieving a time eight seconds
faster than the team which went to the island games two-years ago.
“They are pushing themselves to the limits, some of them are
travelling large distances to train in Stromness and Kirkwall, so
we have to be pleased with their determination.
“They are here because they want to be successful and I am
pleased to say that they are working hard.”
Although Sarah hopes the team can do as well as possible, she isn’t
underestimating the huge tasks that await Orkney’s swimmers
in July.
She continued: “It is a small team that is going to have to
work hard. You are allowed to take 12 competitors, but obviously
it is difficult to get that number of people to commit.
“It’s not just a case of going to the games for a week,
we have been preparing for months now so it is a big undertaking
that the competitors have to make.
“The boys have been entered into most of the events, but with
the girls, there are only four of them, so we have to be careful
when we select the events to represent them in.”
Orkney will be gambling on some of the county’s youngsters
to do the business in Shetland.
Amongst all the fresh-faced teenagers though, is team veteran,
Jimmy Poke, who has the benefit of island games’ experience.
He also said he is pleased with the way preparations have unfolded
so far.
“I think the preparations are going reasonably well,”
said Jimmy.
“I would say that the whole team is working really hard and
I’m sure they will be giving it their very best.
“Obviously, a lot of work is needed to compete in the swimming
event, it takes up a lot of energy -you are swimming a lot so you
have to be committed.”
Jimmy, who went to the event eight-years ago, said he is looking
forward to making his second -and last -appearance in the games.
He continued: “I went to the island games in 1997 when it
was held in Jersey, it was absolutely fantastic, everything I have
done in swimming is nothing compared to it and it is certainly the
best event that I have been involved in.
“The standard is massive, some of the swimmers who will be
hoping to win will be swimming at Commonwealth standard.
“It will be my last chance of competing in something as big
as this. Contrary to what one newspaper reported, I am actually
38, not 39, nevertheless it will be my last one so I will be trying
to make the most of this.
“I haven’t lost a lot of speed over the years in the
short distances, if I can get my fitness up a bit more, I will hope
to do well. I just want to go up there and do my best.
“I would like to think I could maybe get into the final of
the 50m freestyle, that is if I do my very best.
“I’ll be racing against boys aged between 17 and 20 who
are fit and in their prime -they’ll probably look at someone
my age and laugh.
“It’s all good fun though, some people will be taking
it extremely seriously but I think experiences like these are about
enjoying them and just doing your best.
“I’m really looking forward to it and I’m sure the
old boy can still give them a fright!”
In contrast, this year’s island games may come too soon for
some of the talented youngsters. The experience though, can only
benefit the county’s talent in the long run.
Sarah said that she hopes the swimmers can go out and give a good
account of themselves.
She said: “Basically, I am just looking for them to swim as
well as they possibly can.
“It would be nice to get in as many finals as possible but
really they would have to pull it out of the bag -that’s not
to say they can’t do it though.
“We have selected our swimmers from those who have done consistently
well over the last year.
“They are all keen to represent Orkney and they deserve to
do well for all the work they have put in.” Swimming is one
of the six sports that will take place in Lerwick’s Clickimin
Leisure Complex.
Joining them in the pool will be about 200 competitors from 16
of the member islands.
Unsurprisingly, it’s the Channel Isles outfits that make the
running in this event.
In 2003, Jersey won gold, to name but a few, in the mixed 8x50m
freestyle relay, the 4x100m medley relay and the 4x100m freestyle
relay.
Like the preparations required to compete in such an event, the
schedule that awaits Orkney’s swimmers is gruelling.
The opening Saturday and Sunday have been designated as training
days. Following an opening day swimming ceremony on the Monday morning,
the event will burst straight into action with a mixture of individual
and relay competitions taking place through to the Thursday.
Women’s team: Niamh Delaney, Gemma Rendall, Dawn Wood, Tina
Wood.
Men’s team: Jim Cooke, Ben Delaney, Robert Morris, Bobby Oag,
Jimmy Poke, Bryce Sutherland.
Team manager: Derek Allen.
Team coach: Sarah Taylor.
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