Mid Sussex Marlins swimming club welcome Mai Alland (16) attending Lewis college and Matt Gibson (15) Chailey School as seniors captains and Claire Shaw (14) and Nick Rawbin (13) both Warden Park as junior  captains. Apart from leading team Marlins at the various galas all see the major responsibility is helping out at the Junior internal club galas, giving advice to the younger swimmers and as Mai suggests 'mentoring team mates during the punishing season of training and competitions '.  These guys have a wealth of experience in this area and will be looking to be the focal points when Marlins go into battle at home and away.

 

All four see a huge potential in the club at the teaching group levels.  Nick feels that these youngsters should be encouraged to enter competitive swimming at an earlier stage and Claire suggests the club should 'bridge the gap' between the age groups in terms of gala preparation and team spirit.  They all feel that there should be more pre gala team talks and get together's prior to major events.   Ultimately, Mai is looking for the club to progress greater numbers of swimmers through to National Level.

 

Smiles all break out at the mention of the upcoming Warm Weather Training trip to Tenerife for 30 Marlins in April.  All are looking forward to the trip but as Matt points out 'its not a holiday as head coach Beth Ross is insisting on each person swimming a minimum of 50kms in 5 days !!'     Talking in terms of International travel all of them would like to start discussing the possibility of another major Marlins tour possible to North America in 2013.  Committee and parents take note. 

 

Mai, a 50m specialist and self confessed swimming 'geek', is looking forward to the British Champs (end of March) where she holds 'an outside chance' of making the GB Delhi bound Commonwealth Games team.  Nick, a National level triathalete, is looking forward to the hurly burly of the National Swimming League (Autumn 2010).  Claire, who is into music and dance is looking to forward to competing in the upcoming County Champs while Royal Marine hopeful Matt hopes to progress to the National stage in July.

 

Both Matt and Mai have recently stepped up to the plate in spectacular style by taking the T30 club records. Matt swimming 2,545 meters and Mai 2,384 meters.  That's over 100 lengths in 30 mins which is simply breath taking.