Brothers' sole goal is nationals success
by James Bright SWIMMING starlets from Goole are targeting success in next year's National Championships.
Fish brothers Oliver (13) and Lewis (11) of Hook Road, moved from the City of Leeds swimming club to the Kingston Upon Hull club earlier this month to ease their parents' travelling schedule.
And the season's aim for both boys, who attend Vermuyden School, is to qualify for the national championships at Ponds Forge in Sheffield next July/August - a competition where the elite of the UK's youngsters turn up to try to win a medal.
Mother Mandy said: "Oliver and Lewis are doing really well at the moment.
"You start qualifying through the year to make the nationals by swimming a set time and it is what everyone is aiming for. This is all they train for.
"It is the main event, although there are others like the Yorkshire championship."
She added that the pair follow in the wake of elder brother Jordan (16) who was national swimming champion for three years and attended a school of excellence in the sport.
He has now stopped swimming because he is studying at John Leggot College, after receiving 11 As and 2 Bs in his GCSEs at Vermuyden School, leaving him unable to get back in time to train.
At this year's national, Oliver was a reserve finalist, after finishing just outside of the top ten fastest swimmers.
But he has recently been chosen to swim for Yorkshire in the Inter County meet at Ponds Forge on October 22 and is awaiting confirmation for which event he will compete in.
Lewis missed the national championships by 0.2 of a second.
The boys' training schedule would put most people off the sport, with Oliver doing seven to eight sessions a week and Lewis six.
Each session lasts two hours in the pool and land training an hour, with occasional starts as early as 4am.
And if that is not punishing enough Oliver even plays for Parkside Raiders football team on Sundays.
Mandy added: "They go into each race to win and they are very competitive.
"It is not just a hobby with all the training they have to do. It is a sport they compete at and enjoy it."
Oliver will be competing in the Yorkshire championships next month and Lewis in the Speedo League.
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Weather for Goole
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy snow
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
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