New look, successful season for Dolphins

The 2008 summer swim season has just drawn to a close, but already there have been talks and thoughts expressed on what will happen next year.

"We've had a very successful year and now's the time to build on that," says Michele Shears-Rumbolt, volunteer manager of the St. Anthony Dolphins.

"We have a lot of goals for 2009 and one of them is to increase participation," she points out. "We want to get the word out that swimming takes commitment and training, but that it's fun, healthy and enjoyable."

The Dolphins, which had a membership of 42 swimmers ranging in age from 7 to 16, came together last week for a final swim at the Olympia Swimming Pool and a celebratory banquet in the Hall of Fame Room. Swimmers formally received medallions and ribbons for their top finishes at last month's provincial swimming championships in Gander.

There were many notable performances turned in by team members, but the one achievement that everyone shared in was the selection of the St. Anthony Dolphins as the most improved team at the meet.

"That meant a lot, it really did," notes Ms. Shears-Rumbolt. "Many of our swimmers worked hard to improve their times. One example is Jack Decker, who took 10 seconds off the time in the 50 metre freestyle between the meet in Baie Verte and the provincials in Gander."

Swimming is an individual sport, but she says swimmers become better when they're part of a team effort where older members counsel and guide their younger teammates.

"These older kids are role models for the young kids, who look up to them," she states. "There's a real team atmosphere. The kids are so supportive of each other."

This year's Dolphins team has a new look - their suits are black and they have a new emblem. The team has a large banner, which was supported by contributions from the business community in the St. Anthony area. In addition, Speedo, the swimwear company, provided support in the way of significant discounts.

For the first time a parents' committee was formed to solicit support from the business community and to provide help in other ways for Ms. Shears-Rumbolt and the team's treasurer, Mike Green. Members of the parents' committee are Jacinta Casey, Michelle Green, Rona O'Rielly and Bonnie Decker.

Ms. Shears-Rumbolt says the team is grateful to the team's coaches, Krista Howell, Brianna Johnson and Jason Hynes, and the Dolphins acknowledge the support and co-operation they have received from the staff of the St. Anthony Recreation Department.

Looking ahead, the team manager says she's hopeful that a new swimming pool is part of the town's plans in its pursuit of a regional civic centre.

"We have a lot of good swimmers but we're limited by our short season and our facilities," she points out. "What could we do if we had a year-round pool?"

In the short-term, the team is looking at bringing a coach to St. Anthony to help the swimmers improve their stroke and turn. There are thoughts on having a nutritionist work with the swimmers, and there's the overall objective of increasing participation.

"We'd like to encourage more youths out there to come out and see what it's all about," says Ms. Shears-Rumbolt. "Swimming teaches them about strength, skill, endurance, fitness and teamwork."

Results from the provincials in Gander are as follows:

- Megan Bennett - First in girls' 13-14 50m backstroke; third in girls' 13-14 50m individual medley; and sixth in girls' 13-14 50m freestyle.

- Zach Blake - Third in boys' 11-12 50m freestyle.

- Jonathan Hillier - Fifth in boys' 15-16 100m breaststroke; and fifth in boys' 15-16 100m backstroke.

- Sarah Blake - Fourth in girls' 15-16 100m backstroke; and fifth in girls' 15-16 100m freestyle.

- Kent Davis - Sixth in boys' 15-16 100m freestyle.

- Kaylie Decker - Third in girls' 11-12 50m breaststroke.

- Karley Slade - Third in girls' 11-12 50m backstroke.

- Kelly Pittman - Sixth in girls' 11-12 50m backstroke.

- Andrew Rumbolt - Fourth in boys' 13-14 50m freestyle; fourth in boys' 13-14 50m backstroke; and fourth in boys' 13-14 50m butterfly.

- Alana Simms - Fourth in girls' 15-16 50m butterfly.

- Katie Rumbolt, Megan Bennett, Frankie Slade and Sarah Blake - Third in girls' 15-16 200m freestyle relay.

- Karley Slade, Sunny Vatturi, Kelly Pittman and Kaylie Decker - Fifth in girls' 11-12 200m individual medley.

- Nive Vara, Adrian Ward and Angela Cronhelm - Under 8 medal winners.