Team Guyana leaves today for XV Annual Goodwill Swim Meet in Barbados

Aug 13, 2009 Sports

Largest contingent ever to leave these shores

Noelle Smith

Niall Roberts

By Franklin Wilson
A total of 16 swimmers, the most to ever make the qualifying times, will leave these shores to represent Guyana today for Barbados where they are confident of doing well at the XV Annual Goodwill Swimming Championships, which starts tomorrow at the Aquatic Centre, Wildey, St Michael.
The qualifying times were set for the Technical Committee of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) and were the bronze times from last year’s championships.
Daniel Scott, the baby of the team is the second 8 and under swimmer to have qualified to represent Guyana since 2006 according to Manager/Chaperon, Stephaney Fraser.
Guyana will not have any competitors in the 8 and under girls or the 9-10 girl’s and boy’s categories. The only full team (age group) the Guyanese have will be in the 13-14 and 15-17.
Travelling for the first time to represent Guyana are Jaime Jabar, Omali Dare, Daniel Scott, Sheik Amir, Travis Henry, Stephen Soares, Joseph Seguina and Athena Gaskin.
The most experienced swimmers on the team are Noelle Smith and Niall Roberts who said that in his final year at this level he is aiming to come out with a bang.
The rest of the team is Desmond Long, Henk Lowe, Steffi deNobrega, Nayira Freso, Soroya Simmons, and Britany van Lange.

Britany Van Lange

Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and ‘Guest team’ Grenada are the other countries competing.
The team manager commenting on the team said: “Even though we had so many challenges facing us with swimming and training with regards to pool and gym time, I think we are moving on and we are really, really proud to see so many swimmers for the first time going out of Guyana.”
Head coach Nicholas Fraser speaking with the media yesterday expressed confidence that the swimmers will do well in Barbados, while noting that his assistant, Christopher Mc Adam did a splendid job preparing them.
Fraser boldly stated that the ultimate goal of the team is for every swimmer to medal. “I think we are well poised for that in terms of preparation. Christopher has prepared them in my absence – when I was at the 13th FINA World Championships – and they have been prepared well.”
Finances
Secretary of GASA Dr. Karen Pilgrim reported that traditionally, the onus is on the Goodwill parents to fund the entire team when travelling overseas by equaling dividing the costs but this year, at the request of the parents, GASA has covered the costs of the officials.
The National Association also covered transportation to and from the airport and team shirts. The total budget was $3.4 million with GASA contribution just under $600,000. The cost per swimmer (including uniforms) was $144,000.
Parents provided names of potential sponsors and letters were provided by GASA. A total of 52 letters were sent out.
GASA is expressing thanks to all who contributed and said they are still open for contributions to take up the short fall of $421,000.
Following is a list of all the persons and entities who have contributed to date;
Avon Beauty & Home Systems, Two Brothers Fish Processing, Sterling Products Ltd., Noble House Seafoods, Bank of Nova Scotia, International Pharmaceutical Agency, Messrs Bernard and Adrian Fernandes, Machine Corporation of Guyana Ltd., Farfan & Mendes Ltd., New GPC Inc., Industrial Safety Supplies Inc., Ganesh Parts & General Store, NT Computeac, Gafoor’s Group of Companies, International Technical Supplies Ltd., United Commodities Inc., Curtain World & Variety Store.