In an exciting development for aspiring swimmers, the Northumberland and Durham Development Programme is set to kick off its first Face to Face camp at the Sunderland Aquatics Centre on December 2nd, 2023. Headed by esteemed coach Katy Batley of Alnwick Dolphins, the camp boasts an impressive lineup of skills coaches and team managers.
The skills coaching team includes Chris Philpott (Peterlee), Craig Wilson (BOSSS), Michelle Laverick (Middlesbrough), Dan Firbank (Borocuda), and Adrian Holmes-Morris (Durham City). Team Managers Ian Dale (North Tyneside) and Jane Dillworth (Richmondales) will be overseeing the management aspects of the camp.
This season, the camps are integrated into the Northumberland and Durham Development Programme, offering young swimmers a unique opportunity to enhance their skills and physical literacy. The key objectives include developing fundamental movement skills, honing core aquatic skills, and advancing technical proficiency in all four competitive strokes.
The camps will also focus on fostering awareness of Swim England’s culture and talent programs, aligning with the Optimal Athlete Development Framework (OADF) for the ‘Development’ stage. Swimmers will have the chance to collaborate with different coaches and experience training in diverse aquatic environments, contributing to a well-rounded developmental experience.
The selected athletes for this camp, all in the 12-year-old age group as of December 31, 2023, are as follows:
Boys:
- Archie McGuire (Co Sunderland)
- Ethan Reddivari (Middlesboro)
- Jacob Nixon (Middlesboro)
- Daniel Patience (Morpeth)
- Lewis Renney (North Tyne)
- Tom Holt (Co Sunderland)
- Benjamin Juszcak (Derwentside)
- Thomas Hill (Newcastle)
- Harry Willis (Newcastle)
- Joe Johnson (Durham City)
- Finley McAuley (Durham City)
- Claude Davies (Newcastle)
- Andrew Batley (Alnwick Dolphins)
- Wilf Beale (Durham City)
- Hari Diddee (Tynemouth)
- Stephen Gittins (Stokesley)
- Jack Poyser (Bo Stockton)
- Sebastien Mason (Darlington)
- Theo Cadamy (Newcastle)
Girls:
- Abby Coventry (Morpeth)
- Chloe Brotherton (South Tynes)
- Alba Kneller (Richmond Dale)
- Millie Coe (Bo Stockton)
- Lydia Shipley (Middlesboro)
- Ava James (Newcastle)
- Jessica Bell (Sedgfield)
- Lexi Todd (Loftus Dolphins)
- Phoebe Dilworth (Richmond Dale)
- Poppy Holmes-Morris (Durham City)
- Grace Conway (Derwentside)
- Macey Dixon (Loftus Dolphins)
- Emily Forster (Co Sunderland)
- Amelia Morris (Gates & Whick)
- Sophia Anderson (Tynemouth)
- Gracie-Mai Simpson (Richmond Dales)
- Charlotte Hunter (North Tyne)
This inaugural Face to Face camp promises to be a milestone in the development of these young athletes, providing them with a unique and enriching experience to propel their swimming careers forward.
The second Face to Face camp will be held at the Sunderland Aquatics Centre on Saturday 18th May 2024.
