Willow Sharks Swimming

Who are the Willow Sharks?

The Sharks are Willow Park's competitive swim squad trained by accomplished head coach Jonathan Preston. The Sharks swim team represent their school at numerous galas and meets throughout the year as well as the Leinster and Irish Schools' Minor Championships. The Sharks are divided into 3 squads:

Senior

Junior

Development

There are currently 70 Sharks training in total 5 mornings a week in either the Willow or Blackrock college pool.

The Willow Sharks are well known on the swim circuit and achieve top places at regional and national level. Congratulations to our 12&U Free & Medley and 10&U Free relay teams who achieved gold at the recent Leinster Schools Championships on 21st Oct 2018! Well done also to all Sharks who qualified in individual events for the Irish Minor Schools next February! Go Sharks!

The Sharks currently hold the Leinster Schools' relay records for freestyle and medley at both 12&U and 10&U.

The Sharks have yet to lose their own swim gala Duel in the Pool which was held in the Blackrock College pool on Wednesday 17th October 2018. Over 130 boys competed in this gala and the school was delighted to welcome newcomers from the North RBAI and Inchmarlo as well as local schools St Mary's, St Michael's and KPS. Congratulations to ALL Sharks who yet again retained their title at the Duel in the Pool.

Many Sharks go on to achieve great personal success as swimmers representing Leinster and last year we had our first Shark Youth Olympian, Ethan Murtagh.

How do I join the Sharks?

Boys from age of 8 who would like to join the Sharks must attend a swim trial. Keep an eye on Willow's Flexibuzz for details of the next trial. Boys need to have good stroke technique as well as able to swim 25m in three out of the four strokes, freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly.

How do I make the Sharks Swim team?

The Sharks team is selected from the Senior and Junior Squad.

Boys must be 2 seconds off the Schools' Leinster Division times in their age group to progress into the Senior or Junior Squad.

Where and when do the Sharks train?

Senior Squad 7-8am Mon, Wed & Fri, Blackrock College pool

Junior Squad, 7.15-8am Tues & Thurs, Willow Pool.

Development Squad 7.15-8am EITHER Tues or Thurs, Willow Pool

NOTE: The start times are when the boys enter the water so boys need to arrive 15mins earlier in time to change. It is important that the boys are punctual.

Is there a cost?

The cost for the academic year is 100eu for Sen & Jun squads and 50eu for Dev.

Gear & Earn Your Stripes Assessment

The Sharks have a crested Willow Jammer available from Uniformity. Swim team hoodies, white racing hats and Willow swim t-shirts can be ordered through Helle Moyna. Please note, the boys are only allowed to wear their swim hoodies at school swim events and not as uniform.

The Sharks have now adopted a new 'Earn Your Stripes' programme. Boys will be assessed and receive a colour coded swim cap for training. As boys progress, they will receive a different coloured hat. The order of the hats is red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple and black. Boys will also receive a logbook which will be kept poolside for progress reports and feedback from the coaches.

Dates for your 2018/2019 diary:

Duel in the Pool: Wednesday 17th October 2018 Blackrock College Pool

Leinster Minor Schools Championships: Sunday, October 21st, 2018 at the NAC

Irish Minor Schools Championships: 10th February 2019

AIJS Swim Gala: Blackrock College Pool Date tbc

Willow v Dulwich Swim Meet - Willow Cup: date tbc

Willow Park Swim Committee

Head Coach: Jonathan Preston

Chairperson: Amanda Collins amandacollins@hotmail.com

Vice Chair: Helle Moyna helle@nordicelements.com

Sec: Fiona McShane mcshanefiona@outlook.com

Treasurer/Children's Welfare Officer Janet Healy onejanet@hotmail.com