Page 21 - link magazine

RECREATION 21
Calling cricketers Ladies hockey, an up and coming sport
A local Cricket Club is looking for new members who live in West Swindon.
Purton will soon start its 170th season at its ground in Purton village and
is keen to attract players, umpires or anybody who can help with scoring.
The dub runs a first and second XI on both Saturday and Sunday, playing
in the premier division of the Wiltshire League. For youngsters learning the
game, there's an under 13 team coached by senior members of the dub.
Practice sessions for the new season start soon. Anybody who would like
to find out more about the dub can call the captain, Robert Preddy on 770034.

Olympic sights
Two youngsters from Freshbrook School have set their aim on reaching the
1996 Olympic Games in Athens.
David Kerby, 10, and Elizabeth
Watts, 11, are swimmers with the
Thamesdown Tigersharks swimming
based at Milton Road baths. Their
performances recentlyhave won them An ice hockey squad based at the everybody is working really hard to
adutch of medals and trophies, whilst Link Centre is looking for both a improve their skilic. We have great
their times have improved with every sponsor and a name. team spirit with everybody helping
competition they enter. The ladies ice hockey team was each other".
Both compete in under Ii's formed 10 months ago and such is the The team is hoping to find a sponsor
competitions with Elizabeth enthusiasm that they're now looking to help with some of the costs of
swimming breastroke and David in to enter a team in a league with teams entering the league. Buying shirts,
thebutterfly. Recently they both came from other rinks around the country. socks and sticks plus paying for travel
third in their stroke in the Wiltshire Ice hockey for most people is the and referees all amounts to around
County Championships, David rough, tough game seen at Swindon £2,000. In return, the team has a
Wildcat matches or on television. But number of advertising deals on offer
swimming against others a year older. there is also a recreational game as well as using a name which ties in
They have also achieved qualifying played by both men and women with the sponsors.
times for the Western Counties explains team manager and assistant Companies who would like to
Championships to be held in Bristol captain Gail Martin. 'Playing non- associate themselves with the team
in May. contact hockey is really enjoyable. can contact Gail at Link Centre
Improvements in swimming comes David and Elizabeth with a few There's speed, competition and it reception. Ladies who would like a
with training hard and long, but the trophies and their supportive mothers requires coordination. So far we've try ice hockey should have reached
youngsters enjoy it. The Tigersharks played games against the men and grade 8 skating standard and should
practice on four sessions a week, Become a our standard is improving fast. call Gail Martin on87l2l2. The squad
including Monday mornings from "Anybody who wants to try it out trains in the Link rink at the
6a.m. to7.30p.m. At present Elizabeth Tigershark doesn't have to be big. The ages on wonderfully unsociable hours of
and David swim 18,000 metresa week, the squad range from 13 to 35 and 10.30p.m to midnight on a Sunday.
around 11 miles, in practice. The Thamesdown Tigersharks
"It's easy," is David's comment. "1 swimming club provides com-
want to get to the Olympic games in prehensive training for beginners
Athens in six years time." through to national level competitors
It seems harder for the parents who and is currently Wiltshire's top team.
take their children to the practice It is also one the top six clubs in the
sessions. "It's strenuous for us sitting West of England.
and watching them at work," said The dub is sponsored by British
David's mother Elaine Kerby of Telecom and has vacancies for
Loughborough Close, Grange Park beginners and improvers aged 5 toll
Elizabeth's mum Lisa Watts, from years old. Lessons are held at Milton
Godolphin close, says her daughter is Road swimming baths on Sundays Your New Calor Gas
at her best in the early morning. between 3p.m. and 5p.m. at a cost of
"They're never satisfied with their £7.50 for 10 twenty minute lessons. Main Dealer in Swindon
performances, even if they've just put An initial lesson is given free of
in a best time. They constantly charge and once the course is Hotline: (0793) 613391
encourage each other to do better." completed, swimmers can start
With so much dedication and training with a competition squad for
improving times, David and Elizabeth their age group if they are interested. 24 hour telephone
will surely be seen in bigger For more information telephone
competitions in years to come. Steve Smith on 820200. ordering service
First Tigershark Collections from our Depot at Bridgend Road
swimmer of the year
Gareth Meardon from Babington Showroom at
Park, Grange Park was the first 14, The Orbit Centre
youngster to learn how to swim with
the Tigersharks during 1990. The Ashworth Road
seven year old pu pilwho attends Salt Great Western Way,
Way School was presented with a
British Telecom sports bag and Gold Swindon
Cup swimwear by club secretary
Mark Hanley (left) and chief coach Displays of Fixed gas fires,
David Lyles. Gareth was coached by
Kieth Williams who also lives in mobile cabinet heaters
Grange Park. and miscellaneous
Every twentieth youngster who
learns to swim with the club with Color appliances
receive a similar award.