Swim & Tri Academy – A Growing Success!


The Swim & Tri Academy started last year on the back of the increasingly popular Swimming and Triathlons in Derry. When setting up the Academy, we quickly learnt that St Mary’s was the first school in Derry and all of Ireland to have a specialised club! Our aim for the Academy is to increase participation from school and have St Mary’s College represented at Local and National events.  To date, this has been achieved as we now have an established club of both Swimmers and Triathletes who are and have been taking part in events up and down the Country! We have had great support from the pupil’s parents, the community and local sports clubs throughout the City of Derry.  We have been able to use industry knowledge to develop a platform for our pupil’s which has pushed the performance of Swimmers and Triathletes to represent the City of Derry SC and North West Junior TC. During the Summer, Gerard Curran (Swim & Tri Academy Coach) met Michael Black at the Launch of Triathlon Ireland ‘TriHeroes’.  The aim of ‘TriHeroes’ is to deliver triathlon activities to pupils whilst supporting the needs of school, delivering necessary Physical Education progression for all pupils. At the end of the course, each pupil has the opportunity to participate in a Mini-Triathlon, giving them a sense of achievement and allowing them participate in a safe and positive environment.  St Mary’s thought that this was a fantastic idea and adequate timing for what we have set up in school. At the Launch of Triathlon Ireland ‘TriHeroes’, Michaela Black commented on a School in the North who had set up their own Swimming and Triathlon Academy – little did he know it was St Mary’s College! To date, we have 30 pupils signed up for the ‘Triheroes’ six week program which has been a great success, boosting pupils performance and self-esteem. St Mary’s have had the excellent opportunity visiting and access the 21st century fitness suite at Performance Swim Bike Run (PSBR), owned by local, Brendan O’ Connor.  Until now, only those at the elite and competing level had access to these facilities, which was a considerable distance to travel.  Congratulations, Brendan! At PSBR, the equipment pupils have been using includes Watt bikes, which enables our Triathletes apply Science to their performance.  The Watt bikes have been proven to maximise performance gain and are used by International cycling teams across the world. For our Swimmers, the facilities at PSBR are absolutely outstanding!  Pupils have been able to use the endless swimming pool.  The 21st century swimming pool is equipped with a video analysis system that enables them to review their performance and improve their swimming technique and development. So what is next for St Mary’s College Swim and Tri Academy?  Pupils and Staff will head off to Bangor this Saturday and Sunday to compete in the Ulster School Championships and Cup.  St Mary’s have a record entry this year with eight pupils participating! The team participating in the Ulster School Championship and Cup consists of five Year 8 and three Year 9 pupils. This is an extremely exciting opportunity for the pupils to participate in the impressive 50m Championship pool – Best of luck!   This entry was Articleed in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.