The increasing vibrancy of the youth development program within the Bahamas Swimming Federation (BSF) is manifested by the advancement of Joanna Evans, Margaret Higgs Albury, Alec Sands, Victoria Russell and that ilk. One gets the feeling that the national swimming program is building into something really fantastic. The BSF has its challenges of course, but the focus of President Algernon Cargill and his team is on building a strong youth base.
In keeping with their philosophy the BSF has accepted an invitation to have two young swimmers attend the First FINA Doha 2014 Youth Program in Doha, Qatar.
Traveling to Doha with Sands and Russell will be by Coach Andy Knowles. Cargill will represent the national swimming movement at the FINA Congress and the FINA Aquatics Convention.
How did Sands and Russell emerge out of the large volume of active young swimmers?
In a statement, Cargill explained: "The BSF has chosen swimmers Alec Sands and Victoria Russell, based on both swimmers having the highest FINA points in their events, ranking them as the top male and female athletes in their age group (14-15 year-olds). Both are in the Swift Swimming club. Alec had the highest points for the 1,500 meters free and Victoria for the 50 meters breaststroke.
"The goals of the program are to inspire and motivate the young swimmers to become stars of tomorrow, to promote communication and friendship among the participants and to provide an overview of the latest training trends and techniques."
The Youth Program, the FINA Congress and Aquatics Convention are all taking place in conjunction with the FINA World Short Course Championships (December 3-7). To that end, Sands and Russell will observe members of the national team competing in the event. Slated to be swimming in Doha for The Bahamas, are Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace, Evans, Ariel Weech and Vereance Burrows. With the team are coaches Andy Loveitt and Travano McPhee.
Four years ago at the 2010 World Short Course Championships, Vanderpool Wallace won a bronze medal in the 50 meters freestyle. Fresh off a four- gold medal performance at the 22nd Central American and Caribbean Championships, Vanderpool-Wallace is expected to do quite well in Doha.
Evans who won two silver medals at the CAC Games in Veracruz, Mexico a week ago, and the others will be on the lookout for short course medals of their very own.
This is indeed a refreshing period for Bahamian swimming.
Best wishes for the Bahamas Delegation!

o To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian