Swimmers urged to emulate Bovell III

The Amateur Swimming Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ASATT) Awards ceremony held on Saturday at the Hasley Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo,  was a well-deserved pat on the back for the swimmers which distinguished Trinidad and Tobago through the course of local and international competition last year. In delivering the feature ASATT President Hazel Haynes was full of praise for the swimmers, administrators, the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee, the corporate and private citizens and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for their contributions to the association’s success last year.

Citing the performances of 200-metre world No 2 George Bovell III during the 2003 season as a  noteworthy achievement which has come out of discipline, dedication and determination, Haynes issued a challenge for all the younger athletes in ASATT’s stable to strive to emulate such traits as they represent Trinidad and Tobago in years to come. Bovell III was adjudged the most outstanding 18 and Over swimmer while fellow Olympic Games 2004 qualifier Sharntelle McLean was named most outstanding 18 and Over female swimmer. In acknowledging the rebirth of the male and female water polo teams which both placed first in the Carifta Championships in 2003, Haynes remembered Isaac Borde who passed away in January 2003 and observed a moment of silence for the fallen water polo player and sailing coach. “Water Polo is alive and growing from strength to strength” Haynes encouraged the water polo players and officials to continue this growth during the course of 2004,” she said. The president was keen to include all ASATT members and also recognised the contributions of all supporters, administrative and technical officials who were not receiving awards but without whom, she assured ASATT would not function.

Earlier awards were distributed to outstanding performers in all age groups for performances at all the regional and international levels, following is a list of the top age group swimmers for 2003 and recipients of certificates of excellence.
Outstanding Performers
8 and Under: Girls: Kimberlee John-Williams; Boys: Moriba De La Rosa
9-10: Girls: Samantha Rahael; Boys: Christian Homer
11-12: Girls: Janine Thornhill; Boys: Joel Sankar
13-14: Girls: Shannon Duval; Boys: Jules Graham
15-17: Girls: Ayiesha Collymore; Boys: Nicholas Bovell 18 and Over: Girls: Sharntelle McLean; Boys: George Bovell III

Certificates of Excellence:
Catherine Lee Ha, John Littlepage, Linda Mc Eachrane, Matthew Houllier, Shannon Duval (Pan Am Games), Ayeisha Collymore, George Bovell III, Nicholas Bovell, Sharntelle Mc Lean (World Championships, Pan Am Games).
Anil Roberts, Pan Am Games World Championships Head Coach; and George Bovell II, Pan Am Games World Championships Manager.