TT swim coach confident of CARIFTA success

TT coach Shawn Pouchet is no stranger to the CARIFTA pool deck as both a coach and an athlete is confident that the team has the firepower and the strategy to improve on the 2016 performance.

“We have an exciting mix of new talent with experienced performers.

There are some keys to success that will determine where we end up on the points table being relay performances, managing the race load of qualifiers in multiple events and ensuring as much final appearances by all qualifiers,” said Pouchet. “I am confident in the management and coaching staff in bringing the team together as that will be a prerequisite of the aforementioned factors.

“I expect the swimmers to step it up an extra notch from their performances at the recently concluded National Age Group Long Course Championships”.

The Trinidad and Tobago team will be aiming to improve on their fifth place finish from the 2016 CARIFTA meet in Martinique. A full contingent of 36 athletes was selected by the Amateur Swimming Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ASATT) and athletes were required to make a minimum standard being the median eighth place time from the last three championships.

This standard has been in place since 2012 for 11-12s, and the council of ASATT extended this to the 13-and-over age groups this year so as to give athletes maximum exposure in preparation for the 2017 CCCAN Championships in Trinidad and Tobago.

Pouchet and the management team have been successful in keeping the team focused following issues surrounding funding and the qualifying standards of the team.

“It is unfortunate when the swimmers get tossed in the middle of adult affairs. My coaching staff and team management will do our best to refocus our charges on the task at hand and ensure that they are comfortable and given the best opportunity to perform optimally.” Three weeks ago, management selected four team captains in Amira Pilgrim, Jeron Thompson, Justin Samlalsingh and Racine Ross.

Pilgrim, who has represented TT since the 10-and-under age groups, was especially excited at this her last CARIFTA.

“I am very excited to compete in my last CARIFTA,” said Pilgrim.

“This journey has started since I was the age of 12 and I won’t say it is complete but rather continued on to greater and bigger things. I am honoured to be the captain of this CARIFTA team and as I lead the way for my fellow teammates, we would be victorious in our endeavors.

I expect great things from the team as we are a strong unit and we all trained hard. I congratulate everyone on making the team, best wishes to all.” Competition starts today with the 800-metre freestyle, 200m breaststroke, 50m backstroke, 100m butterfly and the 400m freestyle relay. CARIFTA is also a qualifier for the CCCAN Swimming Championships which will be held at the National Aquatic Centre in Balmain Couva from June 28 to July 2.