Bishop Anstey swimmers star at Atlantic meet

It was Bishop’s fourth consecutive win in this annual event, with 167 points overall, just gliding past rivals Point Fortin RC Primary School, who finished with an overall score of 162 points.

Capturing third place were St. Peter’s Private Primary School and Holistic Primary School.

Camille Salandy, Atlantic’s Head of Sustainability and Corporate Communications said that the swim meet encouraged young persons to engage in healthy competition and develop all-round skills, and also aimed to fasttrack the emergence of the next wave of Olympic- ready champions.

“The Atlantic Primary Schools Invitational Swim Meet has truly grown to become a significant hub for young swimmers and a well-anticipated event - not only for schools in our home community Point Fortin, but throughout Trinidad and our sister isle Tobago,” Salandy said. “At the primary school level, this swim meet joins other sporting opportunities provided by Atlantic – in swimming, football and cricket - these are all great extra-curricular activities that help develop sportsmanship, discipline and the other traits and qualities of future champions.” Wendell Lai Hing, president of the Amateur Swimming Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ASATT ) said that the Swim Meet facilitated participation from children in various parts of Trinidad and Tobago who would not have had access to such a sporting opportunity otherwise.

“I have been a part of the Atlantic Primary Schools Invitational Swim meet from day one and it has become one of the most important developments for swimming– not only for Point Fortin, but for all parts of Trinidad and even our sister isle Tobago,” Lai Hing said. “This initiative will not only promote physical wellness and build capacity, but will also ensure water safety – an imperative for children living in the Caribbean.” Forty-three schools from all around Trinidad and Tobago participated in the annual swim meet, which was also attended by Atlantic Sports Ambassador and five-time Olympian, swimmer George Bovell III, who shared pointers with the young swimmers and also congratulated the winners at the prize-giving ceremony.

The Atlantic Primary Schools Invitational Swim Meet was established in 2009 as an extension of the Atlantic Learn-to-Swim Programme, a community- based initiative to expose primary school children in Point Fortin to the basics of swimming.

Over time, as the potential of the community’s children was recognised, the swim meet grew from a small community event into a national event welcoming children and clubs from all over the country.