Simchat Hamayim 2008
Simchat Hamayim Swimming Gala 2008
22nd June 2008, Barnet Copthall
On Sunday Maccabi GB, in partnership with UJIA, held their annual Simchat Hamayim Swimming Gala. This year eight schools including Sinai, Rosh Pinah, MMK, Kerem, Independent, Wolfson Hillel, Akiva and North West all packed out the stands at Barnet Copthall Swimming Pool to take part in the event. Each school brought a squad consisting of both boys and girls aged between eight and eleven years old. In total there were over 200 children taking part in the event and a further 200 proud parents and friends watching in the stands around the pool.
As in years gone by, Pentland PLC sponsored the event and the swimmers all looked professional in their colour coordinated hats. The schools were all designated a specific area of the poolside and the atmosphere was great as each school showed off their banners and flags made especially for the day.
The afternoon’s events included two relay races, as well as breast stroke, front crawl and backstroke. Each race was keenly contested, and the young swimmers gave their all as they were cheered on from the side. This year’s event had the bonus of the automatic electronic scoreboard so everyone could see the results as they happened.
Throughout the event three schools were occupying the top three spots and the excitement intensified as we reached the climax to the afternoon and the six by one relays. The contest was extremely close and was eventually won by Kerem School.
After the races were finished, it was time to announce the various winners of the awards. They were as follows;
Best Sporting Effort – Georgina Cass & Zachary Feld from MMK
Winning Small School – North West
Winning Girls Team – North West
Winning Boys Team – Rosh Pinah
Overall Winning Team – Kerem School
Maccabi GB’s School sports coordinator Matt Travers said, ‘The event would not be possible without the dedication of the people who give up their time to help out with the day. Our reliable team of time keepers and helpers, headed up by Alan Stern making all the announcements for each race, and David Tomback who started each race ensures the smooth running of the day. The afternoon was a great showcase for Jewish Sports, and it was pleasing to see so many young people participating in a swimming event.’
Attention now turns to the next Maccabi GB event, which is the Primary Schools Track and Field day taking place at Barnet Copthall on Tuesday 7th July
To view photos of the day click here