Making Waves - Inspiration Trust Schools Swim to Success at Annual Trust Gala

On the 26th of November 2024, 216 pupils across years 7 to 10 from our 9 secondary schools attended one of the few Olympic size swimming pools in the country at the UEA Sportspark for the Inspiration Trust’s fourth annual swimming gala. Pupils competed in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly individual races, as well as freestyle and medley team relays. 

The morning saw swimmers from Year 7 and 8 go head-to-head in the Junior competition, with Year 9 and 10 pupils taking to the pool in the afternoon for the Senior competition. Swimmers of all experiences were given the opportunity to compete, from experienced club swimmers to students competing in their first ever gala. The fastest swimmers in each category progressed through to compete in the 50m freestyle grand final!  

Swimmers could score points for their schools in over 100 races across the day, including individual events and team relays, as well as in our new look ‘fan engagement’ competition, rewarding schools with a maximum of 3 points for displaying school colours and banners/posters, showing team spirit, and cheering on fellow swimmers and competitors in the pool. The new initiative was a hit, as students were enthusiastic, and supported their teammates in a variety of way across all the races, showing amazing team chemistry and pride in the accomplishments of their schoolmates. This embodied the values of the Trust, encouraging pupils to demonstrate sporting values such as determination and pupils taking pride in representing their academy. 

Representatives from the City of Norwich Swimming Club ensured a thrilling competition by supplying officials and facilitating a smooth flow of races. Their provision of experienced referees, starters and chief timekeeper helped to make this event enjoyable for students and staff alike and is sure to help draw young people from across the Trust into swimming for a club recreationally or competitively. 

Alex Pinniger, City of Norwich Swimming Club Head Coach, said: 

’Thank you very much for inviting City of Norwich to assist with the annual Inspiration Trust swimming gala. It is fantastic to see a trust investing in school sport benefitting the health, wellbeing and experience of all of their pupils. The swimmers put their heart and soul into the competition. It was a great event, and we look forward to supporting future events' 

Paul Wayman Jackson, Trust Sports Coordinator, said: 

“The 2024 Trust swimming gala has been a massive success. I was proud to see pupils from across our 9 secondary schools compete with both determination and exceptional team spirit. Our new fan engagement competition meant students could score points for their school even when they weren’t swimming, leading to fantastic poolside and viewing balcony engagement, and creating a brilliant atmosphere. We must thank our wonderful School PE staff, who efficiently organised their swim teams and encouraging pupil engagement on the day, as well as helping plan unique ways of scoring fan engagement points.  

Working with Alex and the City of Norwich Swimming Club team gives our Trust Swimming Gala a professional feel, and contributes to pupils engaging with, and showing an interest in joining swimming clubs in their local area. Thank you also to UEA Sportspark staff, who aided us in hosting this fantastic event and demonstrated what a high-quality facility they operate.  

This event is a great opportunity for us to demonstrate one of our Trust Sporting goals in raising the future generation of Sports Leaders, this time involving students from Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form, King Edward VII and Thomas Paine, who ensured the smooth running of the day through supporting crucial jobs such as time keeping, scorekeepers and team management roles!” 

Results table: 

A big congratulations to our Swimmers of the Gala: 

Y7 Boys: Jake (Hethersett) 

Y7 Girls: Imogen (Wayland) 

Y8 Boys: Alex (Hethersett) 

Y8 Girls: Ruby (Great Yarmouth) 

Y9 Boys: Tom (Hethersett) 

Y9 Girls: Dafne (Jane Austen) 

Y10 Boys: Thomas (Hethersett) 

Y10 Girls: Olivia (Hethersett)