Creating a Splash! Swimming for Success at 5th Annual Trust Gala 

On the 2nd December 2025, over 200 pupils across years 7 to 10 from our 9 secondary schools came together. They met at one of the few Olympic length swimming pools in the country, at the UEA Sportspark for our fifth annual swimming gala. Pupils competed in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly individual races, as well as freestyle and medley team relays. 

The gala ran smoothly with Year 7 and 8 going head-to-head in the Junior competition in the morning, with the Year 9 and 10 Senior competition taking to the pool in the afternoon. 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!

Across over 100 races, Swimmers could score points for their schools, 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. All our athletes embodied the values of our Trust, pupils were encouraged 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 Swimming Club to support your annual Inspiration Trust swimming gala. It was the best swimming gala so far - fantastic swimming, students fully engaged in the whole day / experience, outstanding support and atmosphere from the students and staff in the balcony. We loved it!’ 

Paul Wayman Jackson, Trust Sports Coordinator, said: 

“The FIFTH Inspiration Trust swimming gala has been a huge triumph for all involved. It gave me great joy to see pupils from across our 9 secondary schools compete with both determination and exceptional team spirit. The fan engagement element is going from strength to strength created a respectful and highly-competitive feel to the event. 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. These swimmers represented their school in the 50m Freestyle Final and were selected by G. Greenhalf, who both swims for City of Norwich Swimming Club and competed in the Olympic trials prior to Paris 2024: 

Y7 Boys: Jack T (Wayland) 

Y7 Girls: Pippa K (GYCA) 

Y8 Boys: Jake T (Hethersett) 

Y8 Girls: Imogen P (Wayland) 

Y9 Boys: Cruze J (Thetford) 

Y9 Girls: Ruby O (GYCA) 

Y10 Boys: Finley S (Thetford) 

Y10 Girls: Defne S (Jane Austen)