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Merseyside Police offered a very warm welcome to Liverpool for competitors in the 2018 PSUK Swimming & Water Polo Championships. The host force did a fantastic job providing accommodation at the infamous Adelphi hotel and creating a great friendly competitive atmosphere at the pool. Positive feedback has been received across the board.
Representing West Midlands were:
Brian Steatham, Nigel Gaskin, Sara Gamble, Nick Burrows, Carl Smith, Craig Trevis, Liane Andrews, Lisa Rushton, Alison Willis & Claire Thorn
Steatham returned after having several years out of the water but this didn’t reflect in the results … he won both the Men’s 50 & 100m freestyle making him the fastest cop in the country. Gamble dominated the women’s breastroke events winning both the 100 & 200m events. Thorn took gold in the 400m freestyle and added silver medals in both the 200m freestyle and breastroke and bronze in the 100 breastroke. Gaskin picked up silvers in the 400m freestyle and both 200 individual medley and breastroke and a bronze in the 200m freestyle.
West Midlands continued their successes in the masters events ……
Liane Andrews won the 40-44 years 50m breastroke & backstroke and was second in the freestyle and fly events; Craig Trevis won the 40-44 years backstroke & breastroke and was second in the freestyle. Steatham won the 35-39 freestyle & was second in the fly and Gamble won the 30-34 years breastroke, also taking second in the backstroke. Thorn won the 45-49 years breastroke & freestyle events
With the introduction of the mixed relay events the sessions were very tiring however, West Midlands made podium places in all 10 relay events. They won both the mixed freestyle and medley events as well as the both female over 160 years events.
In water polo, despite being low on numbers the West Midlands team managed to win 3 out of their 5 games – including defeating defending champions Police Scotland. Unfortunately the team came up just short against the Met and eventual winners the North West region in a closely fought tournament. Once again Carl Smith and Nick Burrows were selected to represent the British Police team for events throughout the year.
Burrows was also honored with a PSUK Award of Excellence for services to Water Polo, having competed in 31 consecutive championships, representing the national team for many years and being a member of the Aquatic section national committee. This is the highest Award possible in police sport and well deserved.
A well organised community based relay took place involving local swimming clubs and police swimmers.
The finale event was the very close and exciting skins; from 8 swimmers to 1 in a matter of minutes which saw both Gamble and Steatham come runners up.
Thorn won the top overall Open female and the top overall Open male swimmer was Gaskin.
Selected to represent the PSUK swimming team in the forthcoming 12 months were: Gamble, Steatham, Gaskin and Thorn.