Sliema ASC coaches proud as team land third successive swimming title

Sliema ASC BMIT Technologies swimmers have claimed the National Championship for a third successive year.

This was the first time in the history of the club to retain the title for three consecutive years.

With some fine performances from swimmers of all age groups, the Sliema swimmers won 108 medals including 50 gold, 25 silver and 33 bronze with many personal bests recorded along the way.

Some also established new national and age group records during the championship.

Dylan Cachia broke the 1,500m Freestyle and the 200 Backstroke national record, Thomas Wearing set a new national benchmark in the 100m backstroke twice, first in the 100m final and after that in the relay, while in the younger age groups Ella Fenech Attard broke the national age group record of the 400m freestyle.

With these eye-catching displays and a great team of athletes and coaches, Sliema have secured yet another year as swimming champions.

The team is led by head coach Francesca Paolella and Jeffrey Galea together with other club coaches running both the winter and summer school. Backed up by an administrative team led by Kevin Casaru to support the process.

Paolella spoke about her honour of having her team once again at the helm of Malta’s swimming sector.

“I am proud and honoured to have won the championship for the third year in a row. This comes after years of steadily building up the club. We hope to continue this route and build further,” Paolella said.

Meanwhile technical coach Jeffrey Galea thanked the club for the opportunity of coaching such great athletes.

“I would like to show my gratitude to all the swimmers for their efforts over the past two seasons with its challenges, without you none of this would be possible,” he said.

Galea said it took years of hard work and determination to reach this goal, “with the Sliema coaching staff working relentlessly at the pool and behind closed doors. Special thanks go to the national team coach Delon Dannhauser who works hard with our top athletes on a daily basis.”

Looking ahead Galea said: “We aim to start competing more and hope that the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta, the Maltese Olympic Committee and national sports body recognise and support further the clubs’ local success and support us further to raise Maltese swimming standards internationally.”