ON Saturday July 13th Barry Amateur Swimming Club held its 31st Cardiff Bay sprint meet at Cardiff International Pool.

Brian Hardwicke initiated the meet when it was known as “The RE Sprint Meet” and held at the Cogan Pool in Penarth over a week end in July.

The even has now become highly regarded and this year was no exception with over 400 competitors from 22 clubs as far afield as Haverfordwest, Welshpool and Cheddar taking part.

There was even one competitor from Hamilton Aquatics in Dubai.

Rowland Jones was chairman of the local area for many years before his sudden death. The Roland Jones Cup is awarded in his memory to the nine year old swimmer who gains the highest point score in the four single stroke 50m events.

The Brian Hardwicke Cup is awarded to the highest scoring 12 year old. Mr Hardwicke was chairman of the Welsh ASA for several years as well as chairman of the local area.

The winners of the Rowland Jones Cup were Isabella Hurn of Cwmbran Club and Alfie Gilligan a member of Neath Club. Owen Hughes from Monnow Club was awarded the Brian Hardwicke cup.

This year Barry took a team of 22 swimmers to the meet many achieving success in their respective age groups. Between them members won 5 gold medals, 7 silver, 15 bronze and 17 speeding tickets. Gold medals were won by Bethan Jones (freestyle), Nia Fuller (back stroke), Thomas Pugh (back stroke), Henry Davies (breast stroke) and Alfie Sargeant (butterfly).

Following the 50m sprint races in all four strokes, the top 10 girls in each age group swim in an individual medley race. Each first place winner receives a medal and a cash prize

This year 10 Barry swimmers qualified for these races including Isabella Llewewllyn, Charlie Bowmer, Alice Davies, henry Davies, Riley Dos Santos, Nia Thomas, Gwenno Davies, Thomas Pugh and Rhodri Vickers.

This year the meet welcomed Ioseff Russell, swimming for Barry, the grandson of the founder Brian Hardwicke who was competing in his first swimming gala. Ioseff won a bronze medal in the age 10 kick race.

Barry Amateur Swimming club would like to thank all the volunteers and parents who gave freely of their and helped to make the meet so successful

The 32nd Cardiff Bay sprint gala will be held on Saturday July 12th 2020.