PRESS RELEASE – The St. Lucia Amateur Swimming Association in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports successfully staged the Primary and Secondary Schools Meet on May 29.
Present during the meet were Isabel Marquis, School Sports Coordinator; Saralee Williams, Swimming Liaison in the Department of Youth and Sports; Claudia Jn. Baptiste, Director of Sports; and Mary Wilfred, Director of Youth Development.
The day was divided into two sessions with the morning session dedicated to swimmers from primary schools. Seven primary schools participated, namely Dame Pearlette Louisy, Tapion, Gros Islet, SDA Eucharist, Montessori Center, Vide Bouteille and the International School.
With leading combined team points, the Montessori Center was victorious, capturing the winning spot with 320 points. Dame Pearlette Louisy Primary placed second with 309 points and Tapion Primary third with 199 points.
The first half of the competition ended at noon, allowing the secondary schools time to get ready for competition. Competing in the second round werethe following: Leon Hess, St. Mary’s College, St. Joseph’s Convent, SDA Eucharist, Boys Training Center, Castries Comprehensive, Gros Islet, International School and Soufriere.
Leon Hess Secondary School walked away as winners with a total of 352 points, followed by St. Joseph’s Convent with 343 points. In third place with 289 points was St. Mary’s College.
Meet Director Lily Bergasse expressed her delight at the end of the meet and thanked the Ministry of Youth and Sports for their support. She also thanked the officials for giving of their time in assisting to run a successful meet. Bergasse also praised the sponsors — Bay Gardens Resorts, Easy Click Books and Blue Waters — for coming on board.
Incoming President, Eddie Hazell, along with the new executive of SLASA, have expressed the desire to continue the past efforts of the association in the growth of swimming among the youth of St. Lucia and to increase efforts to nurture the schools’ sports programme with more swimming.