“We are more than a swim club, we are truly a family-oriented club that seeks to shape well-rounded swimmers who thrive in and out of the pool. We try to ingrain in our members the importance of community service and playing their part in enhancing the lives of the less fortunate.”
So said Tessa Charles-Louis, President of the Lightning Aquatics (LA) Swim Club, the proud winner of the coveted Club of the Year Awards for 2017.
Charles-Louis went on to thank the executive, parents, coaches, swimmers, sponsors and well-wishers for their continued dedication and support over the years.
The club’s Public Relations Officer, Karetta Crooks-Charles, and Floor Representative, Loyola Edwin, were on hand to receive the award at the 38th National Sports Awards 2018 held at the Royalton St. Lucia, Cap Estate on Saturday, February 17.
This is the third time LA has secured their place as club of the year. They first won in 2014 and then in 2015. LA also congratulates Sharks Swim Club and Sea Jays Swim Club who were also nominees in this category.
Congratulations to Katie Kyle of Sharks for receiving an award for shortlisted nominee in the junior sportswoman of the year category as well as to sportswoman and sportsman nominees Mikaili Charlemagne from Sharks and JayhanOdlum-Smith and TerrelMonplaisir from Sea Jays.
According to Coach Marlon James, one of LA’s three coaches, “This is a great accomplishment for Lightning Aquatics. Getting this title for a third time just shows that we are committed to the holistic development of our swimmers year in year out.”
In keeping with our efforts to shape well-rounded swimmers, our female swimmers spent some quality time together discussing “female issues” and the importance of understanding their bodies and loving themselves just the way they are. “Girls Talk” held on Saturday, February 10 was a huge success, thanks to Patricia Biscette-Modeste of the St. Lucia Planned Parenthood Association, who delivered an interactive and educational session. LA’s very own was also on hand to share her expertise. The club is also thankful to Renwick and Company Ltd. for providing our swimmers with useful feminine products.
Meanwhile, our next community outreach is slated for the end of February when we will make our third donation of breakfast items to the Des Barras Combined School. This project forms part of Mission Possible 2018 LA Brings Smiles, whereby through the benevolence of parents and sponsors we provide opportunities for our swimmers to give back to the community.
The next swim competition on the club’s agenda is the Independence Swim Meet organized by the Saint Lucia Amateur Swimming Association which has been rescheduled to Saturday, March 3 at the Rodney Heights Aquatics Centre. We are also getting ready to stage our 2nd annual LA Relay Carnival in mid-March.
To learn how you can join or support the swimmers of Lightning Aquatics, please visit us on Facebook: Lightning Aquatics Swim Club. Dr. Joanne Mills-Felicien.