Eight swimmers from Hamilton Aquatics (HA) in Dubai travelled to Eindhoven, Netherlands yesterday to compete in the 10th edition of the Swim Cup ahead of what could be a busy summer.
Led by head coach Ash Morris, 2012 Olympians Velimir Stjepanovic and Ika Bolkvadze (both senior elite) will represent HA, while six juniors will also take part.
Eammon Gumley, Alex Millington (both 15), Daniel Momeni, Hannah Taleb, Destiny Hoffman and Maisy Duncan (all 16) will compete in the four-day event beginning tomorrow.
The meet is the biggest tournament of the year so far with Olympic and world medallists scheduled to take part.
Morris told Sport360°: “It is the biggest tournament of the year so far in Europe..
“We thought it would be a good idea to take our top and older junior swimmers there (to Eindhoven) to give them some exposure and experience at that level.”
While seniors Stjepanovic and Bolkvadze will be eyeing glory in the competition, which also acts as qualification route for the European Championships in Berlin on August 18, Morris acknowledges it will be a learning curve for the juniors.
“I don’t expect them to make the finals because it’s a senior competition. But it does give them the experience of competing at an international level, and they will be able to take this learning experience with them at future competitions,” said Morris.
“For instance, they (juniors) will be aiming to compete in the Youth Olympic Games (from August 16 to 28 in Nanjing, China), and we hope they can learn from their time in Eindhoven.”
The competition will have 34 events altogether, with the eight competitors taking part in several categories.
Whatever the results, Morris insists the competition will provide them with enough exposure for future tournaments in 2014 and beyond.
“We are looking at the long-term in the next two or three years, and we want them to compete in many competitions,” said Morris.
“It’s getting them ready mentally and physically enough for the bigger stage, and putting them out of their comfort zone and giving them the exposure to racing Olympians.
“It’s going to be a busy period and they will get ready for the summer competitions, which hopefully includes the Commonwealth Games in July.”
It will be the first time Dubaibased Hamilton Aquatics will have competed in the competition, and Morris is sure the swimmers will give it their best shot.
“It’s motivating to say the least. It’s something that I thrive towards in seeing that each swimmer takes it seriously which is pleasing to see,”
“For me, to see the swimmers achieve what they want to achieve is my goal as well and I am sure they will put in a lot of effort,” concluded Morris.
