News
A Year In Review
As 2023 comes to an end and 2024 begins, it is the perfect opportunity to reflect on and appreciate everything you have achieved individually, what Squads has achieved together, and what the Hamilton Aquatics program has achieved all around. Upon reflection, is there anything you would change? Any goals that you need to adjust or develop? Any lifestyle changes that you wish to implement for the new year and the remainder of the season?
Whilst it is easy to reflect on some low lights of 2023, it is exciting and motivating to remember the highlights we as a program achieved across the year.
International Representation:
We had many swimmers representing their country internationally last year. Some for the first time and others more seasoned in donning their country's flag. A huge well done to:
• Oscar Bilbao - Britain
• Molly Mayne - Ireland
• Amman Siddiqui - Pakistan
• Nadine Karim - Egypt
• Laith Sabbah - Jordan
• Tara Aloul - Jordan
• Jasmine Eissa - Egypt
• Karin Belbeisi – Jordan
Each year our list of international representatives grows. It is something we are immensely proud of and is in our DNA to nurture talent from the learner pool to the international podium. Our athletes above currently train in various squads across Hamilton Aquatics with different coaches. It is an excellent opportunity for teammates to be inspired daily by those who are achieving goals and aspirations.
Partnerships
This year saw Hamilton Aquatics growing and evolving. Whilst we remain an army of orange and black, we updated our logo into a modern image more fitting to the Hamilton identity. With this came a great opportunity to enter a partnership with the renowned British Swimwear company Swimzi. Our new kit gives a fresher and more professional look that we have loved seeing our swimmers wearing around the Hamdan so far. We are excited to see the Swimzi/ Hamilton kit worn overseas at competitions this coming year.
We also entered into a partnership with The Edge HPL, a nutrition company working with high-performance athletes. Working with Tiffany, our swimmers in the Performance and Competition Pathway attended an online workshop looking at nutritional aspects aimed at aiding the performance, recovery, and growth of junior athletes. Tiffany also presented to the Hamilton Aquatics coaching team to help upskill our knowledge allowing us to support and continue educating swimmers about nutrition.
Towards the end of 2023we began a partnership with Cognitive Sports Performance to support swimmers with the psychological aspects of training and competing. Serena is delivering a series of workshops, helping our swimmers to develop mental skills across a broad range of topics. Through these workshops, Serena is aiding in developing more resilient athletes who can better juggle the demands of being a high-performing student-athlete.
Duel In The Pool
A highlight toward the end of 2023 saw the return of Duel in The Pool across Performance and Competition pathways and the inaugural Learn to Swim pathway Duel. These in house competitions gave a unique opportunity to bring different squads together and have some fun whilst swimming fast. In our Youth Duel, Orange Utans reigned supreme with Black Panthers taking the win at the Age Group Duel. In our Learn to Swim meet, we had three winners; Team Jumeirah Primary School, Team Dubai British School Jumeirah Park and Team Fairgreen International & GEMS Metropole Al Waha. Congratulations to all swimmers who took part. Who will be in the winning teams in 2024?
Looking Ahead
With all the excitement of 2023 wrapped up, there are some exciting opportunities to race both in Dubai and internationally this coming year.
The Inaugural (return of the) Dubai Open Swimming Championships is set to take place at the Hamdan Sports Complex in February (16th-18th) with international teams confirmed in attendance.
Swimmers will be attending overseas competitions in Oman, Norwich (UK), Scottish National Age Group Championships and the Irish Summer Nationals with more international meets still to be confirmed.
The most prestigious sporting event is also taking place this year in Paris. The Olympic Games. Whilst we have swimmers in the program setting their sights on this year’s meet with their home nations, there is nothing more inspiring for swimmers of any age than watching the best in the world all competing for the glory of an Olympic medal. Get ready to be inspired!
Thank You!
Lastly, we would like to say a big thank you to all our swimmers, parents, family, and fellow Hamilton Aquatics colleagues. 2023 gave us many opportunities to learn and grow as coaches and we are very grateful to be part of your swimming journey. In 2024 Hamilton Aquatics strives to continue to accommodate, educate, and inspire every swimmer representing the programme. Instilling positivity, respect, unity, excellence, and pride into every member.
To follow our journey via Instagram
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