Swimmers Go For Gold At Marlins Swimming Championships

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, December 20, 2017: In a fantastic display of endurance, strength and flexibility, the region’s top swimmers united in a quest for gold at the annual Republic Bank Marlins Invitational Swimming Championships, which took place at the National Aquatic Centre, Couva from December 14 -17, 2017.

Over 400 swimmers from 35 clubs competed in this year’s championships, which also drew considerable regional support from more than 100 participants coming from Jamaica, St. Lucia, Barbados and Guyana.

Supporters also turned out in their numbers to watch the swimmers compete in a series of fiercely contested races that kept spectators at the edge of their seats. The four days of intense competition concluded with Tidal Wave Aquatics winning first place in the team category for the fifth year in a row while Marlins Swim Club and Atlantis Aquatics followed in second and third place respectively.

The Republic Bank Marlins Invitational Swimming Championships is considered to be one of the highlights of the local swim season and serves as a hallmark for the strides swimming has made as a sport in Trinidad and Tobago. The meet was originally conceived as an opportunity for swimmers to gain additional experience in Caribbean tournaments thereby improving their skills and performance through engaging in competition with other athletes.

Given the important role the sporting industry is expected to play in the diversification of our local economy, initiatives like this are now more relevant than ever before. Engaging in competition is of paramount importance to the development of the mental and physical readiness of any athlete. It keeps them motivated, helps to develop their confidence and prepares them for further, more challenging competition.

Republic Bank, now in their fourth year as sponsors of the championships, expressed their commitment to the event and to supporting the development of the country’s youth through sport and other avenues that form part of the core focus of their Power to Make a Difference programme.

Annette Wattie, Regional Sales Manager (South) Commercial and Retail Banking, stressed the importance of realising the tremendous potential stored within our youth. She said, “Our young people must be given the right opportunities to develop and maintain the necessary health, skills and abilities to make the future that we envision a reality. One of the best ways to accomplish this is through encouraging their active participation in organised sport.”

If the stellar performances and strong interest generated by this year’s athletes are any indicators of success, one would be safe to assume that this investment in the future is already bearing fruit.

Champions…Champions : Republic Bank’s Regional Sales Manager (South), Commercial and Retail Banking, Annette Wattie, shares the spotlight with members of the Tidal Wave Aquatics as they held onto their title of Republic Bank Marlins Invitational Swimming championships for the fifth year. The competition was held at the National Aquatic Centre, in Couva, during the period December 14- 17, 2017.

Congrats Kale: Republic Bank’s Regional Sales Manager (South), Commercial and Retail Banking, Annette Wattie, presents Kale Yorke, 16, with the challenge trophy after his team , Tidal Wave Aquatics, took first place at the competition.