History of Portmarnock Swimming Club
In 1997 Portmarnock Swimming Club was a small local swim team; it was a good age group club that had reasonable success at an age group and regional level. At a National Level it had never won a medal at the National Championships. After over 10 years in existence the club needed a new Head Coach. After a number of months of searching without success they were advised to approach an assistant coach from a very successful team.
When they spoke to the coach, his comments were not about winning medals or how successful the club would become, it was based on a simple philosophy of coaching. Every swimmer that swims on the team has the opportunity, if they are willing to make the commitment to fulfil their potential. He was not interested in counting medals, in short terms wins or losses. The primary emphasis was the long-term development of all swimmers. The vision was to provide the opportunity and environment for swimmers to reach the highest level that they are capable of achieving. That simple vision remains to this day. There were no limits; we would always find a way to get to the next level.
At the National Championships in 1998 a small number of swimmers competing at Junior and Senior level won 16 medals including 3 National Junior titles. In 1999 that same group added National Senior titles. In 1999/2000 three swimmers qualified for the Irish Schools Team and one for the Irish National senior Team.
Over the next 10 years this belief in a simple philosophy and the faithfulness to an agreed vision has resulted in success at all levels.
The principles of hard work and dedication has been reinforced, within the club everyone recognises that hard work and commitment are the most important factor. The Coaches are just as proud of the swimmers that reached their potential by making a final or even qualifying for the National Championships, as they are of the swimmers that have competed for Ireland at the World Championships. They also take great satisfaction from the educational and career achievements of the swimmers, the ethics of hard work and commitment are life values. Our community is enhanced by the Doctors, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Teachers and Social Workers etc that swimmers from this club have become.
Swimmers from the Club have represented Ireland at Age Group, Schools, Youth and Senior level. They have broken Irish Records at Junior and Senior level at both Short Course and Long Course events.
The Club is proud of the fact that the vast majority of swimmers started with the club as young as 5 years old and progress from the D squad to A squad level. There have been very few exceptions. Fiona Doyle was one the most outstanding age Group swimmers in Ireland. Fiona is from Limerick and was a member of the HPC-UL. Fiona’s transition from Age Group swimmer to senior swimmers had a number of disappointments. At the age of 17 Fiona moved to Dublin to live and attend school so that she could train with the Club.
The range and depth of the clubs activities can be highlighted by looking at the last number of years.
Over the course of 2009 season swimmers from Portmarnock competed at their first competition (as young as 6 years of age) swimming in races over 25m, swimmers competed at graded meets and at Leinster Age Group level, Leinster Senior and Open level, Irish Age Groups Division 2, Irish Age Groups and Irish Youth Championships, Irish Open Championships, British Age Group Championships, World University Games and World Championships.
Karl Burdis and Fiona Doyle both qualified to swim at the 13th FINA World Championships in Rome . Karl and Fiona both broke Irish Records and both were selected as relay team members in the Medley and Freestyle team relay events. Karl’s 100bc time ranked him 26th in the World in 2009. Karl also competed at World University games and qualified for the final in the 100bc placing 7th, Karl qualified in the semi finals in the 50 and 200bc. In the course of the World University Games and World Championships Karl set 10 individual Irish Senior Records and was a member of a relay that sets 4 Irish Senior Records.
Jack Cobain again qualified for the final of the 100bc and 200bc at the British Age Group Championships. Jack and Therese Corry both won events at the National Age group championships, with Therese winning best overall girl in her age group. Therese went on to compete at the National Open Championships and again medalled in a number of events. Evan O’Keeffe maintained his excellent form all year and added the National title in his age group to the Leinster open title in the 1500fs among many great swims at the National Youth Championships.
When Swim Ireland set up a National High Performance Centre in Dublin five Portmarnock swimmers were involved. This was a huge endorsement of the success and dedication of the swimmers and the programme.
In 2010 the progress continued a notable 1-2-3 finish in the 200bc at the Irish National Short Course Championships this was from 4 swimmers at the event. All 4 swimmers were medal winners and the 4 swimmers qualified for a total of 12 Finals.
Swimmers from the Club compete at inter-club, regional, National and international level throughout the year. The club is represented at over 20 meets per year. Selected Swimmers are also involved at club, regional, national and international level training camps.
Swimmers from the Club have competed in every major competition apart from the Olympics. The list includes; European Championships, World University Games, World Championships and also NCAA (as a member of U of M, Karl has also medalled at Big 10s) and grand prix meets in a number of countries. They have also competed and won medals at National Championships in Britain, Netherlands and Scotland.
The Club now have swimmers and coaches linked to the linked to High Performance Centre and a swimmer based at the University of Calgary. Coaches from the club have been selected as Team staff for many National teams and competitions including the European and World Championships. In addition two members of the club have been selected as National Team Managers.
The Club value the structure and traditions that have developed and have ensured that all coaching staff are trained and mentored in the implementation of a specific structure and training programme. Since 1997 this club stayed loyal to a vision, it is still a small club but it is one of the most successful Clubs in Ireland.
The only major swimming event that we have not had a swimmer compete at is the Olympic Games. Karl and Fiona are focused on the process of changing that fact; they have yet to fulfil their potential. This Club will continue to create that opportunity and necessary environment.