Canadian Swimmers to Visit Bermuda
Over the past two years Bermuda has experienced a Canadian invasion of visiting Mount Allison University Soccer “Mounties” from Sackville, New Brunswick — thanks to the efforts of several Bermudians. This year for spring break the Canadian university from Atlantic Canada will be sending its men’s and women’s swim teams to enjoy the warmer climate.
With such positive results after the Soccer Mounties took their turns enjoying the Bermuda experience, the Mount Allison swim teams are next on the list and will be accompanied by their coaches John Peters and Steve Scott, Mount Allison University President Dr. Robert Campbell, and career services coordinator Scott Yorke.
The group of 24 has been raising funds over the past year to pay for the trip. Despite the fact that the Swimming Mounties have not owned a “home pool” this season because of the necessary major renovations, the squad has been supported in their efforts by so many. One such donor has been President Robert Campbell, who personally contributed generously to the team’s journey, while he himself perhaps missed his daily swims in the pool, every bit as much as the Mountie swimmers.
Though the Mounties spent most of this year travelling half an hour by bus to Amherst, NS, and back for their daily practices, the team has been turning in good personal performances. Even though their competitive season ended this past weekend [Feb. 12/13] in Halifax, NS, the Mounties are trying not to look beyond peaking at their conference championship meet.
Head coach John Peters knows he has to keep his swimmers concentrating on the year’s goals. “The team is really looking forward to this Bermuda trip and has worked hard to get there, but we have to maintain our focus this weekend and swim our personal bests,” says Peters. “When we arrive in Bermuda, then we can take time to have fun, swim and train, renew alumni contacts, raise Mount Allison’s profile with recruits, and hopefully have the experience of a lifetime.”
Once in Bermuda the group will be hosted by several local families, many of whom have Mount Allison roots. Currently the swim team has one Bermudian on its roster — first-year sprinter Kellan DeSilva of Southampton — a former Warwick Academy student and past swimmer with the Sharks Swim Club.
The Mounties will arrive on the island Feb. 19 and return to Canada on Feb. 26. Over the week they will be training at the Saltus Pool, attending school recruiting trips [Cedarbridge Academy, Saltus Grammar, Mount Saint Agnes], enjoying various receptions at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club [RBYC] on Feb. 19 and 22, and also taking in the sites and sounds of Island hospitality and tourism. On Tuesday, Feb. 22, Mount Allison’s President Robert Campbell will be the featured speaker at a Mount Allison alumni reception at the RBYC. At the same event, Rick Thompson, successful Bermudian businessman and Allisonian, will be honoured by the University for his generous and ongoing support.
