YOUNG swimmers from North Ayrshire got off to a flying start in their 2018 Clyde Coast Mini League campaign with a comfortable win in the first round.

They finished with a margin of more than 50 points against the teams from West Dunbartonshire, Renfrew and Kirkintilloch and Kilsyth who were left to fight a close battle for the second place finish at the magnificent Victorian ‘Victory Baths’ in Renfrew.

“I’m over the moon with the result it was a really good day for the club,” said NAASC junior coach Alan Dickson.

"As expected it was fast, furious, really loud and from the start the atmosphere was fantastic.”

Sixteen teams from as far away as Dumfries and Kintyre compete in the Mini League over three rounds with the six teams winning the most points facing each other for the title of Mini League Champions in the A final, held in Ayr in June.

For the youngest swimmers in the club, who train with the Development Squad from the age of six, the round robin format and short races is often their first taste of competition.

Alan said he was impressed with the way they performed making special mention of Cameron Hammil from Largs, Ruby McInnes from Dalry, Emily McGuire from Saltcoats, Kilbirnie's Aiden Buttle, Irvine's Sam Currie an Cameron Gibson from Kilwinning.

“I knew the girls were strong and would perform well, but the boys really stepped up to another level and I think that’s down to the team spirit of the Mini League.

“They really worked hard for each other, especially in the squadron relay at the end where we swim two boys from each of the three age groups making a team of six, and they worked their socks off to win the race by some distance, topping off a really great day for the club.”

“I’ve got to say thank you to Renfrew Baths for hosting us. It’s really interesting for the swimmers to compete in a 25-yard pool and it’s a stunning Victorian building which is iconic in the west of Scotland.”

The final result of Round one:

North Ayrshire 166

West Dunbartonshire 113

Renfrew Baths 111

Kirkintilloch & Kilsyth 106

To find out more about how to join the NAASC Development Squad email: info@naasc.co.uk