HIGH-PERFORMANCE coach at the University of Stirling, Ben Higson will be the guest speaker at the Swim Ulster Coaching Conference which is being held this weekend(Saturday and Sunday) at the Aurora Complex in Bangor.
Among a wide range of topics to be debated are the benefits or otherwise of dry land training and how it impacts on competitive swimming.
There will be in-depth analysis on teaching and coaching of the Breaststroke and Butterfly strokes with hands on practical sessions in the pool.
A Coaching Forum will bring the high powered event to a conclusion by looking at ways the local governing body Swim Ulster can provide support and guidance to help coaches improve skills and performance.
The cost to participants is £30 per day/£15 for a morning or afternoon session only and full details can be obtained from Ruth McQuillan at ruth@swimulster.net.
There was some hectic action in the National Water Polo Leagues at the Leisureplex in Lisburn at the week-end when both Brugha's top flight teams were involved in hard competitive games.
Their men's side lost their 100% record but remained unbeaten after an 8-8 draw against St.Vincents to remain seven points ahead at the top of the table.
They had difficulty getting any rhythm to their play and can thank veterans Chris Hodgkinson and Aodhan McMahon for holding things together as they went into the last quarter 5-7 in arrears.
They finally took over the game in the last quarter and scored three without reply to lead 8-7 with just twenty-nine seconds left on the clock.A hotly disputed goal with just nine seconds to go gave the visitors a share of the points.
The women's team maintained their dominance over Donegall Diamonds with a business like 8-5 win in a sometimes fractious game.
Diamonds opened up at a furious pace but found Brugha goalkeeper Hannah Taylor in irresistible form as Brugha kept the scoreboard ticking over to run out comfortable enough winners.
The big surprise of the week-end was North Dublin's 11-10 win over Half Moon which leaves them nine points adrift of Brugha.
Setanta's recent good run came to an end when they lost 13-6 to Sandycove and Clonard picked up some useful points when they beat St.Vincents 2nd team 11-8.
The King's Head is the place to be on Friday night for a "Night at the Races" to raise funds for the Ulster youth team that is going to Hungary.Jim McConvey will be delighted to hear from anyone who wants to contribute.
