Some of Jamaica’s best young swimmers will get an opportunity display their skills and compete for their schools at this year’s Mayberry High Performance Swim Classic set for March 21-22 at the National Aquatic Centre in Kingston.
The Secondary and Tertiary Schools will compete on Friday, the 21st, while Preparatory and Primary Schools will compete on Saturday, the 22nd.
One change made by the organizers is the introduction of the high-performance aspect of the meet for the Secondary and Tertiary Institutions.
“What we have done is to take the best 24 athletes for every stroke and every age group. They are going to swim heats in the morning and then finals in the evening where we’ll be handing out medals after every stroke, similar to what happens at CARIFTA,” Meet Director Joseph Reynolds told Sportsmax.tv at Tuesday’s media launch of the event.
The number of swimmers competing in the Prep and Primary School category is expected to be between 400 and 500, according to Reynolds.
Aquatic Association of Jamaica (ASAJ) President Lance Rochester was also on hand on Tuesday, crediting all involved in the organization of the meet as well as those instrumental in the suggestion of changes necessary to improve the product.
“This meet is a testament to partnership, teamwork and stakeholder engagement and brings together a range of companies, agents and agencies to pull it off for a safe, fun and successful event. This particular meet, we have listened to stakeholders. In the lead-up, there were strident attempts to improve the value of the product and make some changes and I think fans will enjoy the changes that are on the table,” he said.
“In some instances, stakeholders had some concerns about the format of the meet and those were taken into consideration and we made the appropriate adjustments because we always have to listen and improve what we are doing,” Rochester added.
Mayberry Investments Limited are returning as sponsors of the meet for an amazing 27th straight year.
“At Mayberry, we are more than just a financial institution. We are a company that believes in the power of investment, not only in the markets, but also in people, communities and the future of Jamaica. Our commitment to this event reflects our belief in the values that swimming embodies; discipline, perseverance and excellence,” said Vice President of Sales at Mayberry Investments Limited, Karen Hall.
Photo courtesy of Marlon Reid/Loop News.