Dis-satisfaction in synchronised swimming team for Carifta Championships

THE Amateur Swimming Association of Jamaica (ASAJ) has selected a four-member synchronised swimming team for next month's CARIFTA Swimming Championships from April 3-6 at the Bournemouth Bath swimming pool.

Breann Campbell and Jamielya Shaw were chosen in the 12 and under age group, while in the 16-18 category Michelle Gabbadon and Tahsna Smith-Edwards will represent the country. All four will compete in solo events as no teams or duets made the cut.

For the first time in the history of the sport locally, two clubs -- Island Aquatics and Synchro Stars -- competed for spots on the national team at the March 6 trials.

However, at least one club administrator has expressed dis-satisfaction in the process the ASAJ employed to select swimmers.

Chairperson of Synchro Stars, Diahann Campbell, told the Observer that the criteria laid down by the ASAJ made qualifying for the Championships difficult in addition to which, the fact that Synchronised Swimming would be held in East Kingston and at a separate location than the rest of the Championships would put the sport on the backfoot.

"I wish for there to be a change from a development stand point. We have an opportunity to let the sport be known and we have not seized it," Campbell said.

Documents obtained by the Observer showed that Island Aquatics members were peeved that Alexandria Hines of Island Aquatics got the highest marks in the 13-15 category, but did not qualify for the Championships because the qualifying standard for both 13-15 and 16-18 was the same.

Hines' mark was 0.24 of a point off the qualifying mark while the pair of Breann Campbell and Ahkira Brown also missed the cut in the duets by 0.15 of a point.

President of Island Aquatics Christine Gabbadon, however, told the Observer that the ASAJ had laid down their criteria and as such she would stand by its choices.

"We are basically standing by the decision of the ASAJ," she said. "Yes we would have liked all our swimmers to get in, but the ASAJ is the one that makes that decision."

However, ASAJ president Captain John Eyre told the Observer that the association would not be willing to compromise its standards no matter how slim the margin.

"A standard is a standard and if we compromise a little then we would end up compromising again and again and what that does is work against the sport," he said.

Eyre, who has been credited with lifting the profile of Jamaica's swimming, added that the dates for CARIFTA had been known for over a year and clubs should have been prepared for trials at least three weeks before the date.

He added that ASAJ had done its best to inform both clubs about the requirements and have them adjust their programmes accordingly.

"They had ample opportunity to get involved and make adjustments," he said. "We have attempted to educate the clubs and its up to the individuals what they do with the information we provide them."

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