Olympian Hannah Miley has admitted disappointment over not being able to take up an invitation to join Forfar club swimmers in a history-making session at their new pool.
Monday night saw the first training session for the Forfar Falcons outfit on the day the doors opened to the full range of facilities at the new £38.9 million town community campus, following last week’s flit from the old to new Forfar Academy which is also part of the development.
A specialist in the individual medley, north-east 27-year-old Miley had been invited to join the swimmers for their first set in the six-lane 25 metre pool – a significant step forward for Forfar Amateur Swimming Club (FASC), whose members have until now trained in the 25-yard waters of the old Victorian baths at The Vennel.
The former world short course, European champion and double Commonwealth champ hopes to be able to make the trip down to Angus, but instead was Indianapolis-bound as part of the British swimming contingent for an upcoming grand prix event.
She has wished the club well and hopes to be able to visit the new facility, expressing the hope that training in the regulation-length pool will be a boon to the young swimmers.
FASC president Lesley Cromar said: “It would have been great to have Hannah here, but we appreciate her good wishes for the club.
“It’s great that we are in a new facility and the kids will thrive in a 25-metre pool.”
The first session was also a family affair for three generations of swimmers with strong links to FASC.
Andy Reid Sr’s dedication to the sport has taken him to masters competitions across the UK and Europe and, now in his eighties, he still swims several times a week.
His son, also Andy, is a coach with the club, with his children Kirsty, 12, and Cameron, 7, part of the group that took to the water last night.
“We currently have around 170 regular swimmers and compete in both the premier and second divisions of the Midlands District, as well as having many other members for fitness and fun,” added Lesley.
