AHA ON TOP OF THE WORLD Both Matthew Bell and Steven McQuillan have returned triumphant from their respective Global Championships. Following on from his medals at the European Championships in 2008, Matthew again hit form at the right time and gained gold and silver medals respectively in the 4x100m and 4x50m Freestyle relays at the Global S14 Games. He excelled himself in the distance events as well gaining a well deserved and hard fought 7th place in the 400m Individual Medley and 5th place in the 1500m Freestyle finals. Since joining AHA in September 2008, Steven has gone from strength to strength smashing Ulster and Irish records short course and long course in the Butterfly sprint events. Long Course records 2009                          50 Butterfly: Dave McCullagh  -  24.70   Irish Nationals  – 24.69   World Student Games – 24.60   Irish Senior LC – 24.49 100 Butterfly: Dave McCullagh – 55.16     Irish Nationals – 54.96     Irish Senior LC – 54.67   The World Student Games was Steven’s first Major Championships and he did the ultimate of all sporting success by setting a personal best time and Irish record on the day when it counts the most. Steven then went to on to gain a very respectable 4th place at the British Senior Championships in Sheffield. Following these outstanding achievements Steven has qualified for Ireland’s Team 2012, the European SC Championships and has the consideration time for the 2010 Commonwealth Games. All at AHA congratulate these outstanding achievements and wish both boys continued success in their future endeavours.
Dave McCullagh Memorial Gala - 27/29 March 2009 - Limerick Steely Steve shows his Metal: Steven McQuillan is at it again .... Record Breaking Steven has set two New Irish Senior Long Course Records at this meet. He soared out in the 50 Fly and stayed there until the clock displayed brightly for everyone to see an amazing 24.70, a flying sprint indeed. But it wasn't over yet, his kite was still flying high when he entered the 100 Fly and did it yet again, he set another new Irish Record of 55.16. These are serious times for young Steven which have shifted him up and into the international arena. He has now qualified for the 2012 Team, will now be a contender in the World Student Games and has also met consideration times for the Commonwealth Games, not bad for a long weekend trip to Limerick! Ryan Wray does his Breast: Here was our other thunderbolt at this event, or as one observer put it "is that the wee lad Ryan Wray?" yes indeed it is but not so much of the wee, for he went out in the 50 Breast as a virtual unknown and has now got the big boys saying "that is Ryan Wray" ... and he has just taken a 3rd place of 32.22 against some of the best in Ireland. Ryan brushed shoulders again with the big breast stroker's in the 100 meter race and returned a notable 4th place with 1.09.26. This was a journey to Limerick for Ryan that certainly did not sap his energy because he went on to achieve 5 PB's over the course of the weekend and I suspect a lot more people now know his name!
Ryan Wray knocks Em for 6!  Ryan was swimming for AHS last week in the Ulster Youth Championships, Lisburn 13-15 March 2009. Ryan really meant business in this meet with a ferocious onslaught on the competition and a no nonsense approach to the event. He started as he ended Gold, Gold, Gold, in every one of his six events he returned a PB & Gold. Just have a look at the result board , 6 Swims, 6PB's, 6 Golds, it's a hat trick in every sense of the word. This was a fantastic result for Ryan who has been training hard, showing great determination and commitment to his sport. To add icing on the cake, he was invited and confirmed to join the Swim Ulster Squad, having made his Ulster times at this meet with a 1.06.99 in the 100 Breast and 2.26.21 in the 200 Breast. We at AHS are all delighted for Ryan having put in such a remarkable performance at the Ulster Youths, and bringing pride of place to himself and his club, excellent work Ryan!
James Hamilton A Shooting Star - Sheffield 2009 James Hamilton along with his fellow Ulster Squad swimmers recently competed in the DSE National Junior Championships 7-8   March 2009 Ponds Forge Sheffield. James returned an outstanding performance throughout the event, he won Gold in the 400 freestyle (PB 5:29.99), Silver in 100 breaststroke (PB 1:24:49), and 3 Bronze from 50m breaststroke (PB 39:77), 100m freestyle (1:10.37), and 50m freestyle (PB 30.84).   It's obvious that James has been well prepared for this event, he has been training hard with professional guidance and direction. Proving once again that with the right help, it can all work out, his Medals and a host of personal best's at this event pay testament to that. Here we can see James proudly showing off his cache of medals to his performance coach Andy Hunter at his elite squad training venue in BRA Belfast, home of AHS. James really is in good company here and we hope to see him reach his full potential, keep up the good work James!
Steven McQuillan breaks ... another Record Ulster, Irish and Team 2012 swimmers were in action last week at the Celtic Tri Nation Swimming Championships in Swansea, Wales  Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd February.  Steven was in peak form as he went out and got a 1st and smashed the LC Irish Senior Record in the 100 Fly with a 55.1, he also won a 1st in the 50 Fly with a 25.26 and a pb in the 50Fc 24.36. This really was a sterling performance by Steven, showing once again, that with the right training and determination you can break Records.
Matthew Bell is called for GB Squad World Championships Czech Rep 2009 Matthew learned this week 23/02/ 2009 that he was selected to represent the s14 GB Squad that will compete in the World Championships in the Czech Republic July 2009. Matthew qualified in 7 events, and will  be a valuable asset to the GB squad.
1st Jan 2009 - Start the Year as you mean to Go On! Warm weather training in Torremolinos
AHA Makes Swim History ... Again! Two of AHA swimmers Matthew Bell & James Hamilton traveled to Swansea with the support of Coach and Staff to compete in the Welsh LC Championships 13 - 14th Dec 2008.The two local boys were up against the best of the GB swimmers, yet each still managed to bring medals home. Matthew won Gold in the 400FS, 3 x Silver’s in the 100Fly, 200IM, 200FS and a Bronze in the 100FS. James did remarkably well for his first National event, he brought home a Gold in the 100 Breast Stroke and achieved a very credible fourth place in the 400FS. Both boys represent the very best of s14 swimmers in Ireland, by training hard with AHA they have for the first time been sent as a contingent to the mainland to represent local swimming, keep up the good work lads, 2012 is just around the corner!
Steven sets New Ulster SC Record After only a few short months of joining AHA, Steven McQuillan has set a new Ulster SC record and is enjoying some personal best times. Steven was recently competing for his Ards Club at the Irish SC Nationals, Nov 2008 where he won in both the 50M and 100M Fly. Steven was on Fire at this event, where he returned a pb sc and new Ulster Record in the 100 Fly which he won with a 54.6, he put in a pb sc of 25.03 in the 50 and also won this race. Steven has shown that he is a real force to be reckoned with and is a major contender within Ulster & Irish swimming events, congratulations from all your fellow swimmers and staff at AHA, keep up the good work!	Andy congratulates Steven
AHA, Matthew brings home 2 Gold & 1 Bronze from the 2008 Europeans Matthew Bell has done us all proud by bringing home 2 Golds & 1 Bronze Medal from the 2008 INAS-FID European Championships held on the 17th-21st August in Poland. Matthew was part of the GB team and has set a first by bringing home Gold to N.Ireland as an s14 swimmer at a European Championship.
Caroline moves up A Level Caroline has just proved that she has got both beauty and brains by gaining outstanding results in her A level's. She got 4 A's in her studies and was rapidly accepted by Cambridge University where she will study for her degree and hopefully swim for the University. Good luck Caroline from all your fellow swimmers and Staff at AHA.
AHS compete in the Scottish Nationals Glasgow 2008 AHS finals in Scotland. Congratulations to Caroline Gordon and Willie Johnston for finaling at the Scottish LC Championships in Glasgow. Willie swam an amazing 24.84 for the 50 Freestyle, just 0.2 seconds outside the European Masters record while Caroline placed 5th in the 50 Breastroke.
Iain McCulloch Congratulations to Iain McCulloch for qualifying to swim for Ulster at the recent Interprovincial Championships at the NAC in Dublin.
7 Swimmers from AHS were recently chosen to compete for Ulster at the upcoming Interprovincial at the NAC in Dublin. Congratulations to: Conor Brines, Charlotte Hall, Matthew Harkness, Emily Heyburn, Iain McCulloch, Ryan Wray and Mark Wylie
European Selection for Bell
Congratulations to Matthew Bell, our most recent International selection. Matt has been selected to compete for GB in the upcoming European s14 Championships in Poland in August. All Matt's training partners at AHA wish him well in his preparations for the challenge ahead.
Willie Johnston joins AHA A word from William "The Andy Hunter Swim Academy is providing swimmers with High Performance training that has a proven record for success. That is why I fully endorse the ethos of the Academy of ‘Quality performances through Quality training’ in producing some of the best swimmers in the country. As a past Irish Freestyle champion I believe swimmers at AHA are receiving top quality training and development in raising their performance to the highest level. Andy’s results are proof that his training methods are successful. In establishing the Academy, Andy is providing the opportunity for other swimmers to exceed their level of expectations with high quality, needs driven sessions. I have joined AHA as I believe Andy is one of the best sprint coaches in Ireland and I am confident that I can reproduce some of my best swims with his training methods and guidance. After speaking with Andy I was instantly impressed with his knowledge and experience as a swim coach so much so that I’ve joined the Andy Hunter Academy with the intention of returning to competitive swimming."
Andy Hunter Swimming, warm weather training trip to Barcelona March 2008
AHS recent success at Radford Open, Sheffield April  2008 6 swimmers from Andy Hunter Swimming all gained pb's at the above event. They arrived home with 9 Medals, 3 Trophies and Emily Heyburn achieved her Swim Ireland 2012 squad time. Congratulations to Andy and all the squad on this fantastic performance
Another member of AHA has been in the press recently, Matthew Bell a founder member  of Andy Hunter's Academy, attracted the attention of a seasoned and respected sports journalist when he qualified for the European Championships which will be held in Poland 2008; Matthew Qualified in style and was also a medalist at the same event. Matthew's coach, Andy Hunter was commended for his nurturing input by the journalist as was his complete dedication and relentless commitment that he gives to each and everyone of his clients , read the full article below.
Weekend off allows hero a          Wii chance to chill out        Freestyle        By Joseph P Fitzpatrick	Matthew Bell AHA & Larne Swimmer
MATTHEW BELL  is not one to dodge the hard graft. You’ll find him today down at the Grove – swimming in the Potential Olympians series of galas which are the highlight of the sub-Ulster Squad swimming season. But last weekend, when everybody and their granny was at the Edinburgh International (incorporating the Celtic Tri-Nations Championships), Matthew was nowhere to be found. When I caught up with him later in the week, I learned the dark secret. “I never got out of my pyjamas all day,” laughed the 17-year-old athlete. “My mum and dad bought me this super Wii computer game for Christmas but it was never out of the box. “I don’t have the time when I’m training. But with everybody away, I got the game out and just ‘chilled out’ playing golf.’’ Never did a man deserve his fun more. At the start of February, Matthew swam at the High Wycombe Open Gala and recorded 2 minutes 54.04 seconds for the 200 metres backstroke and 6 mins 00.94 secs for the 400 individual medley. Either of those times qualified him for the INIS-FID S14 European Championships in Poland in August. Our hero also had to get in the medals to qualify – so he collared a bronze in the Individual Medley. “I couldn’t have done it without my coach, Andy Hunter,” said Matthew. And he has a point. Andy – who was also in Edinburgh last weekend – has been an inspiration to his stay-at-home protégé. There has been a problem with S14 swimmers in the Irish context but Andy Hunter found a British gala that fitted the bill. And he flew over to High Wycombe to provide support and advice personally. There are not too many coaches who would do that for a lone S14 athlete. No wonder Matthew thinks so highly of his coach. “I was one of the founder members of AHA,” he boasted. It stands for ‘Andrew Hunter's Academy’ – set up by the young coach last year. And it certainly has delivered for this founder swimmer. I don’t know if the coach knows but his charge had a sip of champagne after that stunning show last weekend – courtesy of mum Liz and dad Jim, and in a demonstration of total victory. But, as you know, nothing is ever over for a top class swimmer and Matthew is booked in for the Dave McCullagh Memorial Gala in Limerick on March 28-29. I have no doubt that he will do AHA and Larne proud. I remember Andy Hunter joking with his pupil at one training session last season: “Are you listening to me at all?” he asked. Matthew’s answer was to let his flippers do the talking for him. Andy Hunter need have no worries about his charge paying attention. “I hang on his every word’’ said Matthew. And that has the hint of a good coaching partnership.
January 2008 in Tenerife for another Andy Hunter Swimming warm weather training camp. Here we see some of Andy's contracted swimmers along with Andy in a first class facility chilling out for a photo shoot. It's hard work, but somebody's got to do it!
The Andy Hunter Academy (AHA) is paying dividends already, two of Andy's young protégés had recent success at the Ulster Open Championships in December 2007 Caroline Gordon : Ulster Open Champion 2007  50M  Breast  33.92 At the recent Ulster Open Championships in Dec 2007, Caroline showed how the combination of skill, commitment, determination and having the very best coaching support will pay off and culminate in podium places at the highest local & International level. Congratulations Caroline, keep up the good work!       Emily Heyburn : Ulster Junior Champion 2007 100 & 200M Fly At the recent Ulster Open Championships in Dec 2007, Emily proved what a rising star she really is. She put in an outstanding performance to take the Ulster Junior Championship title and has set the benchmark for all other young hopefuls to beat. Congratulations Emily, keep up the good work!           Andy Hunter's Academy Sponsor Ulster Open Championships 2007 Andy Hunter's Academy were proud to be sponsors at the recent Ulster Open Championships in December 2007. Here we can see Liz Bell of Andy Hunter Swimming presenting podium placed swimmers of the 200m Butterfly which was sponsored by Andy Hunter's Academy. In addition the Academy also presented a free voucher for a  training session, as an introductory sample of high performance coaching under Andy's individual training programme.           Andy Hunter's Academy Sponsors Ulster Open 2007  Andy has recently been away ( Nov 2007 ) on a warm weather Swim Training Camp in Cyprus where he has been coaching swimmers from various clubs and abilities. He has now returned, ready to continue with intensive training for all AHA swimmers. Although not the only future potential medalists, it is note worthy to mention a couple of associate swimmers who showed great promise on the above camp, and will no doubt be worth watching out for in the future as possible rising stars.                Shane Traill   Jordan Leckey & Andy