British Gas ASA Regional Championships 4th/5th & 10th/11th June.

Chorley Marlins swimming club were well represented at the British Gas ASA Regional Age Group Championships at the Ex -commonwealth 50m pool in Manchester over the first two weekends in June.

Eight Marlin swimmers battled it out against the best young swimmers in the region at the Manchester Aquatics Centre after having to achieve tough specific qualifying times at official galas. For some it was another chance to race against some old foe’s from the recent Inter-association gala in Macclesfield.

Marlins swimmers took part in 39 events and qualified for 12 finals which is no mean feat at regional level. Six of the swimmers were competing at the championships for the first time and ages ranged from 10 to 14 years old. The young swimmers held their nerves to swim brilliantly in front of big crowds over two weekends in the same pool where the world’s best have competed and set records.

Chorley Marlins Head Coach Mary Parkinson said “It was great for the club to produce so many swimmers able to compete at the Regional Championships. It is nerve racking for the professionals to line up on the blocks and perform at Manchester, never mind swimmers as young as 10! They rose to the challenge and did themselves and the club proud”

The swimmers competing were Megan Ireland [10], Alexandra Highcock [10] Stephen Hancock [10], Anna Doughty [12], Jack Dandy [12], James Highcock [13], Emily Barclay [13] and Thomas Gibbs [14].

“As a club we are proud to see swimmers who have developed through our squad structure from an early age progress to compete at this level. All our swimmers swam fantastically well and a highlight was to see Emily, Thomas, Anna and Stephen qualify for the finals, especially as for some it was their first Regional Championships!” the head coach added.

Emily Barclay and Thomas Gibbs have also achieved National Qualifying Times and will now go on to compete at the ASA National Championships in July at Ponds Forge, Sheffield.