Bexley Swimmers Aim to Make a Splash
Eight Bexley club swimmers are aiming to make a big splash at the English National Championships at Ponds Forge in Sheffield this week competing with the very best in the country. They were watched going through their final training paces at Lamorbey Swimming Baths by Cllr Peter Catterall, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Arts and Tourism, and former member of Bexley Swimming Club, Cllr Matthew Scott.
Cllr Catterall said "This is a tremendous achievement by these young swimmers to reach the national swimming championships. Bexley Council is in the middle of a multi-million pound investment to provide top class facilities for our elite swimmers and making sure that all of our residents have good access to excellent local facilities. The Council is pleased to be able to support and work closely with the club to promote swimming within our borough."
Chairman of Bexley Swimming Club, Michael Thompson, said "Our club programme encourages swimmers who have completed the Council's learn to swim lessons to take their swimming further and with over 100 members we have all abilities, but it is fantastic that we have produced so many reaching the national standard this year."
As well as Lamorbey, the club uses the new Crook Log Pool in the borough. Mr Thompson said "Our swimmers are looking forward to the development of the new facilities under construction in Sidcup. The Club's biggest cost is the hire of facilities and without the support of the Council we simply could not provide these sporting opportunities for local children. Bexley Swimming Club has a big reputation for being well organised and run and we are planning more galas at the Crook Log Centre next year."
"I know from personal experience how much time and effort these young people have had to put in to get to this level," said Cllr Scott, who still takes a keen interest in the Club's activities. "With the Council's support they are each swimming nearly 20 hours each week including their very early morning sessions. I will be watching their progress over the next few years and hopefully we may see them all at the London Olympics."
For more information about Bexley Swimming Club, see its website, 
www.bexleyswimmingclub.com; and for more information about the National Swimming Championships please visit www.britishswimming.org
