A collection of Chard swimmers recently made the journey to Weston-super-Mare to compete in the 1st round of the National Swimming League, sponsored by Arena, writes Paul Harrison.

A team competition, the Arena League tests the strength of every club across all age groups in both individual and relay events, therefore requiring not only enough swimmers training and competing to a high standard, but swimmers with good morale and dedication to the club.

Chard are a small club with fewer than average number of swimmers and as a result rely on swimmers competing in multiple events (sometimes in more than one age group), so often the swimmers cannot consistently achieve personal best times.

However, with eight personal best’s (PBs) in individual events and many more on the relays, coach June was proud of the overall efforts of the swimmers.

Finishing in a comfortable sixth position out of eight much larger teams, Chard did themselves proud and the signs bode well for maintaining a good position in the first division.

Congratulations to all the swimmers taking part: Melissa Hanson, Paul Harrison, Millie Downes, Abi Greenslade, Grace Lambert, Briana Barrand, Joe Shrubb, Lyndon Smith, Jevan Hampton-Rumbold, Louis Whittome, Xanthe Dyer, Megan Herbert, Harriet Copeman, Jamie Porter, Joss Copeman, Louis Rood, Oliver Bright, Grace Haskins, Somer Horsfield, Jess Fowler, Ben Greenslade, Sam Platten, Simon Davis, Henry Taswell, Tessa Down, Hope Horsfield, Hannah Pullinger, Jamie Pullinger, Iain Ross, Joe Spurway, Florence Swan, Leo Kindred, and Holly Bigger.

A big thank you to all our coaches and helpers at the gala, as Chard were nominated to host the gala and take responsibility for its organisation, so it was well and truly a team effort by everyone!

For more information about the club visit www.chardswimming.org.uk