Chesterfield Swimming Club celebrates a successful summer of gold

Chesterfield Swimming Club has made its mark this summer with swimmers competing at the Aquatics GB Next Gen Championships and Swim England National Summer Meet.

The club collected a total of nine medals, its joint highest total, with the most individual medallists in the club’s history at five.

The swimmers have worked incredibly hard all season, training eight times a week, and sticking together as a team throughout to reach this incredible goal.

The Aquatics GB Next Gen Championships is the highest tier of domestic competition in Britain, featuring Olympic and international level athletes.

The championships bring together the country’s best swimmers to compete for national titles with entry to the competition by invitation only, from long-course performances recorded in a designated qualifying window.

Carlos Sierra Villegas qualified for four separate events in the competition, delivering brilliant swims.

He stormed to victory in the 200 metre backstroke - winning gold and making him the first swimmer in the history of the club to become British champion in his age group.

Hayden Hudson, a multi classification para swimmer, qualified for two events in the competition and powered through, achieving a personal best time in the 200 IM.

Further success was on display at the Swim England National Summer Meet where entry is again by invitation only. Seven of the club’s swimmers: Hayden Hudson, Holly Ralph, Henry Jones, Amelia Denham, Maisie Wilkes, Lily-Grace Belfield and Daisy Tatlow-Turner all qualified for numerous events.

Outstanding performances in the 100 metre breaststroke secured Holly gold in the 15 year age group, Maisie silver in the 16 year age group and Amelia bronze in the 17 year age group.

Holly and Amelia also achieved medal success in the 200 metre breaststroke with Amelia winning gold and Holly winning silver. Hayden again put in strong performances winning gold in multi classification 200 freestyle, silver in 100 metre butterfly and silver in 100 metre backstroke.

Head coach Ian Spencer said: “Our athletes have been fantastic, demonstrating outstanding character and belief in their ability.

“This doesn’t just come together on the day and is the product of a full season of hard work, tough races, and resilience to overcome setbacks.

“The way in which our team have grown as people and performers over the past 12 months has been an absolute pleasure for me to be a part of…we’re laying strong foundations, but there are still many areas we can improve. So, no reason why we can’t create more history next season.”