Hackney Aquatics at the British, English and Welsh National Championships

Photo 1 – British and English National Qualifiers (L-R) Kai Ogden, Jude Costley, Ryan McCoy

Photo 2 – Welsh Nationals (L-R) Lily Girardet, Khaleeq Khan, Ilyas Ahmed, Tahlia Deaner (not in picture Freya Duckworth and Ophelia Taggart)

July see’s Hackney Aquatics arrive at the end of the most successful season in the club’s history with 9 swimmers heading to the British, English and Welsh Summer National Championships.

The British Summer National Championships are the forefront of the age group swimming calendar with the best of British Age Group and Youth swimmers heading to Ponds Forge in Sheffield for the 6 day meet taking place from the 25-31st July. To qualify, swimmers must be ranked in the top 24 in their age group across the whole of the UK in a qualifying window that lasts from just March to May.

This year sees 3 Hackney Aquatics swimmers at the Championships, the most the club has ever had qualify. Jude Costley, Kai Ogden and Ryan McCoy, all 14, will be competing in a range of events. Jude will be swimming the 100m Backstroke, Kai in the 200m IM and Ryan in the 100m and 200m Butterfly.

All 3 swimmers will also be racing the following week at the English Summer National Championships where swimmers ranked in the next 20 are invited to compete. Jude swims in the 50m Backstroke, Kai in the 200m Backstroke and 400m IM and Ryan in the 50m and 100m Freestyle.

At the same time of the English Championships, the Welsh Championships will be taking place in Swansea. The meet which is also open to other British Swimmers is the final competition of the season with 6 swimmers racing across the 6 day meet including Ilyas Ahmed, Tahlia Deaner, Freya Duckworth, Lily Girardet, Khaleeq Khan and Ophelia Taggart.

The final meets of a the season conclude a very successful season for Hackney Aquatics which has seen them nominated for the Club of the Year at the London and Hackney Sports Awards due to the progression it has made both in and out the pool. They have received top club awards at a number of competitions throughout the season, were promoted to the highest division in the Junior League team and have had the highest number of swimmers at the County, Regional and National Championships.

Having doubled in size in the last 18 months, HAC now has over 300 members ranging from Academy Learn to Swim to Masters. The club is inclusive and offers high standard coaching for all types of swimmer including those who want to swim at National and International level or those who simply want to get involved in a friendly swimming club environment.

The 2017/18 season will see the club go through an exciting restructure that gives opportunities for everyone to be involved in the swimming club. They will also be offering volunteer and career opportunities for youngsters who are looking to get into coaching.

If you are interested in joining the club or would like more information on the new restructure, please contact membership@hackneyaquaticsclub.org

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