Congratulations to Joseph who was awarded Cub of the month for his positive attitude to training, performance in club championships & commitment to the friendly league team.

to Send St Christophers CoE High School to the National Championships. Four local swimmers from St Christopher’s High School in Accrington have put the school on the national sporting map by qualifying for the National Schools Swimming Championships. Students Ellamae Entwistle (Backstroke), Sarah Pearson (Breaststroke), Megan Hacking (Butterfly) and Layla Newton (Freestyle) recently secured a silver medal in the Medley Relay at the ESSA North West Championships held at Liverpool’s Wavertree Leisure Centre on the 6th Oct, recording a time of 2:14.34. After a nervous wait to see if their time would get them to the national stage, the swimmers recently received confirmation they had qualified for the event in 23rd place and they will now have the opportunity to showcase their skills at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre in Birmingham on the 18th November. The Birmingham venue is the same one that saw British stars such as Adam Peaty, Tom Dean, Duncan Scott and Freya Anderson slug it out with the world’s best at the 2022 Commonwealth games. Whilst the St Christopher’s students won’t be racing these elite racers, they will be competing against the giants of school swimming scene, going head to head with some of the nation’s top private schools, such as Repton, Millfield, Ellesmere College and Mount Kelly.This is only the second time St. Christopher’s have made it to the national stage and it’s a huge achievement for the school.Mrs Gleave from the P.E. department at St Christopher’s has commented “as a school we are proud of the girls, to post the 23rd fastest time out of 204 qualifying times is in itself no easy feat, and with them easily winning their heat in Liverpool, I think they are capable of an even faster time against stronger competition at the national finals”Layla, Megan, Sarah and Ellamae are no strangers to success as they all swim for local swimming clubs, representing either Great Harwood Otters or Clitheroe Dolphins at a regional level. Speaking on behalf of Clitheroe Dolphins, chairman Lee Scanlan said “It’s a huge achievement for the swimmers, the school and swimming in the area, and they should be proud. All four swimmers are talented and dedicated athletes who put in a lot of hours at the training pool with their clubs to reach the levels they have, and I have no doubt they will finish much higher than the 23rd place ranking they are entering at. The school championship coincides with a series of key meets both clubs are attending, so on the back of the preparation for those they should be in peak condition for the Championships.”“Both clubs have done a great job developing swimmers in the Ribble Valley and Hyndburn and as clubs we try to help each other as much as we can, so achievements like this make that hard work and collaboration worthwhile. Hopefully this is the start of a prolonged period of swimming success for the schools in the region. It is also a chance to show youngsters that swimming is a rewarding sport and good alternative to the mainstream sports people traditionally gravitate towards.”Great Harwood Otters Committee said “Achieving the finals of the School’s Championships, is a huge achievement, for not only the swimmers and school but for their local swimming clubs. It goes to show that with all their hard work and dedication to train long hours, it has paid off in the best possible way. By attending external galas from such a young age, it has given them the confidence to be able to swim on a national scale. This is something we are extremely proud of and we are certain that they will do their absolute best making everyone super proud!” “Over the years both ourselves and Dolphins have worked extremely hard to build on swimming within our local area and this can definitely be seen here. We strive as a club to work together and to celebrate all areas of success and achievement. This enables children to see where their hard work may take them. As well as, giving swimming its own platform to show how brilliant it is. Overall, Great Harwood Otters are extremely proud and wish the girls good luck!”For those interesting in finding out about competitive swimming both, Gt Harwood Otters and Clitheroe Dolphins are looking for keen swimmers to join their squads. To find out more you can contact them on:Clitheroe Dolphins – www.clitheroedolphins.co.uk/contact-us/Gt Harwood Otters – http://otters-swimming-club.co.uk/contact-us/

Three of our swimmers obtained regional qualifying times which enabled them to compete against the best swimmers in the North West.

Megan Hacking (12) qualified for 7 events 50m, 100m, 200m Breaststroke,100m & 200m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke & 50m Butterfly.

Isaac Peet (12) qualified for 4 events 50m, 100m Freestyle,50m Backstroke & 50m Butterfly.

Ava Grimshaw (11) qualified for 3 events 50m, 100m & 200m Backstroke.

All 3 swimmers gained long course Personal Bests.

To top off the 2 successful weekends Megan swam a PB in the 50m breaststroke heat making her the fastest final qualifier in the heats. Then she absolutely smashed the final with yet another PB of 39.59 making her North West Regional Champion 2022. Congratulations Megan you have made everyone at the club so very proud.

In March we also remembered our Head Coach Derrick who sadly passed away in March 2021

Derrick Miller 5th July 1944-31st March 2021

Our first Presentation evening since March 2020 was a great success & enjoyed by all.

Great Harwood Otter Presentation Evening Awards for 2021

COACHES AWARD

GIRLS Ellamae & Holly

BOYS Joseph

MERIT AWARD

CUBS Isla

1st Group Oliver

Top Group Isaac

CUBS AWARD TOP GIRL CUB Ella Rose

TOP BOY CUB Toby

IN MEMORY OF MILLY WALMSLEY DONATED BY HER FAMILY THE MOST IMPROVED SWIMMER

Freddie

SHACKLETON OTTER FOR THE SWIMMER/S WHO HAVE BROUGHT MOST RECOGNITION TO THE CLUB

Megan & Ava

Carol & Arielle proudly presented the first recipients of the In Memory of Derrick Miller, Derrick Miller Dedication Awards to Madeleine Burnett & Jacob Hacking. Our team captains are more than worthy winners. Congratulations to you both.

Coaches Award Ellamae, Holly & Joseph

Merit Award Isla, Oliver & Isaac

Milly’s Award winner Fred

Shackelton Otter Megan & Ava

Arielle & Carol presenting the awards In Memory of Derrick Miller to Jacob & Maddie.

Thank you to all that joined us on our sponsored walk on the 13th March, the cake sale & sponsorship money raised over £900. The walk was to mark our move from Mercer hall to our new home Accrington Academy.

In January we welcomed Dylan Slater to the club taking on the role as Head Coach on a 3 month trial basis. The club & Dylan have now agreed on making this a permanent position.

Five of our swimmers recently competed at the Lancashire County Championships held in Liverpool Jacob, Joseph, Megan, Isaac & Ava. Jacob & Joseph had to achieve qualifying times for 16 year old boys as they will be 16 by the end of 2022, Megan, Isaac & Ava the times for 12 year olds. The Championships where held over 3 weekends & we were able to live steam the events on YouTube. 

First up was Ava in the 200m Backstroke competing for the first time in a 50m pool finishing in a respectable 5th position.

Megan qualified for the final of the 100m Breaststroke in 4th position finishing in 5th position in the final.

Megan went on to better that with a 4th in the 50m Breaststroke heats & finishing 3rd in the final winning a Bronze medal.

Jacob, Joseph & Isaac competed in the 50m Freestyle with Isaac also swimming in the 50m Butterfly.

Megan aslo swam 50m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke & 50m Butterfly.

Ava also swam 50m Freestyle, 50m & 100m Backstroke.

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Thank you to our sponsors KAYS for another kind donation.

As of January 5th 2022 all our training is based at Accrington Academy.

Top Group

Monday 7.00-9.00pm

Wednesday 7.00-9.00pm

Friday 7.00-9.00pm

Saturday 1.00-3.00pm

1st Group

Monday 7.00-8.30pm

Wednesday 8.00-9.00pm

Friday 8.00-9.00pm

Saturday 2.00-3.00pm

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Wednesday 7.00-8.00pm

Friday 7.00-8.00pm

Saturday 1.00-2.00pm

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Wednesday 7.00-7.30pm & 7.30-8.00pm

Friday 7.00-7.30pm & 7.30-8.00pm