RUGBY Swimming Club’s artistic swimmers won gold and bronze competing at the National Championships in Nottingham.
A total of 18 Rugby swimmers qualified to compete at the most prestigious event on the artistic swimming calendar.
The National Championships took place at the Harvey Hadden Sports Village in Nottingham.
Rugby’s swimmers competed against some of the best artistic swimmers from across the country.
This included Team GB Olympic athletes Kate Shortman and Izzy Thorpe who both won silver at the 2024 Paris Games.
Rugby competed across four disciplines – the free duet, free team, technical team and acrobatic team events.
And Rugby’s Eve Young won gold in the senior free duet competing alongside partner Robyn Swatman of Walsall.
Rugby also secured a bronze medal in the free team event while the technical team just missed out on a place on the podium with a fourth-place finish.
The junior free duet of Lola Huett and Frankie Klym also finished fourth in their event.
Rugby’s acrobatic team placed 10th in a highly competitive field with the team’s qualification for the National Championships alone a significant achievement.
The swimmers who represented Rugby were: Rebecca Harper, Imogen Ravenhall, Tilly John, Tyra Watson, Amy Buckley, Emi Owen, Chloe Barrett-Leafe, Beatrice Banks, Saranne Black, Eve Young, Chloe Bartholomew, Olivia Barry, Darcey Townsend, Amelie Jeary, Lola Huett, Frankie Klym, Valentina Kapiris and Sophie Henry.
The National Championships are only open to swimmers aged 15 and above with swimmers required to meet rigorous national standards.
Several Rugby athletes made their first appearance at the National Championships while others competed for the final time before moving on to university.
Head Coach Hannah Secher said: “National Champs 2026 completed. A fantastic weekend of the highest level of our sport in this country.
“Year on year, Rugby continues to show up, perform and be in the mix for medals.
“I would like to say a huge congratulations to all of our qualified athletes that competed, most of whom are preparing for exams in the weeks ahead, and who proudly represent the club.
“For some, this was their first Championships. For others, their last before moving on to university.”
Anyone of any age interested in trying artistic swimming should contact Rugby’s head coach Hannah Secher at: [email protected] or visit: www.rugbysynchro.co.uk
