THE adrenaline was pumping at Redditch Swimming Club on Monday when Olympic Gold medallist Matt Richards visited to meet swimmers, show his Olympic Gold and train alongside the club’s senior squads.
Matt swam the third leg in the men’s 4 x 200 freestyle relay in the Tokyo Olympics less than a month ago, the team finishing more than two seconds ahead of the rest of the world and only 0.03 seconds shy of the world record.
Matt knows Jon Fletcher, the new head coach at the club and was only to happy to go along to the club’s Abbey Stadium base.
After meeting with the junior squads Matt said: “It’s an honour and pleasure to come along to Redditch Swimming Club and hopefully inspire the younger, next generation, of swimmers.
“I’ve worked with Jon for years and consider him a close friend. I can’t wait to work further with this fantastic club.”
Jon has been a team manager for England Talent running England Phase 1 and 2 swim camps, and was added to the list of British swimming team managers in 2016.
He team managed the GB ‘Podium Potential’ squad in the Mare Nostrum event in Barcelona in 2017 and was assistant team manager for the GB senior squad to Indianapolis and returned in August that year for the World Junior Championships.
When applying for the role of head coach at Redditch Swimming Club he said: “The reason for applying for this role is simple, I have been awaiting the ‘right’ role and the ‘right’ club for a while.
“I have always admired Redditch SC from across poolside as the swimmers have a fantastic work ethic when competing, so I would think that results from a good training environment.”
The session was also attended by Emily Large.
Emily won the European Junior Championships in 2017 swimming 200 fly and competed for England in the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
She said: “I believe being part of a club gives people ‘more opportunity in life’ due to the skills that are learned.”
Redditch is a competitive swimming club training at Abbey Stadium Redditch, Studley Leisure Centre and other local pools.
