A FLEDGLING Redditch Swimming Club squad took to the water to compete against swimmers from across Europe and beyond at the annual two-day Netherlands Invitational Swimming Gala.
The youngest ever Redditch squad to go to the event featured eight swimmers aged between nine and 12 who competed in the Olympic-standard Pieter van den Hoogenband Swim Stadium in Eindhoven.
Redditch swimmers were up against teams from the home nation, France, Belgium, Germany, Indonesia, UK, Northern Ireland and the USA.
Coach Megan Moss went with the hopes of seeing the swimmers set some new personal best times, come away with some medals and sharing in an exciting new experience.
The swimmers achieved a huge number of personal best times, many top ten places and won 13 medals between them in Redditch SC’s fourth consecutive visit to the competition.
Leading the medal charge was 12-year-old Ashleigh Green with an amazing six gold medals (50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 50m breaststroke, 100m breaststroke, 50m butterfly and 100m individual medley).
Green also won two silver medals in her 50m and 100m backstroke races.
Riley Perry (11) won a bronze in his 100m backstroke and silver in the 50m backstroke.
Orla Power (nine) completed the set with a bronze in 50m freestyle, silver in 50m backstroke and gold in 100m backstroke.
The other Redditch swimmers were Amelia Wise (ten), Ella Loftus (11), Finley Hayden (12), Hailey Best (nine) and Owen Perry (ten).
They gained numerous PBs over the two days, won many of their heats and also achieved a collection of times which qualify them to compete in the Worcester County Championships in January.
A club spokesman said: “All of the Redditch swimmers swam beautifully. They were absolutely fantastic and a credit to Redditch SC.”
