Swimmers at Ellesmere College Titans have bounced back from lockdown with a series of inaugural home club ASA licensed meets.

The events have been the first opportunity during the pandemic for the elite swimmers to record official times on the Swim England national rankings.

Club meets secretary Rachel Neaves said: “These sort of events are only possible with the support of the many volunteer parents.

"Without their full support we would not have gained the necessary qualifications to host a licensed event.

"On behalf of the club and swimmers I’d like to say a huge thank you for the many hours of dedication they put in. We are already looking forward to holding similar licensed events in the autumn.”

The club will be attending its first Open Meet, the West Midlands Summer Festival being held on July 24-25 at the Alan Higgs Centre in Coventry.

Sarah D’Ammassa, parent of one swimmer said: “After such a frustrating year, it was fantastic for the children to be back doing what they love.

"It’s a testament to the Titans’ programme, that despite the adversity swimmers faced nationally due to persistent lockdowns and breaks in routine training, Titan swimmers have really excelled and achieved times they can be very proud of.

"Those early mornings during lockdown doing online workouts with the coaches really paid off. The community spirit of the club lived on despite the distance between many members, some who were living abroad during the worst of the pandemic.”

Swimmer Emily Wynne said: “It’s been amazing getting the opportunity to race again after such a tough year. The support from the club during the lockdowns has been incredible.

"I came back fitter and stronger. After only being back in the water for three months I’m better than I was before. I can’t thank my coaches and team mates enough for helping me to believe in myself.

"I’m really looking forward to the West Midlands Regional Summer Festival next week, and I am so excited to be joining the programme full time in September. The opportunity that Ellesmere College Titans has given me is life changing.”

Titan swimmers are excited to be following recent Ellesmere College Titan alumni Freya Anderson, Cassie Wild and Hector Pardoe who are competing at this year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo.