Our first training weekend of 2025 was a big hit with the 37 swimmers in attendance. It was a new experience for us all training at the fantastic pool at the Alan Higgs Centre in Coventry.
This was the first camp as full members for Gabriel Kenchington (RTW Monson SC), Amy Henson (Wycombe & District SC), Joe Edwards (Verulam ASC) and Grace Hone (Fareham Nomads). They did extremely well keeping up with the pace and joining in with all the activities. Identified as potential talent from their performances at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships, they have stepped up and achieved selection to the British squad for 2025. We also welcomed Zak Pankhurst (Hackney Aquatics) as he continues to impress.
The swimmers were thrilled to meet up so early in the new year, and worked hard on skills, timed racing, stamina and fitness, with a total of 5 hours swimming, and strength and conditioning with Sandra. They should all be incredibly proud of their full-on effort and focus for the whole of their busy weekend, straight after the festive break.
We were honoured on Sunday to meet our new sponsors OSB Group at the Coventry Rugby Club Butts Park Arena. (Coventry RFC are in partnership with the OSB Group company, Charter Savings Bank.) We were treated to lunch and a very warm welcome from the team and OSB – we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Jonathan Couch and Honor Chivers (OSB Group) and to Emma Sharp, director of CRFC and to the Coventry RFC general manager Matthew Cannon and his hospitality team. We were delighted to meet some members of Archies Smile, a local DS support group, who came along to meet the swimmers and listen to talks given by various DSS-GB members about their swimming journeys.
Christopher McDonnell was presented with an extra special award for his remarkable resolve and determination to recover and return to form after major medical treatment. We are so proud to see him back in training. Mark Evens, DSS-GB captain, was presented with the DSS-GB Swimmer of the Year trophy for 2024. He is a great role model, inspiring the whole squad as a performer and a leader. He encourages, motivates and reassures in the call room and beyond, consistently delivering in the pool at a very high level giving every ounce of effort.
Later in the afternoon, we were treated to a very effective yoga session with Juliet Walford, to wind down after a tough training weekend. The swimmers were shown how to breathe, stretch and relax, finishing with a lavender infused lie-down. What’s not to love?! Mark was particularly pleased to share a yoga space with Toby Trinder, Coventry RFC 1st team player.
Toby and the Coventry community team followed up the yoga with a rugby themed session for our swimmers out on the pitch.
Amazing that there was still energy left in the swimmers’ tanks, especially in near freezing conditions.
We look forward to building on this supportive partnership and are excited already for our Coventry training camp in January 2026. Maybe we will see some of the rugby team in the pool!
