Impressive Squad of King’s Swimmers Shine at ESSA Championships

The first school swimming gala of the year took place on Tuesday afternoon at Malvern College, where pupils from The King’s School Worcester competed in the divisional round of the annual English Schools Swimming Association (ESSA) Team Relays Championships.

This prestigious national competition invites secondary schools from across the country to enter boys’ and girls’ teams in three age groups: Junior (Year 7 & 8), Inter (Year 9 & 10), and Senior (Year 11–13).

Thanks to the rapidly growing enthusiasm for swimming at King’s, Head of Swimming, Mr Chris Jenkinson, and Aquatics Teacher, Mrs Monkhouse, were delighted to take an impressive squad of 47 pupils, fielding 11 relay teams – with at least two teams competing in every age category.

Although the gala was held very early in the term, giving the new Year 7 pupils limited time to practise relay dives and changeovers, they rose brilliantly to the challenge. Each swimmer demonstrated not only great technique but also outstanding team spirit, determination, and sportsmanship throughout the afternoon.

All races were 4 x 50m relays, either Freestyle (Front Crawl) or Medley (Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly, and Freestyle), against strong opposition including Bristol Grammar School and RGS Worcester. The King’s teams swam with confidence and determination, securing a number of strong results.

As is tradition with ESSA events, all times from galas held nationwide will be collated into one overall leader board. Schools must now wait patiently to see which of their relay teams have qualified for the ESSA National Finals, set to take place at the Commonwealth Games Pool, Sandwell Aquatics Centre, on Saturday 15th November.

A huge well done goes to the following pupils who took part and represented KSW so well:

Emma G, Izzy R, Rosie W, Izzy W, Olivia G, Noah B, Charles C, Noah L, Alfie E, James B, Shreya V, Pippa P, Thea E, Scarlett W, Amelia B, Helena C, Fliss T, Ellie R, Teddy C, Harry C, Sam M, Jonas H, Matthew P, Edith D, Cleo F, Freddie P, Rowan T, Joe O’L, Isaac P, Lara J, Mia G, Isabella W, Cecily J, Sophie P, Grace R, Catherine H, Lucie E, Sophie E, Oli S, John E, Alex M, Taym A, James C, Harry C, Ben G, Aled L and Dylan L.

Reflecting on the event, Mr Jenkinson said: “I’m delighted to have been able to bring so many pupils to one of the most important events in our swimming calendar. It is fantastic to see the progress they have made in just a year, and I am particularly pleased for our Year 8 pupils, who have embraced the Swimming Academy programme and are now seeing the benefits of their commitment to early morning training for King’s, as well as for their club too.”

Special thanks go to Mrs Monkhouse and Miss Ward for their invaluable support on poolside, as well as to all the parents who came to cheer on the pupils. The King’s Worcester Swimming Academy coaching team are already looking forward to preparing the swimmers for their next competition.