In the lead up to Christmas, 9 members of Stratford Sharks most experienced competitive swimmers along with Head Coach, Mike Cole, headed up the M1 to take part in the City of Leeds Christmas Cracker Open Meet in the Olympic size 50 metre pool, for most their first Long Course meet of the season.

  With age groups of 12, 13, 14 & 15+ the competition was very tough for the Sharks as all but one were in the 15+ age group with this meet attracting an extremely strong entry in both the male and female competitions including double Olympic gold medallist Becky Adlington and fellow medal winners Jo Jackson and David Davies. In addition there was a whole host of junior and senior British Internationals present and a number of the big performance squads from both England and Scotland.

  Inspired by the calibre of opposition the Sharks rose to the occasion throughout the two days and bolstered by one of their own swimming for the powerful Loughborough University squad they delivered 8 age group club records, 28 Midland Youth Qualifying Times and 3 National Youth Qualifying Times.

  Club records fell to Emily Key (17/over 50, 100 & 200m freestyle), Becky Sherren (17/over 50m backstroke), Lawrie Mills (17/over 200m Individual Medley), George Brear (17/over 50m backstroke) and Joe Evans (15yr 50 & 100m freestyle) .

  The 28 Midland Youth Championship Qualifying Times were impressive as every swimmer achieved at least one, Emma White (4), Emma Bysouth (4), Emily Key (3), Becky Sherren (2), Lawrie Mills (4), Joe Evans (4), Michael Ankrett (3), George Brear (3) and Adam Brear (1) so there will also be a strong contingent at Coventry next year with more names sure to be added to this list with several months to go before qualifying closes.

  The three National Qualifying Times this weekend went to Club Captains Emily Key (2) and Lawrie Mills.

  The only Age Group swimmer on this occasion was Josh Walker (13) who once again built on an impressive start to his season with personal bests in each of his four events just missing a Midland Age Group Qualifying Time by 1.5 seconds in the 200m freestyle.