Swimming Team Excels at ESSA National Finals
On Saturday 16 November, the RGS Under 15 Girls Swimming team competed in the ESSA Secondary Schools Team Relay National Finals at the Sandwell Academy Pool, which hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2023.
The competition began with the Freestyle relay heats, where the girls started well, pushing hard to maintain a solid position throughout the race. Their efforts secured a 10th place final qualification, demonstrating determination and potential. In the final, the team matched their qualification performance with another 10th place finish. While satisfied with their effort, the swimmers felt they could push even further and looked forward to the Medley relay with high hopes.
The Medley relay proved to be a highlight of the day for the team. They swam an excellent race in the heats, demonstrating skill and technique to secure a 7th place qualification for the final. Building on their earlier success, the girls delivered a sensational performance in the final, climbing to an impressive 5th place finish. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the level of competition they faced. The four schools ahead of them are known as “swimming schools,” renowned for their elite-level training and performance. Despite this, the RGS team rose to the occasion and proudly represented their School, earning admiration from spectators and other competitors alike.
The girls’ accomplishments in the pool reflect their dedication, teamwork, and resilience. They not only qualified and competed in two highly competitive finals but also improved their standings significantly in the Medley relay. The team’s effort and spirit were a source of immense pride for their school, proving that hard work and determination can shine even against the toughest of competition.
Congratulations to the team for their outstanding performances! Their journey in the ESSA Secondary Swimming Relays National Finals will undoubtedly inspire others to aim high and strive for excellence in the pool.
Our very grateful thanks to our Swimming Academy coaches, Mr Hill and Mr Fletcher.
If you would like to watch the RGS Swimming team in action, then you can view the full live stream here.
Mr Stuart Davis, Head of Swimming
