Welcome to the City of Birmingham Swimming Club

Latest Club News on Friday 18th of May 2012

Derventio Excel Open Meet 28th & 29th April Close >

Over the weekend of April28/29 the City Of Birmingham Junior Squad competed at Sheffield. It was a very successful weekend with the squad achieving numerous National & Midlands times, coming away with a very impressive medal haul of 21 Gold, 17 Silver & 18 Bronze Medals.

Special mentions go to Ryan Andrews who came 3rd in the 11 year old Bagcat award, and to Victoria Long who won the 11 year old Bagcat awards, with Lauren Wall achieving 3rd place in the same age group as well. It was a fantastic weekend and the Junior squad showed they are a force to be reckoned with!

The Juniors will now refocus for the next 5 weeks until the Midland Age Groups where we hope to replicate the same level of professionalism as this weekend.

Well done to all!

CoB SC Synchro Swimmer Selected for London 2012 Close >

Congratulations to City of Birmingham Synchro swimmer Yvette Baker who has been chosen to represent GB at this year's London Olympics. You can read more about the team on the British Swimming website.

Well done Yvette!

Birmingham Sports Council Supports CoB SC Close >

The Speed Swimming Squad have, with the generous support of Birmingham Sports Council, recently purchased a heart rate monitor for use in training. The coaching staff would like to express their thanks for the Council's contribution to this very useful piece of equipment.

City of Milton Keynes Open Meet 28th-29th April 2012 Read More >

On the 28th and 29th April the Development Squad travelled to the Milton Keynes Level 2 Open Meet for their first away meet as a squad. With such great performances at City of Birmingham Open earlier in the month it was always going to be difficult to improve on these but the swimmers performed even more skilfully than they had just three weeks earlier, recording 66 best times as a result.

Over the weekend four new Midland Age Group qualifying times were posted with Tom Page (200IM), Oliver Lillycrop (200back) and Aristea Knight (100breast) all adding to events they will already be swimming at the Championships. Special note must go to Roan Griffiths who recorded his first ever Midland qualifying time in style on the 200 back and was close to adding a couple more.

As a result of this skilful and fast swimming, the development squad came away with an impressive medal haul of 12 Gold, 15 Silver and 10 Bronze medals against some strong opposition.

The progress all swimmers have made on their race skills and technique over the past few months has been outstanding but they will be working hard to improve on these even more before the upcoming Midland Age Group Championships in June and the end of season Portsmouth meet in July.

Chris Littler, Development Coach

City of Birmingham Open Meet - April 2012 Read More >

City of Birmingham swimmers once again stepped up to the plate at our own annual open meet with some great results. The meet is always a fantastic opportunity to post some quick short course times and proof of that came with over 100 PB's for City of Birmingham swimmers.

Among the City of Birmingham team were our new Development Squad who were representing us for the first time. It was great to see the Development Squad starting to put their new skills into practice and getting some massive best times as a result. All 3 squads recorded some super quick times from the promising up and coming 9 year olds to the big 19 year old boys setting some quality times.

Bradley Lynch was busy rewriting the record book once again with 5 West Midland records (200 IM, 400 IM, 100 FR, 200 FR, 400 FR) and 1 Warwickshire record (200 Fly). City of Birmingham Junior Squad coach Adam Taylor didn't know whether to laugh or cry as he watched Bradley take his own 400 IM West Midland record!

The meet was exceptionally run throughout the 4 days by the many dedicated volunteers. I am sure all swimmers, coaches, parents and officials that attended would agree it was another great meet.

Carl Grosvenor, Head Coach

Andrew Gould Sweeps All Before Him Read More >

Andrew Gould from City of Sheffield Swimming Club had his most successful City of Birmingham Open Meet this year since entering for the first time four years ago. He has consistently won the 'Les Hayes Trophy' for the best performance by a disability swimmer for the last three years for his setting and breaking of S10 GB Junior records. No change this year, with Andrew breaking his own S10 GB record in winning the level 3 200m backstroke final in 2:27.25.

To add to his haul of trophies he also won the 'Andy Jackson Trophy' as 'Iron Man of the Meet' for swimming the most events at the meet - a staggering 21 swims - 10 heats, 10 finals and 1 HDW. In his finals he scooped 4 golds, 1 silver and 3 bronze medals as well as winning his HDW event. His tally of points in the heats meant that Andrew also picked up the Top Boy award for age group C (13+ years) with a grand total of 54 from a possible 66 points. All this bearing in mind Andrew was swimming against able bodied swimmers in his level 3 events.

Congratulations to Andrew from all at the City of Birmingham Swimming Club. Andrew is pictured above receiving the 'Les Hayes Trophy' in 2009.

Bradley Gets First GB Selection! Read More >

Following his record breaking 1500 Freestyle at the recent Olympic Trials Bradley Lynch has been selected to represent Great Britain at the LEN World Open Water Cup in Eilat, Israel. The event, which will be held in May, is an opportunity for Britain's best distance swimmers to test themselves against the world's best on the open water scene. Britain are world leaders in Open Water swimming which makes Bradley's selection even better. The GB coaching staff will be looking for the next generation of Open Water champions and Bradley, as the youngest male on the team, will be eager to make the most of his opportunity.

Congratulations on your selection from all at City of Birmingham and Good Luck!!!

The London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Celebrations Read More >

Anyone interested in attending the Olympic Torch Relay Celebrations in Birmingham's Canon Hill Park on Saturday 30th June 2012 needs to register their details HERE.

Olympic Trials Update Read More >

Congratulations to City of Birmingham's Bradley Lynch who set a new West Midlands Junior LC Record of 16.05.41 in the 1500 freestyle (setting a Warwickshire County Junior LC record at the same time and a new Warwickshire County Junior LC Record of 8:35.77 for the 800 freestyle during the race).

Olympic Trials Update Read More >

City of Birmingham's Josh Winnicott made history when he became the first competitive swimmer to touch the timing pads in first position - when he swam 4.42.16 and won the first heat of the 400IM at the British Championships/Olympic Trials in the London Aquatic Centre. Josh then recorded 1.08.32 in the 100m Breast while 15Yrs old City of Birmingham teammate Bradley Lynch followed with times of 4.01.59 and 1.53.40 in the 400m and 200m Freestyle events respectively - which broke the Junior Long Course Midland District/W Midlands Region Records which have stood for nearly 30 years.

Well done to both!

Olympic Trials - The Final Countdown! Read More >

City of Birmingham's five qualifiers were in relaxed mood judging by this picture after another training session gets ticked off en route to London. Richard Spoor, Daniel Ruckwood, Bradley Lynch, Joshua Winnicott and Givenchy Sneekes are now honing their race skills in preparation for the March Trials.

Bad news did however come to the club with confirmation from the British Swimming Technical Committee that Daniel Evans 1.04.2 100 Breaststoke time would not be accepted for entry for the British Championships as it was swam as part of a 200 Breaststroke, despite being 0.5 seconds under the qualifying time.

City of Derby Open Meet 14th-15th January 2012 Read More >

Over the weekend of 14th-15th January three more City of Birmingham swimmers dipped under the the qualification standards for the Olympic Trials, ensuring they will be racing at the London Aquatics Centre this March. Dan Ruckwood (200bk), Dan Evans (100brst) and Givenchy Sneekes (100fr) qualified in style, all 3 were lifetime bests and Givenchy's time of 58.00 in the 100 freestyle was also a Warwickshire Junior Long Course record.

As well as the qualification success for Olympic Trials, Birmingham swimmers also racked up a whole host of Medal winning performances as well as several swimmers acheiving new National Age Group and National Youth Championship qualifying times, some for the first time. City of Birmingham also again finished as top West Midlands club in the final 'Top Club' standings.

Swimmers will now turn their attentions to the upcoming Central Zonal Championships, Midland Distance Swimming time trials and of course March's Olympic Trials.

Plymouth Leander Open Meet - 16th-18th December 2011 Read More >

City of Birmingham SC took 37 of its swimmers to the annual Plymouth Leander Open Meet at Millfield School, Somerset.

While some swimmers were experiencing their first high quality Open Meet like this with the City of Birmingham's performance squad, some of the club's older swimmers were using this meet as a yardstick of their progress towards the Olympic Trials in March. Several of the squad's swimmers are already qualified for the Olympic trials, which will be the inaugural meet held at the new London Aquatics Centre in the Olympic park, but several more will be looking to get their shot at the trials by qualifying over the next 5 weeks.

City of Birmingham, lead by Head Coach Carl Grosvenor and Assistant Coach Adam Taylor, came away from the meet with the Top Visiting Club award as well as many Personal Best swims and new National Championship Qualifying times.

Swimmers and Coaches will now be working hard through Christmas and New Year with the focus now on continuing the young swimmers' excellent progress as well as challenging the best in Britain at the Olympic Trials.

2011 Midland Short Course Championships Read More >

City of Birmingham SC sent its 17 qualifiers to the Midland Short Course Championships (3rd/4th December) at Corby International Pool. Despite not being fully rested for the meet the City of Birmingham squad were in record breaking form. As well as picking up 4 Gold, 9 Silver and 5 Bronze medals Birmingham swimmers broke 4 all time West Midland records, 7 all time Warwickshire records and 2 all time Worcestershire records. As well as this Bradley Lynch also won Junior Male 'performance of the meet' award.

Congratulations to all who competed, especially medal winners and record breakers. Hard work always pays off!

ASA National Age Group Synchronised Swimming Championships Read More >

The Synchro Section had a tremendous weekend at Gloucester’s GL1 Leisure Centre competing in the British Gas ASA National Age Group Synchronised Swimming Championships. The event included an exciting performance by the GB Synchronised Swimming Team who will compete in the Olympics next year.

Our first group, swimming on the opening day of the competition, was the 13/14 team who won gold in the Recreational Free Combination competition with a score of 58.620 earned by their best ever performance of this year's routine.

The 12 & under team opened the final day and won a well deserved bronze medal against stiff opposition. Finally, in an thrilling climax to the weekend, our 19 & Under team secured a gold medal with a score of 62.350 awarded for their lively and fun routine.

All of these winning routines will be performed at our Christmas Display at Stechford Cascades on 18th December along with the other routines on which the girls and coaches have worked so hard this year.

2011 Midlands Synchro Championships Read More >

City of Birmingham SC Synchro Section enjoyed success at this year's Midlands Championships. Superb performances secured 9 gold, 9 silver and 5 bronze medals.

Birmingham made a clean sweep of the Championship Solo competition with Jessica Campbell taking gold, Lucy Ridge silver and Katie King bronze. Jessica and Lucy also took gold in the Championship Duet.

Other highlights included golds for Phoebe Bradley Smith in both the 13-14 figures and solo events; gold for the 15-17 team routine; silver for Jodie Norton in the 12 & Under Figures; silver for Melanie Whitburn in the 12 & Under Solo and silver for Melanie Whitburn in the 12 & Under Solo.

Full results can be found HERE and more photos are available HERE.

19th City of Birmingham SC Easter Open Meet 2012 Read More >

Full details of the 2012 City of Birmingham Swimming Club Open Meet (6th - 9th April 2012) are now available. The closing date for entries is midnight on Friday the 2nd March 2012. Please use the 'Open Meet 2012' link on the right of this page to access more information.

Water Polo: Worthing Win Thriller Against Exeter Read More >

Undefeated Caledonia will progress to Championship 2 alongside Exeter, Worthing, Birmingham and South Derbyshire after the Division One finale at Walsall (15/16 October).

There were close matches involving the top sides. Worthing and Exeter reached 13-13 in a game that had been even all the way before Elan Stark claimed the winner for Worthing with 34 seconds remaining. Andy Margetts scored eight for Exeter.

Caledonia trailed early on against Birmingham and the match was all square at 6-6 at the halfway stage. Then Caledonia took control, easing clear to win 12-9, including three goals by Mark Speed.

At the other end of the table, Otter recorded an exciting first win - 12-11 against fellow strugglers Swindon Dolphin. It was 8-8 after three periods. Otter then raced into a 12-8 lead, only for Swindon to play catch-up in the late stages. Their final goal - from four-goal Matt Elliott - came a minute from the end.

Water Polo: Caledonia, Birmingham Lead Championship Qualifiers Read More >

Caledonia, Birmingham and Exeter are guaranteed top five places and progression to Championship 2 in the second half of the season following the latest Division 3 weekend at Walsall (1 October).

Worthing will join them if they take one more point in their remaining matches against University of Bristol and Exeter, leaving South Derbyshire and the University to contend the final place.

Caledonia comfortably maintained their 100 per cent record at Walsall. They hammered Worthing 6-1 in the final quarter to win 16-9, with Alasdair Campbell (5), Callum Fraser (4) and Andrew Woodall (3) the main scorers. Then Alasdair Campbell bagged six more against Exeter, who went down 13-8.

Birmingham also have a perfect record after five games. Ben Cartwright and Gary Tonks claimed hat-tricks in a 13-9 defeat of University of Bristol. It was far from straightforward against South Derbyshire, who led 10-9 in the third period but then subsided and were beaten 15-11. Our picture shows Rob Williams, of South Derbyshire, battling for possession with Birmingham's Gary Tonks.

Andy Margetts scored six in Exeter’s 16-7 success against Otter.

Aquaforce Award for CoB SC Chairman Dave Corbett Read More >

At Boldmere's 2011 Club Championships at Stechford on 24th September, long-serving stalwart of swimming in Birmingham and the West Midlands - and current Chair of City of Birmingham - Dave Corbett was (re)presented with his 2011 Aquaforce for Outstanding Contribution at Regional/County Level by Boldmere Paralympian Star, Ellie Simmonds. To accompany the award, Boldmere also asked Ellie to present Dave with a framed copy of the citation which the club compiled after consulting distinguished and established Warwickshire County and West Midlands Regional representatives. A copy of the citation which summarises some of Dave's attributes can be viewed HERE.

Congratulations Dave - and Thanks!. The award and framed citation are a small recognition of the commitment you have shown to the sport in our region for over 30 years.

UK School Games 2011: 2nd - 4th September Read More >

City of Birmingham swimmer Bradley Lynch has just returned from a successful UK School Games where he won 3 Bronze Medals while representing England Central. Bradley's 3 Bronze Medals came in the 400m Freestyle, 4x100 Freestyle Relay and 4x200 Freestyle Relay.

Bradley's 400 Freestyle time was superb considering how early this meet is in the season and once again saw him dip under the Olympic Trials Qualifying time.

Bradley helped England Central (253 points) on their way to winning the Competition just ahead of England South (249 points).