Two swimmers from Richmond Dales ASC have been selected for a prestigious talent programme run by Swim England.
Joe Field and Archie Hare, both aged 12 years old. swim in the club’s para squad.
Joe, who has dwarfism and Archie, who is visually impaired, both qualified for the National Para Championships last year and their successes in the pool have led to them both being selected for Swim England’s Foundation Talent Programme 2020-21.
They join a squad of only 56 other swimmers in the country who have achieved this accolade.
Having been selected to attend the North East Regional Para Talent Camps in 2020, both have now moved on to the next stage of the talent pathway with selection onto the programme.
Richmond Dales para coach Zoe Cowan said: “I am very proud of both Joe & Archie for all the hard work they have put into their training in the last 12 months.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for them both. Their positive approach and commitment inspires others and they both show that anything is possible with hard work and determination no matter what hurdles you have to overcome.”
The club, which trains at both the Richmondshire Leisure Trust pool and Catterick Leisure Centre, set up its para swimming squad in 2019.
The aim is to support swimmers with physical, intellectual and visual impairments to achieve their potential in the sport.
The squad currently has five members but the aim is for the club to recruit more para swimmers to its ranks and to become a hub for para swimming in the North-East.
Chairman of Richmond Dales ASC, Richard Palmer-Jones, said: “We are incredibly proud of the achievements of Archie & Joe in gaining national recognition within their sport.
“Our aim as a club is to provide an inclusive environment where every swimmer can follow their dream – and in Archie and Joe’s case that is to represent GB at the very highest level.
“Our incredible coaching team deserve great credit for helping Archie & Joe and countless others pursue their dreams – well done to one and all.”
If you are a swimmer with a physical impairment and are currently having swimming lessons and would be interested in experiencing training with a competitive para swimming squad contact Richmond Dales ASC at admin@rdasc.org.uk
