Selected Nova swimmers visit Sandwell Aquatics Centre

Nova swimmers were selected to take part in a special test weekend at the brand-new Sandwell Aquatics Centre in Birmingham. Freya Colbert kicked off three days of swimming at Smethwick’s new 50-metre pool with a training session with her England Commonwealth team mates on Friday. The following day Owen Say, Livia Kingsland, Megan Speirs, Iona Colbert, Connie Phillips and Evie Johnson were among 250 representatives from clubs around the country who took part in the Swim England talent team’s Prep the Pool meet in front of 3,500 spectators. Finally on Sunday, Jessica Brandom, Daniel Walker, Ermita Balnyte and Evie Johnson attended the Swim England development squad’s training day at the pool. The test events were held to give organisers the chance to test out the venue facilities and the logistics of a big meet ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games in July.

Nova director of swimming Nathan Hilton, who visited the new pool on Friday, said: “Sandwell is an amazing new facility and it was fantastic to have so many Nova swimmers selected to be there to be among the first to try it out ahead of the Commonwealth Games. It was a brilliant experience for them all.”