WHAT a weekend for the Monnow Swimming Club as they made a big splash at The Cotswold Swimming Series, reports JULIE GLYN-JONES.

The Monmouth-based club, which is celebrating its 50th birthday this July, qualified for The Cotswold showcase for the first time ever this year

Competing with 19 large swimming clubs from the Cotswolds and surrounding areas. their amazing swimmers made it through the four rounds to qualify for the A series final in seventh place.

And following some outstanding swimming from the team, they finished in fifth place overall, ahead of big clubs like Clevedon and City of Bristol.

The weekend also brought success for three of the Monnow swimmers at the Swim Wales National Championships in Swansea, with one of their swimmers making it to the final of the 50m fly.

This follows on from successes at multiple competitions that Monnow have attended so far this year, resulting in seven gold, four silver and six bronze medals and a second place finish at The PP Cars Gala in Pontypool earlier this month.

Club chairman Alun Parker said: “The dedication and commitment of our swimmers, coaches, volunteers and parents is the reason why our club is becoming more and more successful and able to take on the big clubs. I am so proud of all our amazing swimmers!”

Founded in 1975 by Shelia and Alan Roberts, the club has gone from strength to strength, with 118 swimmers currently, up from a post-Covid membership of 40.

Monnow SC train five evenings a week and their swimmers range from 7-18 years old.

The club is always looking for young, new swimmers to join who are keen to help build on the club’s successes, and anyone who would like further information about joining can email the membership secretary at [email protected]