Borough's BEST making a splash

They call themselves the BEST and now they have the silverware to prove it. 20 rising stars from Wigan’s Borough Elite Swimming Team pooled their resources to make a big splash at the recent Lancashire County Championships.

The youngsters returned from the four day event at the Manchester Aquatics Centre with an incredible 85-medal haul, earning the club third place. Formed only four years ago, the club is rapidly adding to the borough’s reputation as a swimming centre of excellence. Two members – Alice McCall and Charlotte Dickinson – have just competed in the British Championships at Sheffield.

Coach Les France is thrilled to see his young stars performing so well: “I was really proud of our performance at the county championships. There were many personal bests achieved and two of our swimmers finished in the top three in their age groups.”

The aim of the elite programme is to develop swimmers from ASA level 10 upwards. BEST swimmers have achieved honours at every level: local; regional; national and, of course, international.

Elite swimming coach Les France

In the 20 years he’s been involved with the local swimming scene, former international swimmer Les has seen 25 of his protégés also achieve international honours – and he’s keen to see more. But with the club set to lose its training HQ - Wigan International Pool will close on 31 August to make way for a brand new pool - what does the future have in store for Les France and his 2012 London Olympic hopefuls?

“It will be a great loss to us,” admits Les. “But we are looking to the future and putting plans in place to address this, with long-course training camps for our elite swimmers. “The council is showing its support through the Leisure Trust’s Scheme of Excellence, and is pulling out all the stops to address the shortfall of pool-time and facilities that the loss of the pool will create.

“While we await the excellent new facility in Wigan, we’ll continue the great progress we have made in the previous two years.”

For more details about the Borough Elite Swimming Team, visit http://www.wigan-best.org.uk (external link)

Get in the swim in the borough

You don’t have to be an elite swimmer to take the plunge. Under 16s and over 60s can take to the water at their local public pool for free, in a scheme that has won national praise. And for the not so young or old, the Lifestyle card qualifies you for the borough’s biggest health and fitness network, with discounts available on a variety of sporting activities. It’s easy to apply. Simply download an application form at www.wlct.org or pick up a form from your local leisure centre or library.