STANWAY Swim Club will be well represented at the Essex Age Group Swimming Championships.

A total of 21 swimmers have qualified to compete for the club at the county event at venues such as the London Aquatic Centre and Basildon Sporting Village.

The Essex County Council Championships are a major swimming fixture, with many swimmers keeping their eye on qualifying times throughout the year to earn their spots.

Qualifying times are set each year by the Essex County Amateur Swimming Association, so swimmers have targets that they aim to attain.

Stanway SC is a small club with only 65 members and managed by parents.

Top swimmers are often lured to bigger clubs, causing regular changes to membership.

Head coach Tim Sharp said: “Over the past couple of years, despite comings and goings, our gala squad has sat around 25-30 swimmers - about half the membership.

"This highlights the semi-competitive nature of the club. One third of our swimmers have achieved at least one county time, showing SSC’s ability to fulfil all swimmers’ ambitions.

"Two to three swimmers also reach regional standard each year, so it is possible to swim competitively to a high standard as a youth and still enjoy participating in other sports and pastimes.”

One of Stanway SC's top swimmers, Maddie Smith of Coggeshall, is already a veteran of the counties.

The 13-year-old, who has been a member at the club since 2012, has earned places at the event in the last three years and qualified for 13 races, this year.

She said: “My main goal for this year's event is to make a final because I've been reserve finalist every year till now.

"I would also like to gain a regional time at the event. I'm feeling confident my goals are achievable.”