Britain’s top young swimmers to battle it out in Sheffield

The British Summer Championships return for 2022 for the seven-day event at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre in Sheffield.

It marks the return of the competition for the first time in three years with the top young swimmers from all across Britain set to compete from 22 July to 28 July.

The event makes it return to English soil too, after the Tollcross ISC in Glasgow hosted the last running of the competition in 2019.

The 24 top-ranked swimmers in each event and each age grouping have been invited to attend the Championships, except for the 800m and 1500m events, where the top 18 have been invited.

Entries have been chosen based on performances recorded in the qualification window from March 11 to 8 May.

There is a change for the competition from previous years after the decision was made to change the age groups for the first time since 2014.

The 17/18-year age group has now been split into two individual age groups for both males and females.

The hope is that the format change will help give greater opportunities for quality racing to a larger number of swimmers by having separate events for both groups.   

Age groups for the event are now as follows, 13/14yrs, 15yrs, 16yrs, 17yrs, 18yrs & 19+.

‘A stepping stone to international swimming’

Swim England’s head of swimming talent, Richard Blackshaw, is excited for the event, saying that the meeting is key to swimmers development.

He said: “The British and English Summer Nationals provide so many important opportunities for swimmers development, ones that has not been available since COVID.

“The meets will provide racing experiences at both British and Home Nation levels to develop arena skills and compete at an end of summer competition.

“Swimmers will have the opportunity of competing in a seven-day meet which will provide valuable experience of self-management through Pre pool, post pool with warm up and swim downs.”

Speaking on what the event means to the swimmers he said: “We sincerely hope that this meet provides inspiration and motivation for swimmers of Britain to continue their journey in our amazing sport.

“Events like this help reward the many seasons of hard work and perseverance from all those taking part and are a great stepping stone into international swimming.”

Following the Speedo British Summer Championships, Ponds Forge will then host the Speedo Swim England National Summer Meet from 5 to 8 August as the season comes towards it’s close.

Find out more information about the Speedo British Summer Championships, including how to get tickets, on the British Swimming website.