Titles, promotion and relegation on the line at County Team Championships

Anticipation is building ahead of one of the most exciting events on the swimming calendar, as the Swim England National County Team Championships returns to Ponds Forge on Sunday 6 October.

More than 1,100 swimmers will represent 37 counties across two divisions.

Twenty counties will challenge for the Division One title, while 17 will battle for Division Two honours.

There is plenty more at stake than just silverware, though, with the bottom four teams from Division One to be relegated for the 2020 competition, while the top four teams from Division Two will replace them.

Yorkshire are the county to beat in Division One, having been crowned champions for the last three consecutive years.

They retained their title with a comprehensive 66-point victory in 2018, winning six races throughout the day, including the Mixed 6x50m Freestyle.

Yorkshire can again expect a tough challenge from a Scotland West squad which features European Junior Championships bronze medallist, Katie Shanahan.

Meanwhile, 2018 Division Two champions Cheshire will be joined by Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Shropshire in the top flight.

Shrosphire will make their first appearance in Division One for 45 years, while Derbyshire’s squad is bolstered by European Junior representatives Jacob Whittle and Mia Slevin.

Live from Ponds Forge

A packed crowd is expected in Sheffield, but spectators at home across Great Britain won’t have to miss out on any of the action.

All races from both Division One and Division Two will be streamed on the Swim England Live Stream page, with non-stop swimming across two pools.

You can also keep up with the live scoreboard and full results, while full replays can be purchased through Vimeo following the competition.