‘Exciting’ Swim England performance squad selected for 2022-23 season

A group of 21 ‘promising and talented’ athletes have been selected for the Swim England Performance Squad for the 2022-23 season.

The athletes selected have all shown considerable potential ahead of what is bound to be an exciting cycle as we build towards the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

They will join this group alongside the English athletes that have been selected on the British Swimming World Class Swimming Programme to continue the united ‘Team England’ feel following the success of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Seven of those included in the Swim England performance squad won medals at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham such as the likes of Greg Butler, Imogen Clark and Tokyo 2020 Olympian Alicia Wilson.

Athletes in the squad will have the opportunity to compete abroad in European Winter meets ahead of next year’s British Championships to aid their development.

The bespoke programme will allow athletes to feel supported and yet have the freedom to fit into their schedule what is required.

Para-swimmers Kieron Williams, Alfie Penfold and Claire Connon are included in the squad as Swim England’s swimming and para-swimming talent teams join together to create one inclusive development system for all its swimmers.

The trio will be supported alongside the 28 English swimmers that were included in British Swimming’s para-swimming World Class Programme that was announced last month.

The road to success

Grant Robins, Swim England’s Head of Talent – Swimming, said he was looking forward to working with the group.

He said: “We are excited to be welcoming this cohort of talented and promising swimmers onto the Swim England Performance Squad.

“This exciting group have all displayed excellent potential thus far in their careers and I feel many have the potential to compete for both England and Great Britain throughout the coming years.

“Being on the programme gives them the opportunity of competing at high-level international competition throughout the season allowing them to showcase their talent and development.”