WYRE Forest Swimming Club is celebrating the massive achievements of two of its swimmers.

Kidderminster boys Nathaniel Crowther and Robert Darbyshire, both aged 15, obtained national swimming qualifying times and represented their club at the National Winter Championships.

This year’s championships were held at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, Sheffield, from December 14 -16.

It is the biggest English swimming meet of the winter months, with some of Britain’s top senior swimmers involved including Siobhan-Marie O’Connor, Olympic Silver and Commonwealth Gold medallist; James Guy, Olympic Silver medallist and European Champion; James Wilby, Commonwealth Gold medallist and Sarah Vasey, Commonwealth Gold medallist.

Almost 900 swimmers competed in the competition with all swimming events being streamed live.

This was a new, exciting and nerve wracking experience for both boys with Nathaniel qualifying in the 200m backstroke and Rob in the 400m freestyle.

Both boys rose to the occasion, both managing to produce personal best times, Nathaniel in 2.12.56 and Rob in 4.11.42, meaning it was the fastest they had ever swum their events and the fastest recorded in the West Midlands region for their age group events in 2018.