A smaller than usual Spencer contingent headed to Sheffield on 24-26th October for the Swim England Masters Short Course National Championships 2025. Godfrey Admans, Guy Emerson, Matthew Taylor, John Fitzgerald and Amanda Heath were representing Spencer, with Robyn Le Friec, Michael Read, Tony Cherrington, Clive Benson and Alan Parkins representing other clubs on this occasion.
It was the backstroke events which brought in the most medals, with John winning gold in the 100m back and bronze in the 50m in the 50-54 age group. John also swam in the 50m and 100m fly: “I was really pleased with all my races, and they were all PBs since I started back swimming again. It has really helped me train with Spencer over the past few months, and it has been nice to be able to swim some 100m races again”, he said.
Godfrey (70-74) won silver in the 100m back and bronze in the 50m, in season’s best times. Still on backstroke, there were bronzes for Guy (60-64) in the 50m with a 32.64, his fastest time for 6 years, and Matthew (55-59) in the 200m. Alan won the 65-69 50m gold in a lifetime best of 33.27 and also took silver in the 50m and 100 fly.
In the 80-84 age group, Tony won silver in the 50m free, while Michael medalled in 6 of his 7 events, with silver in the 400m & 800m free, 200m & 400m IM and bronze in the 1500m free and 50m fly.
The girls won 2 golds each, with Robyn (35-39) winning the 100m and 200m fly, and taking bronze in the 50m, and Amanda (65-69) winning the 100m breast and 200m IM, with a silver in the 800m free. Amanda said “I normally have a full programme of 8 individuals and a few relays, but this year I experimented with just 3 events and swam on the Sunday only. It definitely worked for the 100m breast, as it was a season’s best by 2.5 seconds. I think the 800m directly afterwards was an event too many though!”.
Robyn, Alan and Tony also won multiple relay medals for their respective teams.
This major event in the Masters Calendar saw Trafford Metro win the Otter trophy for Top Team for the 4th consecutive year, and many World, European and British records broken.