THREE swimmers from West Dorset Swimming Club in Dorchester have received invitations to take part in British and English National Championships, held at Ponds Forge, Sheffield this summer.

This is a huge achievement for swimmers from a relatively small club, showing that, with the club coaches’ motivation and the swimmers’ hard work, the highest level of competition can be achieved.

Henry Wyrill, 15, from Bridport, commutes to Dorchester to train four days a week.

After a top performance at the recent South West Regional Finals in May, Wyrill continued his great form at the recent Plymouth Level One open meet, taking second place in both the 100-metre and 200m backstroke finals.

Wyrill is currently ranked 22nd in Great Britain for his 50m backstroke and it is this race that he has gained the all-important qualifying time for the British Championships in July.

He competed in 2016 at the British Championships in the same race.

Wyrill will then compete again in the English Nationals this August, in the 100m and 200m backstroke.

He is currently training hard to ensure that next year, he qualifies for the British Championships in not only the 50m, but 100m and 200m backstroke events too.

The dream for Wyrill, is for a GB team selection one day and to compete at the Olympics.

Lauren McRobbie, 13, from Dorchester, put in an impressive performance at the South West age group regional finals, finishing in fourth place in the final for the girls 13-and-under 50m freestyle, with a time of 27.53 seconds.

With this performance, McRobbie gained the required qualifying time for the English National Championships. She is currently ranked 14th in England for the 50m freestyle in her age group.

McRobbie has been with the club since the age of nine and has worked upwards through the different squads, winning medals at various open meets across the South West, at the Dorset County Championships, as well as competing in regional finals.

McRobbie is a sport lover, who enjoys playing netball and competing in athletics and would love to be involved in sport as a career in future.

Amie Buttle, 20, from Dorchester, started swimming for the club when she was just five years old and obtained her well-deserved qualification time for the 800m freestyle event at the English Nationals this year, after just missing out the last few years.

Unfortunately, Buttle, who is currently studying Medical Engineering at the University of Surrey, will miss out on her dream this year, as she has accepted a summer job in America.

However Buttle, who trains with Guildford Swimming Club during term time, was also within touching distance this year on English National qualifying times for 100m backstroke and 200m freestyle.

But she is not giving up and is hopeful that, with focus, it is possible to reach those goals and, despite being disappointed that she cannot attend this year, it has made her even more determined to get those all-important qualifying times in 2018.

A West Dorset Swimming Club spokesperson said: “This is a fantastic achievement and we are extremely proud of all three of them.

“Huge congratulations and we can’t wait to see their progress.”

*For more information on West Dorset Swimming Club, visit swimwestdorset.org.uk