The Swim England North East Super Camp returned for its second year in 2025, bringing together some of the region’s most promising young swimmers for a fantastic development experience. There was a total of 190 swimmers, 34 coaches & team managers, and 2 homegrown Olympians!
From the selection process to inspirational workshops and challenging pool sessions, every stage of the journey contributed to a memorable and impactful day for athletes and staff alike.
The Road to Selection
Before athletes ever stepped onto poolside at Sunderland Aquatics Centre, they first had to earn their place through the official Swim England North East Region Development Programme selection criteria, the second stage of the Swim England Talent Pathway.
The programme aims to help swimmers develop:
- Fundamental movement and aquatic skills
- Technical quality across all four strokes
- Understanding of Swim England’s performance culture
- Athlete characteristics aligned with the Optimal Athlete Development Framework (OADF)
Who Was Eligible?
Swimmers aged 13–16 on 31st December 2025.
How Selection Worked
Up to 50 athletes (25 male, 25 female) were selected from long-course national rankings achieved between 1 September 2024 and 31 August 2025.
Selection varied by age group:
- 13–14 years:
The top 25 long-course swimmers in the 200m Individual Medley rankings. - 15–16 years:
Swimmers achieving the highest World Aquatics Points (WAP) in any Olympic event.
Meeting the standard enabled consideration but did not guarantee selection.
The athletes who earned their places demonstrated commitment, progression, and the competitive standard expected from swimmers progressing into higher levels of the national pathway.
Welcome to Camp Day!
With selection complete, athletes arrived at the Sunderland Aquatics Centre ready for a day designed to challenge, motivate and elevate their performance. The atmosphere was energised from the start, as swimmers from across the region came together representing their clubs, their coaches, and their ambitions.
Learning From the Best: Workshops With Homegrown Commonwealth Champions
One of the defining features of the 2025 Super Camp was the opportunity to learn directly from homegrown Commonwealth Champions Chris Cook and Aimee Willmott. Throughout the day, they delivered a series of exceptional workshops filled with insights, personal stories, and strategies that underpin performance.
Their sessions explored:
- Motivation and mindset
- Resilience under pressure
- Building confidence
- Setting achievable performance goals
- The realities of the elite athlete journey.
Their experience and relatability created an open, inspiring learning environment, giving athletes a rare window into what’s required to rise from regional success to international podiums.
High-Quality Pool Sessions
Both age groups completed two pool sessions, each designed to develop stroke quality, underwater work, turns, movement efficiency and race-ready technical skills. Younger swimmers focused on refining fundamentals, while older swimmers developed more advanced technique and tactical execution.
These sessions were supported by an excellent Coaching and Team Manager team, ensuring athletes received consistent feedback and technical guidance. The full list of the Head Coaches, Skill Coaches, and Team Managers are shown below:
13 Years
Head Coach
Jack Moulton, City of Sheffield Swim Squad
Skill Coaches
David Hoyle, City of Bradford
Ian Dale, North Tyneside
Lizzie Ryan, Teesdale Tigersharks
Phil Horner, Eston ASC
Vicky Holt, Tadcaster York Sport Swim Squad
Team Managers
Greg Hirst
Jessica Thimaras
Ruth Oldfield
14 Years
Head Coach
Matt Allison, Newcastle Swim Team
Skill Coaches
Adam Wilson, City of Sheffield Swim Squad
Alexandra Roberts, Billingham ASC
Ella Jones, Bradford Grammar School
Katy Batley, Alnwick Dolphins
Michael Bonson, Borough of Kirklees
Team Managers
Melanie Robinson
Emma Nuttman
Jess Hendon
15 Years
Head Coach
Danny Martland, Tadcaster York Sport Swim Squad
Skill Coaches
Chris Tibbs, North Tyneside ASC
Guy Fawkes, Billingham ASC
Harvey Williamson, City of Wakefield
Oliver Nevitt, City of Leeds
Tim Redfern, Skipton
Team Managers
Jane Meikle
Michael Air
16 Years
Head Coach
Becki McGuire, Morpeth ASC
Skill Coaches
Callum Hall, Richmond Dales ASC
Chris Philpott, City of Sunderland ASC, Derwentside & Gateshead Swim Team, Peterlee ASC
Craig Robinson, Bradford Grammar School
Jay Manners, Derwentside & Gateshead Swim Team, North East Region
Lindsay Kinlen, South Tyneside ASC
Team Managers
Karen Rose
Alison Orr
Victoria Brotherton
Alongside supporting the pool sessions, coaches were given a valuable opportunity for their own professional development. Swim England Sport Scientist Craig Robertson delivered an outstanding presentation exploring the science behind effective training and the principles of breath-holding performance. His expertise sparked meaningful discussion and provided coaches with knowledge they can implement directly in their home programmes.
Team Culture, Learning and Collaboration
The day also included:
- Group learning activities
- Opportunities to connect with swimmers from other clubs
- Discussions around expectations within the Talent Pathway
- Dedicated time for reflection and goal-setting
This blend of physical and mental development highlighted the camp’s holistic approach, preparing athletes not just to swim fast, but to grow as well-rounded performers.
It was not just the swimmers and coaches who had an action-packed day… parents/guardians of swimmers selected for the camp had the opportunity to attend a presentation delivered by our very own Louise Graham, Head of Aquatics of Swim England North East sharing her experiences involved with the sport and how the passion ignites us to make this community better than ever before!
Celebrations at the Beacon of Light
As the camp drew to an end, all athletes and staff came together at the Beacon of Light for the final presentations. This closing ceremony recognised the hard work, focus and engagement shown throughout the day.
It marked not just the end of the Super Camp, but the start of the next step in each athlete’s journey along the Swim England Talent Pathway.
🏆 Award Winners
Two athletes stood out for their exceptional professionalism, attitude, and commitment across all aspects of the day, from workshops to pool sessions to group tasks.
Top Boy 2025
Jensen Owen, 16 — City of Sheffield
Top Girl 2025
Ava Bremner, 16 — Morpeth
Both swimmers displayed the behaviours and mindset the pathway aims to develop, serving as brilliant role models for their peers. The awards were presented by Chris Cook, where all the athletes, coaches, team managers, and spectators were in attendance.
A Day That Shapes Futures
From the rigorous selection process to inspirational workshops and high-quality pool training, the 2025 North East Super Camp once again demonstrated the strength and potential of the region’s athletes. Supported by dedicated coaches and team managers, every swimmer left with new knowledge, new motivation and a clearer understanding of the standards required as they progress through the Swim England Talent Pathway.
A huge thank you to all who helped make this possible! To all the athletes, coaches, team managers and volunteers to help allow the day run smoothly. Huge thank you to Everyone Active Sunderland Aquatic Centre and Beacon of Light for the hospitality, and to Tesco Sunderland for providing the snacks!
