The inaugural Northumberland & Durham Masters Development Day took place on Saturday 31st January 2026 at the Sunderland Aquatic Centre, and it was a fantastic start to what promises to be a valuable regular event for Masters swimmers across the county.

The day saw a great turnout, with 44 Masters swimmers in attendance, representing a wide range of clubs from across Northumberland and Durham. The enthusiasm, commitment, and positive atmosphere in the pool made for an inspiring and productive development day for all involved.

A huge thank you goes to lead coach Martin Hall for delivering an engaging and informative session, as well as to the five volunteer lane coaches — Jonny Carlisle, Stephen Ward, Chris Webster, Jonathan Dean, and Darren Simpson. Their expertise, encouragement, and hands-on technical support played a key role in motivating swimmers and helping everyone get the most out of the day.

We would also like to extend our thanks to NESS for their continued support, providing a 10% voucher and swim hats for the attendees, which was very well received.

Looking ahead, the next Northumberland & Durham Masters County Championships will take place on Sunday 19th April at Billingham, and we look forward to welcoming athletes once again.

Finally, if anyone would like to purchase a Masters t-shirt or hoodie, please let Joan know.

Thank you to everyone who attended, coached, and supported the day — a brilliant launch for Masters development in the county.