A Breakthrough Moment for Our 17+ Swimmers on the Big Stage
From May 24–26, the London Aquatics Centre buzzed with world-class energy as the AP Race London International 2025 brought together elite swimmers from across the globe. Among the rising stars were 24 athletes from the Swim England North East Region (SENER) – all aged 17+, representing a powerful new initiative to retain and inspire older competitive swimmers. And what a statement they made.
💪 Performance That Spoke Volumes
Under the leadership of Head Coach Danny Martland, the SENER squad made their mark with numerous finalists across Junior, B, and Super Finals. The team proudly celebrated multiple Junior champions and medallists, going toe-to-toe with international powerhouses including the USA National Junior Team and the Swiss National Team – and even claiming victories in the team events.
“Our athletes executed their race plans with discipline, adjusted intelligently from heats to finals, and truly rose to the challenge,” said Martland. “Competing alongside the likes of Duncan Scott and world record holder Lukas Märtens gave them invaluable insights into world-class racing.”
SUPER FINALISTS
| Name | Event(s) |
|---|---|
| Anna Finlay | 200m Breaststroke (8th), 4x100m Medley Relay ‘B’ (8th) |
| Archie Minto | 4x100m Medley Relay ‘B’ (8th) |
| Ava Cook | 1500m Freestyle (BRONZE🥉) |
| Bethany Walker | 50m Breaststroke (8th) |
| Candice Hall | 200m Individual Medley (6th), 4x100m Mixed Freestyle Relay ‘A’ (6th), 4x100m Mixed Medley Relay ‘A’ (6th) |
| Daniel Ransom | 50m Backstroke (9th), 100m Backstroke (7th), 200m Backstroke (7th) |
| Ella McDermott | 4x100m Mixed Freestyle Relay ‘B’ (9th), 4x100m Mixed Medley Relay ‘B’ (8th) |
| Emma Price | 400m Individual Medley (10th) |
| Emma Wood | 4x100m Mixed Freestyle Relay ‘A’ (6th), 4x100m Mixed Medley Relay ‘A’ (6th) |
| Ethan Baylin | 4x100m Mixed Freestyle Relay ‘A’ (6th), 4x100m Mixed Medley Relay ‘A’ (6th) |
| Jacob Brown | 4x100m Mixed Freestyle Relay ‘B’ (9th) |
| Lewis Maxwell | 4x100m Mixed Medley Relay ‘B’ (8th) |
| Liam Dawson | 4x100m Mixed Freestyle Relay ‘A’ (6th) |
| Matilda Potter | 200m Individual Medley (7th), 400m Individual Medley (5th), 4x100m Mixed Freestyle Relay ‘B’ (9th) |
| Matthew Rooney | 4x100m Mixed Freestyle Relay ‘B’ (9th) |
| Reece Blackett | 50m Backstroke (10th) |
| William Ellis | 4x100m Mixed Medley Relay ‘A’ (6th) |
‘B’ FINALISTS
| Name | Event(s) |
|---|---|
| Anna Finlay | 50m Breaststroke (1st), 100m Breaststroke (4th) |
| Archie Minto | 200m Butterfly (5th) |
| Ava Cook | 400m Freestyle (2nd) |
| Candice Hall | 100m Backstroke (5th) |
| Ella McDermott | 50m Breaststroke (7th) |
| Emma Price | 400m Freestyle (3rd), 200m Individual Medley (10th) |
| Gabrielle Freeman | 200m Backstroke (5th) |
| Lewis Maxwell | 100m Backstroke (9th), 200m Backstroke (6th) |
| Matilda Potter | 200m Butterfly (2nd) |
| Niamh Savory | 400m Individual Medley (6th) |
| Reece Blackett | 100m Backstroke (1st), 200m Backstroke (5th) |
| William Ellis | 50m Backstroke (1st), 100m Backstroke (4th) |
JUNIOR FINALISTS
| Name | Event(s) |
|---|---|
| Emily Maxwell | 200m Freestyle (4th), 400m Freestyle (2nd), 100m Butterfly (2nd) |
| Emma Wood | 100m Freestyle (8th), 100m Backstroke (2nd) |
| Gabrielle Freeman | 50m Backstroke (6th), 100m Backstroke (6th), 200m Butterfly (4th) |
| Jacob Brown | 50m Backstroke (3rd), 100m Backstroke (5th) |
| Matilda Potter | 400m Freestyle (1st) |
| Niamh Savory | 200m Breaststroke (2nd), 200m Individual Medley (4th) |
🧠 A Learning and Growth Experience
Athletes embraced every aspect of the high-performance environment – from structured pre-pool routines and warm-ups to post-race reviews. They took in not just the race experience, but also the mental and physical prep that goes into elite competition.
“This wasn’t just a meet. It was a development opportunity that will impact our swimmers for seasons to come,” Martland added.
🤝 Team Unity Like Never Before
One of the most powerful aspects of the meet? The team spirit. Swimmers from different clubs came together seamlessly – supporting each other poolside, cheering in the stands, and bonding during well-organised team meals.
“Even those who didn’t qualify for finals came back to support their teammates,” said Martland. “That speaks volumes about the unity we’re building in the North East.”
👏 Thank You to Our Support Crew
Behind the scenes, team managers and support staff were instrumental. Special thanks go to Becki, our women’s team lead, for her athlete-first approach, and to the event organisers at AP Race for creating an elite but welcoming environment, complete with first-class facilities and coach support.
🔥 Setting a New Standard for SENER
The meet drew over 10,000 spectators and delivered a truly electric atmosphere – something Martland notes should serve as a benchmark for future SENER-hosted events.
“This event was transformational,” he said. “It reinforced our commitment to giving older athletes high-quality, inspiring experiences. The success here proves that our region can compete at the highest levels – and we’re just getting started.”
The AP Race London International 2025 marked a turning point for Swim England North East Region. Our athletes not only delivered standout performances on a world-class stage but also grew in confidence, professionalism, and unity. With strong leadership, incredible team spirit, and unforgettable experiences, this event has laid a powerful foundation for the future of senior swimming in our region. It was more than a competition, it was a catalyst for long-term development and ambition. The North East has arrived, and we’re only just getting started.
