Swimming success for local clubs

EAST Dorset's three leading swimming clubs ended the year with a string of successes in the National Arena League.

Poole Swimming Club, champions of the Western League's Division One title in 2010, reached their first Premier Division final and finished fourth in the league table behind three of Britain's leading clubs, Plymouth Leander, Millfield and City of Cardiff.

Poole coach Robin Armayan said: "Finishing fourth in our first season back in the Premier Division is an outstanding result. The swimmers gave everything."

Swim Bournemouth, the new club resulting from the merger of Ferndown Otters and Bournemouth Dolphins, also exceeded their own best hopes by finishing sixth in the same Premier Division final and seventh in the league.

Coach Emma Hirst said: "We have a very young team and at the start of the season we didn't dream of even being in the final so to come sixth in the final and seventh in the league is a huge achievement."

Christchurch-based Seagulls – boosted by a link-up with Bournemouth Collegiate School's new swimming academy – succeeded Poole as Division One champions and will be joining them and Swim Bournemouth in the West's top flight in October 2012.

Seagulls' head coach Barry Alldrick said: "This has been an exciting and successful campaign and it continues our rise from the lower ranks of Division Three over the past few seasons.

"Based on this year's results, I believe it's realistic to aim for the Premier Division final in 2012."

Swim Bournemouth's B team won promotion to Division One after finishing third in Division Two.