36 Essex based performance swimmers selected in the recently formed performance team named Ortus Londinium attended the 43rd International Championships in Geneva, Switzerland last week (16 - 18, January, 2009).

The swimmers, based in several different clubs throughout East London and Essex have been training together on regular basis over the last 9 months which lead into their maiden competition. The Racing club "ORTUS LONDINIUM" which is the Latin for East of London, was the brainchild of Mike Bush (Waltham Forest), Alex Morgan (Thurrock) and Heather Davis (Runnymede) and was supported by soft drink company Frutina Ltd; Russ Kitching Founder and MD Frutina Ltd. Quoted:

"Its great to support an initiative where all the clubs work together to help the real local swimmers of the Olympic legacy by providing a performance pathway. The criteria for selection were made prior to the UK Nationals at Sheffield and we were amazed how the swimmers raised their game to qualify. We expected 20 to hit the radar but 36 managed to make the cut"


Swimming against some of the best of Europe and other parts of the World the Squad did their Country proud by winning the top club trophy dominating on points over the French, Danish, Algerian and German Swimming Federations with a total of 14 medals.

Leading up the charge was Romford’s Elena Sheridan (13) Charlie Dentith (Redbridge) and Sean Houlihan (Romford). Slightly built Elena surprised everyone in taking the Gold in the 100m Fly and Silver in the 200m Fly. Sean and Charlie took the Gold in the 400m Free with 2 Bronzes in the 100m Free and 100m Breaststroke. Whilst Sean took 2 Silvers in the 200m I/M and 100m Breaststroke.

Thurrock based swimmer Charlie Hayes after a night of sickness nearly pulled out of the heats in the morning but insisted in taking part, not only did he reach the final but found an inner strength to take Silver in the hauling 400m I/M giving valuable points in the close fought chase for top club.

Breaking the Geneva International Championship record which has been running for 43 years was Canvey Islands Sophie Drake swimming an outstanding 30.88 sec in the 50m Backstroke and 1.05.66 in the 100m taking Gold and a Bronze in the 200m. Stephanie Malcolm (Waltham Forest) brilliant backstroke technique earnt her 2 Silvers Medals in the 100m and 200m Backstroke events. Birthday boy James Davis (Romford) ploughed his way to take a bronze in the 400mFree.

Amelia Knowles (Southend) took the Silver in the 100M fly narrowly missing out on a medal in her other events. Daniel Stepton (Romford) had some great swims and took the Bronze in the 100M Back and made the final of the Backstroke skins where he came 7th.


The rest of the squad who made finals, and scored those vital points were:

Molly Epsley (Thurrock) Phoebe Hayes (Redbridge) Jessica Ford ( Thurrock) Verity Goodey (Southend) Laurence Brown (Redbridge)Harry Coker (Romford) Daniel Sorrell(Chelmsford) Harry Payne (Bor Southend) Elliot Hill (Waltham Forest) Bethany Hall (Romford) Thomas Bircham (Killerwhales) Bradley Clarke (Thurrock) Chris Inch (Redbridge) Lewis Clifford Stephenson (Killerwhales) Shannon Harrold (Thurrock) Alex Jameson (Waltham Forest) Jonathon Sayer (Bor Southend) Alex Delicata (Thurrock) Elizabeth Hare (Waltham Forest) Kelsey Richards (Redbridge) Danielle Sayer (Thurrock).

  The coaching staff that attended was Headed up by Mike Bush (Waltham Forest) with Louise Walton (Havering Aquatics) and Gary Inch (Redbridge) together with Anna Kitching as translator and required Swimming Official.

British Olympic Coach David Haller who was in attendance with his Beijing GB Swimmer Tom Haffield made a point to come over to the squad and compliment the initiative which is driven by the clubs for the benefit of the performance swimmers.

The Squad arrived back at Gatwick after a rewarding weekend of experience knowing a different level of competition has helped them raise their outlook in their swimming careers. Also the bond that was achieved between the swimmers from different Essex clubs helped develop a competitive unity whilst representing their Country abroad. The swimmers now return to their clubs to prepare for the forthcoming County Championships

The performance squad will now continue to train together on a regular basis and plan its next venture in developing performance swimmers in Essex. Top marks go to the coaches of all the Clubs in making this happen in funnelling the energies of all into a performance unit of local potential Olympians.