Plymouth Leander names new squads after club's biggest stars

Abigail and Poppy - two of the #bluearmy's newest recruits  - pictured with coach Ellie Kerslake

Plymouth Leander has this week launched two new junior swimming squads named after its biggest stars.

The Ben Proud and Ruta Meilutyte squads are aimed at younger swimmers in an attempt to bridge the gap between learn to swim programmes and club swimming.

The squads are named after Ben Proud - the reigning men's 50m butterfly World Champion and recent Commonwealth gold medallist in the 50m freestyle - and Ruta Meilutyte who was a 15 year old PL swimmer and Plymouth College pupil when she became Olympic 100m breaststroke champion at London 2012.

Plymouth Leander's Head Coach Robin Armayan said the new junior squads are a great addition to the club's junior pathway. "They allow children to progress through our system more smoothly and also strengthens our partnership with Everyone Active and other learn to swim programmes," he said. "Hopefully it will make it easier for children from Stage 7 upwards to make the transition to club swimming".

Coach Ellie Kerslake, who looks after PL's youngest swimmers, is delighted.

"It's something I've been working towards for some time and it's fantastic to see the new squads up and running," she said.

"The whole purpose is to give children more experience in the pool, with lots of emphasis on technique and developing skills in all four strokes, tumble turns and racing dives...while, most importantly, having lots of fun."

For more information on how to join the new squads contact Ellie Kerslake at ellie.coach@plymouthleander.com.