Marlborough Penguins swimmers triumphed at the recent Wiltshire County Swimming Championships, with the thirty eight competitors from Marlborough amassing eleven golds, ten silvers and nine bronzes. Overall Marlborough Penguins were ranked as the third club in the Youth Age range across Wiltshire.
Florence Barkholt dominated the 14-year age group event and Junior Championships winning six gold medals and three silver medals, as well as multiple Championship awards. Whilst Giacomo Fatica was awarded five gold medals, achieving some very impressive PBs (personal bests), a fantastic achievement at his standard.
Head Coach, Dom Keogh said; “We’re really happy for the swimmers, coaches and support teams at Penguins. It’s great to see the efforts of the swimmers’ result in such amazing results at the Wiltshire County Championships and we are looking forward to the Regional Championships and future seasons”
Next: the South West Regionals Championships. Already ten swimmers have qualified across multiple events whilst others are chasing their qualification times over the next few weekends.
So who are the ‘Marlborough Penguins’?
Wind back to 1958. To the open air pool (sited where the Town Mill development now resides), that’s where they started. In those days the thirty three and one third yard pool (two-thirds the length of a then championship pool) was unheated with water changed on a weekly basis. Originally built in 1924, run by the Town Council, the club managed to raise £2,000 in 1971 – a substantial sum then – to facilitate warmer water by the installation of a heating plant then later more funds to facilitate construction of a basic cafe for swimmers, spectators and helpers during the opening period which was between April and September each year.
In 1983 Marlborough Penguins left the old Town Mill Pool when it closed for development and moved to the more ‘luxurious surroundings’ of the Leisure Centre, raising funds for spectator seating to be installed. Also enabling training to take place throughout the year.
Marlborough Penguins has always been volunteer managed throughout its sixty five years, with parents, supporters, swimmers all coming together to act as coaches, teachers, officials and committee members enabling the thousands of members over the years who have learned how to swim with many going on to competitive success.
Nowadays the club uses both the Leisure Centre and Marlborough College pools, running ‘learn to swim’ and training sessions across the week at both venues.
To find out more about Marlborough Penguins click here to visit their website, or for any enquiries, e-mail the club secretary at secretary@marlboroughpenguins.com.
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