All the latest news from the Kingfishers Swimming Club
Embedded Files
July 20th
Aquatics GB Next Gen Championships.
From Armthorpe C Squad to National level swimmer at DARTES. Continue to aim high James, know that we’re all right with you at Armthorpe!
Last night, James Ellis became the 9th fastest 14yr old 100m backstroker in the UK
He improved his time once again in the final. That’s hugely impressive after taking almost a second off in his qualifying heat.
Final time of 1:04.34 is rocket speed making him 9th fastest in the uk
We’re all super proud of you James
Jonathan
July 17th
DMasa Individual Championships 2026 – ‘The Mets’
A Google Form will be shared shortly for entries.
Assistant Head Coach
Lee
July 17th
Beverley Barracudas County Qualifier
19th & 20th September.
Thank you to all those people who have already paid for this gala.
This is a polite reminder to those of you that have forgotten or keep meaning to pay. I very much want to get this completed before summer closure on 24th July so would appreciate it if you could pay as soon as possible. Don't forget that the reference is swimmer name/BBCQ.
Also could those of you who have not yet paid for the Monday morning sessions and/or the extra places for the water park please do so as soon as possible using the correct reference.
Thank you.
Shirley
July 16th
Training: Wednesday 15th June
A huge thank you to all of our coaches for the way they managed such a busy and hectic session last night. Your hard work, patience and professionalism ensured the swimmers continued to receive the best possible coaching despite the challenges.
We’re also reviewing tonight’s session and considering future changes to reduce the need for combined sessions wherever possible, helping us provide the best training environment for everyone.
Thank you to all of our swimmers, parents and coaches for your continued support.
Jonathan
July 14th
Club Update – Swimwear Guidance
Regarding the recent swimwear decision, the committee has listened to the feedback received and are reissuing the guidance.
We hope this updated guidance provides further clarity while maintaining our commitment to safeguarding.
As a club, our priority is to safeguard all swimmers and coaches and to provide a safe, respectful environment for everyone.
In line with Swim England's guidance, ‘swimwear must be in good moral taste and should maintain the swimmer's modesty’. Therefore, our preferred position is that tie-back costumes are not worn during club sessions. We ask parents and carers to support their swimmers by ensuring their swimwear is appropriate and securely fitted to maintain their modesty.
If a swimmer chooses to wear a tie-back costume, coaches will not adjust, tie, or retie the costume. Swimmers should ensure their costume is securely fitted before entering the pool, with assistance from a parent/carer
We appreciate everyone's understanding and cooperation as we continue to prioritise the welfare and safeguarding of all swimmers, coaches and volunteers.
Nicola
July 14th
Just to confirm:
We’ll be running a combined session on Wednesday due to the lower numbers.
Everyone starts at 6:45pm
* B Squad finishes at the usual time of 7:45pm
* A Squad continues until 8:15pm
See you on Wednesday! See less
Nicola
July 13th
Wow – what an amazing turnout for our first early morning training session!
A fantastic 27 swimmers were there, all bringing a positive, focused attitude and ready to put in the hard work. It's brilliant to see such commitment and enthusiasm from the team.
A great start to the day and a sign of the exciting things to come. Well done, everyone – keep up the fantastic work!
Nicola
July 12nd
What a fantastic weekend at Bridlington!
I'm so proud of every single swimmer. The positivity, determination and incredible performances were amazing to see throughout the weekend. There were so many personal bests, fantastic swims and well-deserved medals – a real credit to all the hard work that's gone in.
A special mention goes to our boys' 6×50 relay team and girls' 6×50 relay team. They both swam brilliantly, and the energy and support from the rest of the team really lifted them to produce some outstanding performances.
A huge thank you to our team managers and head coach, Jonathan Tuffrey and deputy head coach, Lee Burkill for their dedication, feedback and support over the weekend, and to all the parents for everything you do behind the scenes. Your encouragement and commitment make weekends like this possible.
Well done, everyone – what a team!
Nicola
July 11th
Good morning, everyone!
Oh what a night! We had 25 swimmers present and, as always, working hard.
In Lanes 3 and 4, everyone got caught up on the First Aid work missed last week and, as a consequence, the following swimmers present last night, received their NLA Bronze Star Awards:
Well done to:
Ethan
Matthew
Nadia
Ada
Ayla
Greg
Martha
Zeke
Emily
There are six other swimmers who should receive their awards next week due to their absence last night.
Lane 2 swimmers began work on Gold 2 activities, including a timed swim and cross chest tow technique. Eight achieved their Rookie Gold 1 Awards and End of Year Reports last night. Well done to:
Molly
Alice
Emily
Kaleb
Mollie
Nancy
John
Miles
Three more will receive their Awards before the summer break - two are at the Bridlington Seaside Special Meet this weekend, and the third was involved in a Cheerleading Display!! Lane 2 are a multi-talented bunch!
Our "now not so newbies" in Lane 1 continue to impress with their endeavour and enthusiasm as they continue to work on Rookie Bronze 2.
We have two more sessions left before the summer break, and we will look forward to seeing as many swimmers as possible at those sessions.
A big thank you to our Instructors Steve, Thomas, Sandra, Ella and Andrew, our Young Volunteers Lucy, Dan and Rodger and, of course, our parents and carers. Our swimmers are very lucky to have you.
Stay safe! See you next week!
Mary
July 10th
Kingfishers!
We always love this meet, and we hope you’re all excited too!
Key Info:
- Venue: East Riding Leisure, Bridlington (YO15 2QQ)
- Pool: Short course (25m)
Session Times:
Friday Session
- Arrive by 5:30 PM
- Warm-up at 6:00 PM
Morning Sessions
- Arrive by 7:15 AM
- Warm-up at 7:45 AM
Afternoon Sessions
- If you raced in the morning: Be back on poolside by 12:50 PM. Warm-up starts at 1:00 PM - there’s usually a half-time dance-off anyway, get involved!…
- If you didn’t race in the morning: Check in with team managers by 12:30 PM. Warm-up at 1:00 PM
Spectator Info:
- Seating is first come, first served – arrive early to get a good a spot!
- For afternoon sessions, the balcony is usually cleared, so rejoin the queue even if the morning races are still finishing.
Other bits:
- Age groups are based on swimmer’s age as of midnight 12th July 2026
- Camping chairs on poolside – there seems to be no restriction this year.
- Know your races: check Openmeets and arrive knowing what you are racing - see Lee’s message
- Can’t swim? Let us know ASAP so we can make withdrawals and free up space for others.
Reminders:
- Wear your yellow Kingfishers hat – makes it easier to support each other
- Stay in touch with coaches and always check in before leaving
- No phones in the changing rooms
- Cheer your teammates on!
Most importantly: have fun, give it everything and enjoy the weekend.
Go Kingfishers!
Jonathan
July 9th
This post is aimed at our older swimmers… definitely worth a look!
Mary
July 8th
Summer closure
Last session Friday 24 July 2026.
First session back Wednesday 12 August 2026 (Monday 10th am)
Nicola
Summer Splash Results
Summer Splash Results
5th July
A huge well done to all our swimmers who competed at the Summer Splash competition at John Charles, Leeds!
You all swam brilliantly and should be incredibly proud of your performances. Your hard work, determination, and team spirit were fantastic to see.
A very special congratulations to Evie for being awarded Top Girl in her age group – an amazing achievement!
Well done, everyone! Keep up the fantastic work!
Nicola
Amazing performance by the Kingfishers!
To get on this Top Swimmers list, you have to get in the top six in an A Grade Race! 15 of our swimmers managed that!
Well done on the 2nd Place Visiting Clubs finish - EVERYONE’s placing contributed to this. OUTSTANDING!
Bridlington next, then the September Sprints at Leeds… bring it on!
Mary
July 4th
On Saturday 11th July there will only be one session (2-3:30) for both A and B squad swimmers to attend, due to the Bridlington Gala.
Nicola
July 4th
Exciting Progress Behind the Scenes
Hello everyone! It’s Kingsley, sorry I haven't been poolside lately but I’m excited to share some of the fantastic work taking place behind the scenes to help our club grow and thrive. Over recent weeks, I have been busy working alongside Keith Old, our club website designer and video producer, and Mary Firth on several exciting projects.
Keith has been leading the development of our latest video productions, showcasing the achievements, training sessions, and success stories of our swimmers and volunteers. One of our key goals has been to support fundraising efforts through a variety of money-raising bids and funding applications.
The new video content is helping us demonstrate the positive impact our club has on young people and the wider community. By presenting strong evidence of our achievements and ambitions, we hope to secure additional funding that will benefit swimmers of all ages and abilities.
Mary Firth has ensured that the welfare and safeguarding of our members remain at the heart of the process. Her guidance has helped us make sure that all content reflects the club’s values of safety, inclusion, respect, and enjoyment.
Alongside our latest video project, I have been researching with Keith new website providers in order to meet SwimEngland policy guidelines on imagery and child protection. There's still alot of work to do but teh journey begins with small steps.
As Club mascot, I am incredibly proud of the teamwork being shown by everyone involved. The combined efforts of Keith, Mary, our coaches, volunteers, swimmers, and families are helping to build a brighter future for the club. I look forward to sharing more updates soon as our fundraising bids progress, our videos reach wider audiences, and our social media presence continues to grow.
Thank you to everyone who supports Armthorpe Kingfishers Swimming Club – together, we are making a real difference
Kingsley
June 28th
We still need one more Time keeper and one more Marshall for the afternoon session on Sunday.
Please shout up if you can help.
Thank you to those of you that have already volunteered.
Nicola
July 2nd
Bridlington Seaside Special
This is now less than two weeks away.
There are a number of people who have not yet paid for their entries.
Please check your bank account and/or ask me at training and if you still owe please pay as soon as possible.
Thank you.
Shirley
June 23rd
Well done Maisy!
Maisy from A Squad has completed, for the third time, a sponsored event for DiabetesUK over twelve weeks between March 23rd and June 22nd 2026 - swimming for her granddad and for swimmers at our club. Maisy swam a total of 22 miles in 2022, raising £451, 44 miles in 2024 raising £209 and 39.9 miles in 2026 raising £350. Total raised: £1010. Well Done, Maisy!
Mary
June 21
BML League 2 Champions
Well done Kingfishers. Very proud of all of you, swimmers, parents, and our full squad of volunteers.
Thank you to everyone who helped out yesterday, some for the first time. Special thank you to Nikki Kirk who worked tirelessly in the build-up to our home gala and it ran extremely smoothly.
To again be promoted to the top division, we are clearly doing something right. Well done everyone for your hard work and commitment.
Kingfisher Champions
Jonathan
June 19th
RLSS Distinction Award Award
RLSS Distinction Award Award
Many Congratulations to Lucy Rodger and Esme on achieving the RLSS Distinction Award, the highest level of achievement within the programme. This outstanding accomplishment recognises not only your exceptional lifesaving knowledge and practical skills but also your unwavering dedication and commitment to personal development.
Reaching this prestigious standard is a significant achievement and reflects the hard work and determination you have shown throughout your training.
As part of earning the award, 30 hours of volunteering was completed, demonstrating commitment to supporting others and giving back to the lifesaving community.
Your willingness to contribute time, alongside achieving the programme’s highest standard, is a real testament to your character, professionalism, and passion for water safety.
Everyone at Kingfishers is incredibly proud of your success and extends heartfelt congratulations on your remarkable achievement.
Mary
June 18th
No training for A and B squad on Saturday - due to the BML
June 18th
Drowning Prevention Week
Drowning Prevention Week
Allows follow the Water Safety Code
Please take care over the weekend! These posters will remind you about staying safe in and around water.
Mary
June 16th
Please see below the information for our BML on Saturday. Please be at Adwick Leisure Centre for no later than 5pm.
Nicola
June 11th
BML Armthorpe 2026
Saturday 20th June
Adwick Leisure Centre – 5:15pm warm-up
Kingfishers,
With Round 2 still fresh in our minds, it’s time for our home BML Gala!
We can win this. You’ve already shown that we have the speed, skill, determination and team spirit to compete with anyone. Let’s deliver another strong team performance for the final round.
Team selections have been made based on the availability information previously shared. Thank you to everyone who responded, it has been a huge help throughout the season.
Congratulations to all swimmers selected to represent the Kingfishers at our home gala. Selection is a significant achievement, and we hope you are proud to be a Kingfisher.
If you haven’t been selected this time, please keep working hard, enjoying your swimming, and supporting your teammates. If you would like feedback, I am happy to provide it.
Selected swimmers: please confirm your attendance with Nikki Kirk as soon as possible.
Let’s make our home gala one to remember.
Jonathan
June 10th
RLSS UK is partnering with The Mirror on the powerful new water safety campaign ‘Save Lives for Sam’.
Working in collaboration with The Mirror and MP Lee Pitcher, MP for Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme, the campaign aims to prevent water-related tragedies across the UK. The new campaign will lobby the government to create REAL change, and will run through to the start of the summer holidays.
This campaign urgently calls for:
• A national Public Health & Safety Awareness Campaign on TikTok and social media to raise awareness among parents and children of water-related risks
• Increased accountability for water companies, landowners, and those in control of large bodies of open water to take ownership and implement proper safety measures and install appropriate rescue equipment.
• The introduction of compulsory pre-holiday school lessons covering water safety, including the Water Safety Code, Float to Live, and Phone-Float-Throw advice.
• Progression of ‘Sam’s Law’ into legislation to require safety equipment at high-risk large bodies of water and make its damage or theft an aggravated criminal offence.
As communities prepare for summer, this is a crucial moment to make water safety a national priority.
Together, we can help more people stay safe and save lives.
Follow us to see the campaign take place and support the call for change.
Read the full campaign announcement: https://www.mirror.co.uk/.../save-lives-sam-campaign-stop...
Mary
June 6th
BML Round 2 – Team First
What a fantastic afternoon of racing at Round 2 of the BML!
Going into this gala, it was clear that this round would have an even greater team focus, giving more swimmers the opportunity to experience BML competition and contribute to the club. The result was a brilliant contest between three closely matched teams. The current standings, going into our Home BML on June 20th are below:
Barnsley – 203
Armthorpe – 199
Adwick – 171
To be just 4 points from the top spot shows the strength and depth we have throughout the club
A huge thank you goes to everyone who embraced the team spirit. It was brilliant to see parents cheering on all swimmers, not just their own, and to see swimmers supporting and encouraging their teammates at the end of every lane. That atmosphere is what makes team galas special, and hopefully it’s something we can carry into the final round.
For me, one of the highlights of the day was seeing swimmers who have never previously had the opportunity to compete in a BML step up and enjoy the experience with no pressure. A special mention goes to Maxwell, selected from C Squad, who produced a fantastic swim to claim 2nd place in the 50m Backstroke
There were standout performances right across the team, but special praise goes to:
Our youngest boys
The girls 13/14 team
The senior boys team
They were absolutely outstanding throughout the afternoon. Equally, the whole team should be praised for their effort, which was clearly evident.
We believe there were a couple of disqualifications during the gala, but we’ll wait for the official results before looking at those in more detail.
Most importantly, thank you to every swimmer, parent, official and volunteer who contributed to another fantastic team event.
Bring on our home fixture!
Jonathan
June 6th
Equipment Advice
Nicola
30th May
Advanced Notice - Summer Break Closure
The last session will be Friday 24 July 2026
First session back will be Friday 14 August 2026
Nicola
May 30th
PLEASE READ .
Sadly, every year families are affected by incidents in open water during warm weather.
As warmer weather arrives, many young swimmers will be tempted by the cooler rivers, lakes, canals, reservoirs and the sea.
And while competitive swimmers are very often confident in the water...natural environments are very different from the pool.
Cold water, currents, changing weather, fatigue, poor visibility and unfamiliar conditions can affect even strong swimmers far more quickly than people expect.
This is a good time for parents and swimmers to have open conversations about water awareness, personal limits and safe decision making.
Because confidence in the pool does not automatically mean safety in unpredictable water.
Many incidents happen on warm days, in places that feel calm and familiar at first.
It is also important for young swimmers to understand that trying to help others in difficulty can place them in danger too.
Especially without the right knowledge, support or training.
Learning water safety, survival and lifesaving awareness from properly qualified instructors is one of the most important things any parent can do for their child.
Not to create fear.
But to build respect, judgement and understanding around water environments outside the pool.
Swimming is a wonderful skill.
But nature does not recognise race times, training volumes or confidence.
Awareness matters too .
Lee
MAY 29TH
COLD WATER SHOCK
We’ve all heard the awful news about children drowning this week. Here is some information from the RLSS on the dangers of cold water shock and how to prevent it.
Ian
May 29th
One for the Girls
One for the Girls
I get asked frequently about periods so here’s a little bit of info to help you and your swimmers.
Nicola
May 27th
No training on Saturday 6th June for A and B squad due to the BML.
Nicola
May 27th
Stay safe in and around water!
Mary
May 26th
BML Barnsley 2026
Saturday 6th June
Dearnside Leisure Centre – S63 9EN
Kingfishers,
The success of our first BML event was created by everyone working together and supporting each other as a team. You were amazing. For our second BML event, we are looking to continue to build on this team spirit and support everyone once again.
Thank you to everyone who has completed the availability form, the team selections are based on the availability previously shared, thank you, it really helps.
Congratulations to the swimmers selected for the Barnsley BML gala, it’s a fantastic team achievement.
This is a true team event. Race for each other. Support one another. Be proud to represent the Kingfishers.
If you haven’t been selected this time, I’m happy to provide feedback. More opportunities will come. Keep working hard and enjoy your swimming.
Selected swimmers, please confirm your attendance with Nikki Kirk.
Jonathan
Kingfisher News & Archive
May 25th
Dartes Summer Splash
Volunteers needed…
Don’t worry if you have never done it before there will always be someone to show you the ropes.
These events simply cannot run without volunteers.
Nicola
May 25th
CLUB T SHIRTS
Due to our supplier discontinuing our club t shirt (blue /yellow), we are selling all existing stock for a reduced price of £10 on a 1st come 1st serve basis.
Please see sizes below and comment on this post / send me a direct message f you would like one.
7-8 x 1
9-10 x 2
11-12 x 3
XS x 1
S x 2
Our new t shirts, which will be available in 6-8 weeks, will have the same design and colour, only change is, is to a sublimate material (similar to a football shirt) and will be £22 (7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14) and £27 (for XS/S/M/L)
I will post again when our new shirts are available should you like to buy one.
Thanks
Claire
May 20th
DARTES' September Sprints on 14th September 2026. Open to members of A&B Squad.
Entry form to follow.
Jonathan
May 20th
Advanced Notice - Summer Break Closure
The last session will be Friday 24 July 2026.
First session back will be Wednesday 12 August 2026
Nicola
Rotherham Metro Gala
Rotherham Metro Gala
May 18th
A fantastic weekend of racing with a clear focus on development, learning and long course experience. This meet was all about:
PBs
Technique
Long course race strategy
Fuelling
Pre-race priming and activation
While medals were harder to come by at this level of competition, the number of PBs achieved across the weekend was incredible, we’re still counting them all!
There were some really positive performances throughout the team:
Technique was excellent
Dives were generally very strong
Great camaraderie and team spirit throughout the weekend
Warm ups were full of energy and fun
Our older swimmers, especially the A Squad members, set a brilliant example all weekend and really inspired the younger swimmers with their attitude, professionalism and support for others.
The meet also highlighted some important areas for development. Long course racing showed that many swimmers still crave the wall at the 25m point, with speed endurance, particularly on the 100m events, identified as a key focus area moving forward. Breakouts are another area we know we can strengthen in training.
These are exactly the kind of lessons that help swimmers improve and grow. Valuable learning experiences were gained by everyone: swimmers, coaches and parents alike.
It was also fantastic to join forces with the DARTES gang across the weekend. A huge thank you to them for welcoming our swimmers, sharing experiences and helping build wider friendships within the sport.
Finally, thank you to all of our parents, volunteers and supporters. Your commitment and encouragement make these busy weekends enjoyable and rewarding. We are incredibly proud to see our swimmers competing so well against such strong competition.
Jonathan
May 16th
Rotherham Metro Gala
Rotherham Metro Gala
A long weekend but great performances, lots of pb's and good company. The swimmers were a credit to themselves and the club and this reflects the hard work that everyone puts in. Huge thank you to the coaches, for the time and effort put in, not just this weekend but every week.
Well done everyone
Shirley
May 15th
NATIONAL QUALIFIER ALERT
A massive congratulations to James on qualifying for both the GB Nationals and English Nationals!
An incredible achievement and a reward for years of hard work, commitment and dedication in the pool.
Just a reminder to all Armthorpe swimmers and parents… James began his swimming journey with us in C Squad on Friday nights
Every swimmer starts somewhere. Keep turning up, keep working hard, and believe in the process, amazing things can happen.
Well done James, the whole club is proud of you!
Jonathan
Rotherham Metro Gala
Rotherham Metro Gala
May 13th
Swim England Affiliated Club Status
Swim England Affiliated Club Status
We are once again confirmed as an affiliated club to Swim England valid until 2027. There is a substantial amount of administration work behind the scenes that needs to be correctly collated and validated. The club is indebted to Mary Firth our Welfare Officer for all the hard work and time she has put in as a volunteer to make this happen. Thank you Mary.
May 13th
Rotherham Spring Meet 2026
Seems like a while since we all had a big race together. Looking forward to this one, hope you all are. Another chance to put our underwater work and fast break outs into practice!
Key info:
- It’s at Ponds Forge, Sheffield
- It’s long course / 50m pool
- Age groups are based on the swimmer’s age as of 17th May 2026
- Morning sessions – Arrive before 7:30 AM
- Afternoon sessions – Arrive before 12:30 PM, check in asap with your coaches.
- Spectator tickets are £10 bring cash just in case
- Check out the parking discount below, but arrive early to avoid getting turned away!
Please double-check your entries and session times via the link provided to avoid any surprises on the day.
Reminders:
- Wear your yellow Kingfishers hat so we can easily support each other poolside.
- Stay in touch with coaches and check in before leaving.
- Absolutely no mobile phones in the changing rooms - you should all know the drill by now - keep phone in bags/pockets! Applies to everyone.
- Have fun and support your team mates.
Give it all you have and enjoy competing at a major venue where Olympians have also raced!
! Full Speed !
Programme
www.rotherhammetro.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/PROGRAM-May-26.pdf
Meet info
www.rotherhammetro.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Long-Course-Meet-May-2026.pdf
Parking
https://www.q-park.co.uk/en-gb/cities/sheffield/castlegate/
50% off parking by pre-booking with this code PFQPSHF50 (limited spaces) or pay on the day and hand your ticket to reception for 25% off.
If you can’t get into Castlegate, there is another multi story a short walk away at Victoria Quays and quite a bit cheaper.
Jonathan
May 12th
GCSE / A Level students!
I’m sorry that this message is a little late, but it still comes with BIG good luck wishes to all of you - from everyone at Armthorpe Kingfishers Swimming Club!
You’ve got this! Your best will ALWAYS be good enough!
Mary
May 12th
Amazing news! Armthorpe Kingfishers Swimming Club are being paid this week in easyfundraising’s £2.2 million Donation Day – all thanks to our supporters shopping online. We were paid £15.99, simply by being part of Easyfundraising.
Want to get involved? Sign up for free and turn your online shopping at over 8,000 retailers into donations for our cause, at no extra cost to you!
Plus, sign up today and we could also win a massive £5,000 donation:
Mary
May 12th
CLOTHING ORDER
Anyone who would like to order clothing (hoodies/onesies/backpacks etc) please send me a direct message (via messenger) including size and if you would like it personalized
On the website there is a link of what is available to order including prices
This order book will be open until Friday 15th May 26
Claire
May10th
Training (A and B squad)
Saturday 16th May 2026 cancelled -
due to Rotherham competition.
Nicola
Nutrition
Nutrition
May 10th
I know nutrition and fueling can be confusing, especially around training, events, and recovery. I wanted to create something simple and easy to follow that might help people better understand how important proper fueling really is.
Getting the right balance can make a huge difference to energy levels, performance, recovery, and overall wellbeing and sometimes even small changes help more than people realise.
Hopefully the poster gives people a bit of guidance, support, and useful information they can take away and use for themselves
Regards
Lee
NER Youth Championships
May 9th
The final weekend of NERs start today in Leeds. Look out for our inspiring duo: James Ellis and Sofia-Elyse Sanders. Go smash it up you two, do your best, we’re right with you
Saturday
Sofia 200BR
James 200BK / 200IM / 50FLY
Sunday
Sofia 100FR
James 100FLY / 50BK
https://asaner.org.uk/results/2026/neaglc26/index.htm
https://www.youtube.com/live/Cg6j5DfSf8E?feature=shared
Jonathan
May 4th
NER Youth Championships
Congratulations Lucas!
Lucas Stallard receiving his Bronze in the 50m Breaststroke at the NERs at Sunderland today!
What a final, what a swim, what a swimmer, Lucas was incredible. Another PB in the final to confirm a bronze medal. Congratulations Lucas, very well deserved.
Thank you to Lucas and Miranda this weekend for representing Armthorpe so well. Also a huge thank you to DARTES’ Dan Dickinson and Emma Cooper Dan Dickinson after them in Sunderland
May 4th
NER Youth Championships
Good luck to Miranda Burkill and Lucas Stallard as they race in Sunderland today. All Kingfishers are right behind you both, show us your skills!
Live on YouTube from 9am and after the 800m freestyle relays. Links below.
Lucas 50FL event 305, heat 2, lane 0
Miranda 50FL event 306, heat 1, lane 2
Lucas 50BR event 307, heat 5, lane 8
Also look out for Jack Jones!
https://www.youtube.com/live/O0Rg7v7QwCY?feature=shared
https://asaner.org.uk/results/2026/neopenlc26/index.htm
Jonathan
May 4th
Bridlington Summer Special
At last we have had our entries accepted!!
They are available for checking on the Openmeets site, please check and let me know if there are any problems.
There are 5 swimmers who have been waitlisted. There is nothing I can do about this except be patient as they work their way to the top of the list. They are all in the top 5 of the list so we can be hopeful.
Thank you
Shirley
May 1st
If anyone is unsure about what kit to purchase, or if getting hold of the equipment is a challenge, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a member of the senior coaching team , we’re more than happy to help.
Regards,
Lee
April 30
Anyone who would like to order clothing (hoodies/onesies/backpacks etc) please send me a direct message (via messenger) including size and if you would like it personalized
Press the Club Shop button to discover what is available to order including prices
This order book will be open until Friday 15th May 26
Claire
April 30th
Plateaus don't define you.
Plateaus don't define you.
Staying in the water does.
Staying in the water does.
April 28th
New Armthorpe Swim Cap Kingfisher Edition
You’ve seen the championship cap… now meet the original.
Introducing our new Armthorpe club cap. Same sharp design, original colours. Simple, bold, and still unmistakably us.
This one’s for everyone. Available to buy, with optional personalisation so you can make it your own.
Train in it. Race in it. Just don’t blame us when you start getting noticed
Jonathan
Just to add to Jon’s message, the cap in the picture is always in stock and available to buy but if you would like a personalized version please let me know.
Once we receive 25 requests , I can place an order.
Thanks
Claire
April 27th
North East Regional Championships Leeds
NER Finalists
James, Alexander and Sofia
Alexander was 9th in 50m Breaststroke
Sofia was 10th in 50m Breaststroke
James Ellis - Silver Medal in 100m Backstroke and 4th in 400m IM
James with his DARTES coach
New Armthorpe Swim Cap Championship Edition
April 23rd
We’re excited to reveal our brand new Armthorpe Yorkshire and Regional Championship swimming caps.
At these meets, standing out poolside isn’t easy when other clubs are rocking similar colours. Our previous blue cap helped and this one turns the volume up.
It builds on that idea, staying true to our look with a clean, bold design that’s unmistakably Armthorpe.
Not just kit, it’s earned. Awarded to swimmers who qualify for and represent Armthorpe at County and Regional Championships, on us. A serious achievement, and now it looks the part too.
Can’t wait to see it poolside and on YouTube this weekend!
Jonathan
April 15th
BEVERLEY COUNTY QUALIFIER.
Google form to follow .
SHORT DEADLINE SO GET THOSE ENTRIES IN FAST !!
Lee
Full details on the Gala Calendar Page
6th April
Basketball Social Event
Basketball Social Event
April 14th
Details for Sundays game …
Lee
New WHATSAPP CHANNEL
New WHATSAPP CHANNEL
Parents and Swimmers Only
March 28th
Today we celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Day
A huge THANK YOU to every single person who gives their time, energy, and heart to support Armthorpe Kingfishers Swimming Club
It’s not just the incredible work you see poolside it’s all the behind the scenes effort that continues long after everyone leaves the water. The hard work never stops, and it never goes unnoticed
Every single volunteer makes a difference and we truly appreciate everything you do to keep the club running smoothly
A special mention goes to our amazing treasurer, Michele Stilborn
Many of you may not know her, but she works tirelessly to keep the club’s finances in order
Even without having children at the club anymore, she still gives her time daily , which is absolutely incredible
And, a huge shoutout to our Head Coach Jonathan Tuffrey and Deputy Head Coach Lee Burkill
They ensure our coaching team is always supported and that training sessions run smoothly, while developing programmes that help every swimmer reach their full potential
You are all amazing THANK YOU
Nicola
March 25th
Training cancelled Easter Weekend
There will be no training on Friday 3rd April (C squad and lifesaving) and Saturday 4th April 2026 (A and B squad), as it is Easter weekend, so we have limited coaches available.
Wishing @everyone a very Happy Easter
Nicola
March 28th
Bridlington Summer Splash
I have just been contacted by Bridlington to say that the entry opening date has been moved to later in April.
If you were eagerly waiting for your entry to appear on Openmeets you can relax until the 25th April.
If you thought that you had missed the entry deadline you now have until Wednesday 22nd April to make entries. Please use the original Google form which is still live.
Sorry for the confusion, out of my control.
Shirley
ARMTHORPE SWIMMING CLUB
The Annual General Meeting of Armthorpe Swimming Club will be held on
Monday 20th April commencing at 7.30pm
Venue: Armthorpe Community Centre
AGENDA
1. Apologies
2. Minutes of the Previous AGM and Matters arising from those minutes
3. Chairs Report
4. Financial Report
5. Annual Reports – Welfare Report
Life Saving Report
Swim England Affiliation Report
6. Election of Officers
7. Any Other Business
Officers of the Club
Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Head Coach, Membership Secretary, Equipment Co-ordinator, Competitions Secretary, Swim England Affiliation Co-ordinator, Life Saving Secretary.
Nominations for election of members to any office or for membership of the Committee should be made in writing and signed by the Nominee, the Proposer and the Seconder. These should be to the Secretary no later than Sunday 29th March 2026.
March 23
Kingfishers.. this is a shout out to all those
... who show up - for better or worse - when it matters, and even when it doesn't!
... who put their arms round those who are struggling or upset
... who face an inner struggle - either against pain or confidence, but still swim
... who hold the youngest swimmers by the hand and tell them "you've got this"
... who put younger siblings before themselves
... who sacrifice family time to be taxi, referee, team manager, Head Coach, coach, official, meet organiser, spectator, swimmer
... who overcome jet lag to compete for their club
... leave everyone else at home to come and support their friends
... whose PBs have dried up (for now) but still swim for their team
... are happy for the success of others, even when it's not gone too well for themselves
... volunteers - who just quietly get on, without fuss or expectation
... who "give back"
... who hold the future of our club in very safe hands
... chase their dream - even when it looks a long way off
... sit for hours in cars, traffic, spectator areas, folding chairs - even if it is just for one race
... who notice the small wins
... senior swimmers who are always there for each other and for the club... because it is in their bones
... who never give up - on themselves, or each other
... who are crying inside, but put on a brave face
... who face the early starts and late finishes with a courage that inspires
... who may never be the stars, but still shine
... whose experience might have been missed from these thoughts
We see you
We value you
Thank you!
mary
March 22nd
Harrimans Success
What a brilliant day at The Harrimans!
So many first-time racers, nerves were there, but every swimmer got up, raced, and came away smiling. Superstars
PBs everywhere across the squad and fantastic team spirit on show. They were supportive, positive, and represented the club brilliantly
The “Double Lucas” 50m Free was a highlight… epic racing and pushing each other all the way, both now into 26s
Shoutout to Khloe Andre for the jokes of the day… still making us laugh!
A special mention to Miranda, Sam and Ben H for their help poolside, a huge thank you from the poolside team, exactly the attitude we love to see and really appreciate
Thank you to all swimmers, parents, coaches and volunteers for your amazing support!
Kingfishers you are fantastic!
Jonathan
Find all results from the Harrimans Gala under our competition results page
Henry
Arthur
Maisy
Henry and Ellis
Harrimans Gala
First race ever?
Nerves? Completely normal.
For some of you, The Harrimans or The Schofields will be your first experience of a swim meet — for both swimmers and parents. Here are a few simple tips to help the day run smoothly and make it an enjoyable experience for everyone:
What to bring:
Two towels (one for poolside, one for after)
A drink and a small snack (nothing messy please — bins are available)
Spare kit if you have it (goggles, hat, costume). Not essential, but helpful if something breaks
On the day:
Please no mobile phones in changing rooms — this is really important to respect everyone’s privacy
Swimmers should let a team manager know if they leave poolside at any time
At the end of the session, swimmers must check out with a team manager before going home
For swimmers:
It’s okay to feel nervous — everyone does
Focus on your own race and enjoy the experience
Give it your best effort and be proud of yourself
For parents:
Your support means everything — a smile and encouragement go a long way
Let the coaches handle the swimming, your role is to help the swimmers enjoy it
Most importantly — this is about learning, gaining experience, and having fun.
Kingfishers
Head high. Enjoy it.
Jonathan
March 19th
Following on from Kinglsey's video on this topic area aimed at our young Kingfisher swimmers, the latest production highlights the key concepts of 'Diversity and Inclusion' for all involved in the club.
This issue is a key component of the Swim England accreditation process which enables the club to operate.
Keith
March 17th
HARRIMANS GALA
Sunday 22nd March at Adwick Leisure Centre.
This gala is age at 31st December 2026
Session One 8yrs&Under. 9yrs. 11yrs. 13yrs. 15yrs
Arrive by 12.10pm Warm up 12.30pm.
Session Two 10yrs. 12yrs. 14yrs. 16yrs& over.
Arrive by 3.40pm. Warm up 4pm.
Spectator tickets at the door. PLEASE BRING CASH.
If you are unsure about anything please message me or I will be at training all week.
Thank you
Shirley
Harrimans Gala
Reminder that parents/carers are not allowed in the changing rooms.
Please arrive swim ready if your child struggles with independent changing.
Spectators entry is £5 CASH ONLY
Shirley
March 13th
I’ve made a group just for Armthorpe where we can all buy and sell good quality pre loved swimming equipment- costumes, fins, bags, goggles etc…
A great way to save some pennies
Nicola
BML Adwick 7th March
Great Start for the Team
A fantastic first round of the BML with brilliant effort from all swimmers. The racing, team spirit and support on poolside were excellent all afternoon
Big stat from the day:
57 swims were faster than entry times, meaning more than half of our races were improved times. That’s a brilliant sign that swimmers are stepping up when it counts
Stroke Highlights
Breaststroke and butterfly were particularly strong
Freestyle depth really shone through in the relays.
Relay Power
The relays were a big highlight with strong performances across the board the effort and teamwork from everyone was outstanding.
Great Across the Age Groups
It was fantastic to see strength right through the club, especially from our 9–10 and 11–12 swimmers, who put in some brilliant performances and showed how strong the next generation of the club is.
Tough Racing for Boys 13–14s
This group faced particularly strong competition, with some clubs fielding older swimmers including national athletes, but our swimmers competed really well and they all posted improved times
Team Effort
Overall this was a really balanced performance with everyone contributing to the result.
Huge well done to all swimmers for the effort, attitude and team spirit.
Plenty to build on as we head into Round 2!
Jonathan
March 3rd
Information for BML - Saturday 7th March 2026
Doors open: 4pm, if you arrive before this time please wait outside
Warm up: 4:15pm
Spectator tickets: £4 Cash only
Mobile phones: Reminder no mobile phones in the changing rooms.
Changing room: No adults in the changing room at anytime. If your child requires extra assistance then please speak with Nicola SK or Jonathan Tuffrey before Saturday, so we cNicola SKplanJonathan Tuffreyekeepers/ Officials: Please report to the Adwick ASC Club Room, which is along the corridor from the changing rooms, when you arrive.
Swimmers: Please ensure a team manager is aware if you are leaving poolside.
Wishing all the swimmers good luck and enjoy the event.
Any questions or concerns please speak with me, Jon or Lee Burkill
Nicola
March 2nd
Swim England
March 1st
March Sprints
Well done to all the swimmers in both sessions; some excellent performances and PBs. Thank you to all the volunteers who stepped up to ensure the smooth running of the Gala and as always thank you to the coaches and team managers who prepare the swimmers and support them always.
Shirley
Great Gala and great effort and enthusiasm from all our swimmers! You make us proud every time.
Mary
Stephen Tuffrey
An outstanding performance from our swimmers at the Mad March Sprints.
Special congratulations to Corey and Emily for achieving top Boy and Girl in their respective age categories , an exceptional result.
(report to follow )
Lee
February28th
February 26th
Kingfishers!
Sprint squad understand the assignment.
When it comes to speed? Yeah… we’re built different. Blocks set. Goggles on. No chill. Let’s hit the water and absolutely cook these races.
Key Info:
- Sunday 1st March
- Venue: Adwick Leisure Centre
- Pool: Short course (25m)
Session Times:
Session 1
- Arrive by 11:45 PM
- Warm-up be ready at 12:15 PM
Session 2
- Arrive by 15:15 PM
- Warm-up be ready at 15:45 PM
Spectator Info:
- Tickets: don’t forget your tickets!!
- Parents you will not be allowed in the changing rooms at all. Please stay out. Swim England and Adwick Leisure Centre are very strict on this!
Other bits:
- Age groups are based on swimmer’s age on 1st March 2026
- Can’t swim? Let us know ASAP so we can make withdrawals.
- Yellow Kingfisher hats only please!
Important Reminders
- No phones in change rooms. If seen with your phone in the changing area you will be disqualified from the whole event. Keep phones in bags/pockets.
- Swimmers stay in touch with coaches and always check in before leaving
- Cheer your teammates on!
First race ever?
Nerves? Normal. You’re entering your main character era…
Parents & Swimmers:
We know that for some of you this is your first experience of racing, here are a few things that will help you all enjoy the afternoon, and set you up future events as well:
- Bring two towels - one for poolside and one for getting changed at the end.
- Bring a drink and something small to eat that won’t make a mess. Please put litter in the bins provided.
- Ideally it is best to have two items of all swim kit, 2 goggles, 2 costumes and two hats. (It is not essential for this meet, so don’t go out rushing to buy extra stuff, but it is good practice in case anything breaks)
- Please do not use mobile phones in changing rooms, it is REALLY important that we respect everyone’s privacy. Keep phones in bags/pockets!
- Your safety; swimmers should let team managers know whenever they leave poolside so we know where everyone is. This is especially important at the end, please make sure your swimmer checks out with team managers before they go home.
Most importantly: have fun, empty the tank and smile wearing your goggles.
Kingfishers. Head high. Send it.
Jonathan
February 25th
March Sprints
MARCH SPRINTS SUNDAY 1st March
Adwick Leisure Centre. Final info from the organisers.
Session 1 warm up starts at 12.20pm
Session 2 warm up starts at 3.50pm.
You can check entries and sessions on Openmeets.
You should have been give a prepaid ticket, no ticket no entry.
There will be a programme to purchase on the day.
No one will allowed into the building before 12.15pm.
Parents/carers are not permitted in the changing rooms under any circumstances.
Please ask if you are unsure about anything.
Shirley
February 24th
BML Adwick 2026
Saturday 7th March Adwick Leisure Centre
Kingfishers,
Our first Barnsley Minors League event of 2026 is almost here.
Thank you to everyone who has completed the availability form — it really helps with selection.
We’re still awaiting 27 responses, so please complete it ASAP if you haven’t already.
We always try to give as much notice as possible, but with outstanding replies we’re unable to finalise the full squad just yet.
Congratulations to the swimmers selected for our first Premier League BML gala of 2026 — a fantastic team achievement.
This is a true team event. Race for each other. Support one another. Be proud to represent the Kingfishers.
If you haven’t been selected this time, I’m happy to provide feedback. More opportunities will come. Keep working hard and enjoy your swimming.
Selected swimmers, please confirm your attendance with Nikki Kirk.
Jonathan
February 23rd
KINGSLEY'S KORNER
Latest club video highlighting Diversity and Inclusion.
February 21st
Yorkshire Championships
Spring Yorkshire Championships
Final Weekend and what a way to finish!
We had 19 swimmers racing – 12 Armthorpe and 7 with Dartes – and we were right behind every single one of them.
This was our sprint weekend
From 24 Armthorpe swims, we delivered an outstanding 16 PBs, some of them HUGE!
We also had three fantastic finals swims from:
• Lucas Stallard
• Laura Garbacik
• Ander Drury
Laura finished a superb 8th in 50FR, while Ander and Lucas both powered to bronze in 50BR.
Racing a final shortly after heats is tough, but none of them went slower. All matched or improved their time and position. Excellent race craft.
Our Dartes swimmers impressed again with 9 PBs from 18 swims. Highlights included:
• James & Sofia 4th in 50FLY / 50BR
• Jack making two finals (50BR & 50FR)
• Sofia missing bronze by just 0.01s
• James finishing with a brilliant silver in 50BK
Incredible swimming all round.
Thank you to our swimmers for their courage and commitment, and to our parents for the constant positivity and support, that’s what makes this swim family so special.
And finally, a huge thank you to our coaching team. The time, care and energy invested week in, week out is what underpins some incredible achievements. We’re proud of the results, but even prouder of the people who make up our Armthorpe swim family.
A very successful Yorkshires all round.
March Sprints next! LET’S GOOO!!
Jonathan
Alexander Drury
Bronze Medal 50m Breaststroke
Wonderful achievement!
Lucas Stallard
Bronze Medal 50m Breaststroke
Amazing achievement!
Ponds Forge
Great day at the Yorkshire Sprints Championships with all our swimmers performing well; there were pb's galore and several finalists and medallists. Thank you to the parents and followers who were so supportive of all our swimmers and made a long day enjoyable in addition to the swimming Special mention to the coaches and team managers, not only for today but for all the work that goes into getting these swimmers ready to perform at every gala.
A huge thank you!
Shirley
Arthur and Jonathan
Jonathan
Miranda and Jonathan
Sam and Jonathan
Claire Nikki
Claire Nikki Jonathan
Great day, not only did they give it their all, they was also impeccably behaved and we really cannot ask for more. An absolute pleasure Jonathan Tuffrey Nicola SK
Claire
Miranda, Laura and Jennifer
Lucas, Corey, Sam and Ben
Zane, Jakub and Arthur
Emily and Laura
Emily, Laura and Miranda
Laura and Miranda
February 19th
No A squad training on Saturday 21st February 2026
Unfortunately there is no A squad training on Saturday due to coaches availability.
B squad training will go ahead as usual.
Nicola
February 19th
The final weekend of the Yorkshire Championships will see 19 of our swimmers competing with the best in Yorkshire at Ponds Forge.
Weekend 3 is sprint weekend, and sprinting is our strength. Let’s go show everyone our fire power
On Saturday 21st Feb, Armthorpe morning swimmers please all arrive latest 7:15am. Afternoon swimmers please arrive no later than 12 noon.
February 19th
Everyone please show your support to:
Arthur Fillingham
Jakub Garbacik
Jennifer Powell
Miranda Burkill
Lucas Stallard
Sam Fisher
Zane Knowles
Laura Garbacik
Ander Drury
Emily Kirk
Ben Hatton
Corey Irvine
Ben Gilson
Oscar Dewsnap
Ray Chapman
Sofia Sanders
Jack Jones
James Ellis
Abi Fisher
Rocket Mode, Full Send…
Jonathan
March Change to Gala Events
March Change to Gala Events
February 16th
With Dartes stepping away from the BML competition, we’ve updated the calendar. It does make March a little less hectic for some of us…!
Jonathan
February 15th
SUMMER SPLASH SWIMMING GALA
We’re making a splash this summer! Join us for an action-packed Swimming Gala, proudly hosted by our friends over at Doncaster Dartes
Date: Sunday 5th July
Location: John Charles centre for sport Leeds
Expect friendly competition, and plenty of poolside excitement for swimmers aged 9yrs - 15yrs & Over Whether you’re competing or cheering from the sidelines, come along and be part of a fantastic day.
Lee
Find fill details in our Gala calendar page
February 13th
The All Party Parliamentary Group for Swimming have launched an inquiry into the state of facilities
Swim England will be championing the importance of swimming pools and the need for investment.
Have your say here https://bit.ly/4rdHwwj
Responses will close on the 23rd February.
Mary
February 14th
Calling all parents/carers we need volunteers for Sunday 1st March
We are in need for volunteers to help out at the March Sprints gala on Sunday 1st March. If you are able to assist with roles such as timekeeping and poolside helpers then please let me know.
Thanks, Nikki
February 12th
We will confirm that swim traning at the pool is ON for tonight.
February 11th
No A or B squad training tonight - Wednesday 11th February due to pool closure.
Sorry for the inconvenience, this is out of our control. We will confirm about tomorrow once we have more information.
Nicola
And it's European Gold for Lucas!
From everyone at Armthorpe Kingfishers Swimming club: Hearty Congratulations on your well deserved success in Italy.
Lucas with his gold and silver medal haul
The Iceman Delivers
Lucas Johnson. What a week. What a swimmer.
Last week, Lucas raced 7 times in water temperatures below 3°C… and produced something seriously special.
Gold – 50m Breaststroke
Gold – 100m Breaststroke
Silver – 50m Freestyle
Silver – 100m Freestyle
He also played a huge role in three relays, helping GB to two heat wins before they placed 8th overall out of 32 countries — plus a second in the VIP Mixed Country Relay, narrowly missing bronze by just 0.2 seconds.
And then came the breakthrough moment…
Finally smashing the 30-second barrier in the 50m Freestyle.
Lucas now holds four British Junior Records and was the fastest Brit in the Italian Ice last week:
50m Breaststroke (1.4°C)
50m Freestyle (2.3°C)
100m Freestyle (2.8°C)
Add in an interview with one of GB’s official sponsors and it’s safe to say…
European Junior King of the Ice.
Pretty special stuff, Lucas. More to come…
Jonathan
Lucas with his gold and silver medal haul
The Iceman Delivers
Lucas Johnson. What a week. What a swimmer.
Last week, Lucas raced 7 times in water temperatures below 3°C… and produced something seriously special.
Gold – 50m Breaststroke
Gold – 100m Breaststroke
Silver – 50m Freestyle
Silver – 100m Freestyle
He also played a huge role in three relays, helping GB to two heat wins before they placed 8th overall out of 32 countries — plus a second in the VIP Mixed Country Relay, narrowly missing bronze by just 0.2 seconds.
And then came the breakthrough moment…
Finally smashing the 30-second barrier in the 50m Freestyle.
Lucas now holds four British Junior Records and was the fastest Brit in the Italian Ice last week:
50m Breaststroke (1.4°C)
50m Freestyle (2.3°C)
100m Freestyle (2.8°C)
Add in an interview with one of GB’s official sponsors and it’s safe to say…
European Junior King of the Ice.
Pretty special stuff, Lucas. More to come…
Jonathan
February 7th
Spring Yorkshires
Saturday afternoon Ander Drury & Lucas Stallard line up for the 100m breaststroke.
Sensible start time. Big race energy. Eyes on the walls lads!
Big cheers to our Dartes swimmers too.
Go smash it gang!
Join me in sending some energy to everyone racing this weekend
Jonathan
Feb 5th
After the Success Of our Sheffield steelers trip , I’m please to announce our next kingfishers event !!!!!
All Kingfishers & family welcome .
Lee
Feb 3rd
ll ritorno dell’Iceman
Big news from Italy as our very own Lucas The Iceman Johnson takes on the IISA European Open Championships in Molveno…
First up: Lucas has been officially selected for both GB Mixed Relay Teams! An incredible achievement and testament to his hard work and bravery.
Here’s how his week lines up:
• Monday: Opening Ceremony - GB flag bearer
• Wednesday (AM): 50m Breaststroke
• Wednesday (PM): 4x50m Mixed Freestyle Relay – Anchor leg
• Thursday (AM): 100m Breaststroke
• Thursday (PM): 4x50m Mixed Medley Relay – Breaststroke leg
• Friday: 50m Freestyle
• Saturday: 100m Freestyle
With some strong European competition, the focus is on racing hard, chasing times, and building experience as part of his Junior/U18 European journey.
From club sessions to the European stage, we couldn’t be prouder.
Go get it, Lucas, we’re with you all the way (from where it’s warmer)!
Jonathan
#TheIcemanReturns #ProudClub #GBSelection #EuropeanStage #HardWorkPaysOf
February 2nd
Masterclass announcement
Harvey Williamson
A Squad Swimmers
Will be great to see Harvey back at Armthorpe!!
Lee
January 30th
Costume Guidance… message for ALL swimmers
Good morning, everyone. Further to our earlier post regarding “Costume Guidance” - could we emphasise that the guidance applies to swimmers across all squads. This is a strategy aimed at safeguarding swimmers of ALL ages, along with our volunteers - whether they be coaches or helpers. Please look again at the two options and make your choice so that the club can function effectively and with due regard to the importance of safeguarding best practice. Many thanks
Mary
January 29th
Parents’ Notice
We’ve noticed a recent increase in swimmers sitting out of training, spending extended time adjusting goggles, and taking multiple toilet breaks during sessions.
We completely understand that swimmers may occasionally need the toilet and that goggles sometimes need adjusting. However, repeated breaks (e.g. 3–4 times in a single session) can disrupt training and affect focus and progress.
If a swimmer has a medical condition that requires frequent toilet breaks or rest periods, please let the coaching team know so we can support them appropriately.
Otherwise, swimmers are expected to:
• Arrive prepared for training (including using the toilet beforehand where possible)
• Limit goggle adjustments to what’s necessary
• Remain engaged and in the water unless instructed otherwise by a coach
Thank you for your support in helping sessions run smoothly and ensuring all swimmers get the most out of their training
Lee
January 29th
Costume Guidance – Please Read
We understand that swimmers like to follow swimwear trends and wear the latest kit.
However, we’ve identified a safeguarding concern with tie-back costumes during training. If a swimmer needs the toilet mid-session, these costumes often can’t be managed independently, our coaches are uncomfortable when being asked to help with this.
For safeguarding reasons, coaches should not be placed in this position, and we are committed to maintaining clear professional boundaries at all times.
To be clear moving forward, one of the following must apply:
• Costumes that require tying or adult assistance are not worn to training, or
• A parent/guardian must be available to assist their child if they need to leave the pool mid-session
This isn’t about stopping fun — it’s about safeguarding swimmers, coaches, and the club.
Thank you for your understanding and support
Mary
Friday 23rd January
The Schofields Presentation Evening
Presentation Night
Lucas Johnson
Sub 1 minute 100m Freestyle Award
Top Boy/Girl Over 16s -
Vlad /Paige
Kingsley
Club Chair - Nikki
Pete Miranda Jonathan
Schofield’s Top Girl 14 years
Pete Lloyd Jonathan
Coach Award C Squad
Aria
Schofield’s Top Girl 11 years
Ben and Evie
Khloe & Kingsley
Three Award winners (L-R) Orla, Evie N and Finty.
Victoria Ludorum -
Swimmers who won all their races at the Schofield’s: including James, Lucas S, Lauren, Alice, Emily and Paige
Emily D, Maisy, Megan, Helena, Mia, Miranda and Laura
Two of our 7 NLA Bronze Star Awards - Emily D and Laura.
Some of our 15 NLA Bronze Certificate Awards - Life Saving: Rowan, Zeke, Ethan, Jakub and Nadia
Kelsey & Kingsley
Wednesday 21st January
20th January
Fri 23rd Jan 26 - Schofield’s Presentation Night
A massive thank you for all these donations
No entry fee or tickets required though raffle tickets will be on sale at £2 a strip (cash only), all proceeds will go direct to our club.
Claire
Sheffield, Level 1, Winter Open meet
13th January
James Ellis was competing alongside Swimming legends and Olympic champions like James Guy and Matt Richards. He swam in 9 events and came away with 2 GOLD medals in the 50m fly and 200m Back, 3 SILVER Medals in the 50m backstroke, 100m Fly and 100m freestyle as well as 3 bronze medals in the 100m backstroke, 200IM and 50m freestyle. He also came away with a huge 9 second PB in his 200m fly. A really exciting weekend for James!
COSSS Winter Meet 2026
Another event this weekend for two of Armthorpe’s Greats! Sofia Sanders and James Ellis will be representing DARTES and rubbing shoulders with Olympians this weekend at Ponds Forge!
Stand tall, be confident and swim fast! We’re right behind you.
Jonathan
The results
The results
Hi,
I just wanted to say thank you to Jonathan Tuffrey for his post the other day, wishing our Kingfishers 'Iceman' Lucas Johnson well for The Really Cold Swimming Championships @ Rother Valley & Let you know how he got on (if you haven't seen already)
Lucas raced & completed all four of his events yesterday, in truly baltic outdoor conditions & a water temperature of 2.1 degrees (The coldest he's ever swam in before) But he did himself & the club proud once again, coming away with three gold medals, in the 50m Breaststroke, the 100m Freestyle & the 100m Individual Medley... & took Silver in his last event of the day 50m Freestyle.
In those conditions, very courageous & outstanding. achievements I'm sure you'll agree. But also great experiences & practice, for the next stop on his Ice swimming journey, which will be in Molveno, Italy, with Team GB in February
Thanks for all your good wishes for him this weekend I'm sure he'll thank you himself when he see's you back at the pool for training on Wednesday
Let's go Kingfishers & all the best to you all for 2026
Aaron.
The Iceman Returns
This weekend, Armthorpe Kingfishers’ Lucas Johnson heads into one of the toughest tests in the sport as he competes in The Really Cold Championships at Rother Valley. It’s an event where calm thinking, control and courage are essential. Iceman stuff!
Following his fantastic performances at the GB Championships in Scotland, Lucas currently sits 10th overall in the 2025/26 World Cup Series Ice Swimming Rankings! An outstanding achievement and a real credit to his dedication, resilience and composure.
Sunday’s race programme:
• 10:40 – 50m Breaststroke
• 11:45 – 100m Freestyle
• 13:55 – 100m Individual Medley
• 14:50 – 50m Freestyle
Calm under pressure. Brave in the cold.
Lucas represents some strong Armthorpe Kingfishers values.
You don’t need luck but you can have it anyway! Good luck this weekend Iceman, we’re all behind you.
Jonathan
Spring Yorkshires 2026
I’m sure you will all join me in congratulating the following 13 swimmers for achieving Yorkshire qualifying times for the spring Yorkshire Championships 2026!
Miranda Burkill Alexander Drury. Arthur Fillingham Sam Fisher Jakub Garbacik Laura Garbacik
Benjamin Hatton Corey Irvine Lucas Johnson Emily Kirk Zane Knowles Jennifer Powell Lucas Stallard
Also well done to 7 of our DARTES swimmers who have also achieved qualifying times:
Ray Chapman Oscar Dewsnap James Ellis Abigail Fisher Ben Gilson Jack Jones Sofia Sanders
(Entries via DARTES)
The closing date for entries is 14th January 2026, so please let me know via direct message to confirm the swims you want to race. I need your confirmation by 5pm 12th January to complete the entry admin in time. A screenshot of which swims are eligible for each (Armthorpe) swimmer is below.
Races are £6 each and are split between John Charles in Leeds and Ponds Forge in Sheffield.
Well done to all swimmers once again!
Jonathan
Monday 5th January
Harrogate Janus Meet 2026
Well done Kingfishers!
Another fantastic weekend of racing and our first time competing in Harrogate. The meet was brilliantly organised, at a great venue and in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere with a huge range of events.
Our swimmers showed real confidence and ambition, stepping up to new challenges with many racing 200m and 100m events for the very first time. Their bravery paid off with a brilliant haul of personal bests across the team
There were a small number of disqualifications, and the way swimmers responded was outstanding. They showed true mental resilience to bounce straight back and post PBs in their very next races. Exactly the mindset we love to see
Special shout-out to Sam
• An outstanding 400 IM — laser-focused pre-race, composed throughout and a strong fast finish for another impressive PB
• And going sub-30 in the 50m Freestyle for the first time!
Fantastic swimming, well done Sam
Huge thanks to our coaches, team managers and parents for their continued support. And to all our swimmers, your attitude, behaviour and team spirit were exemplary.
Awesome work, Kingfishers!
Jonathan
Stephen
Stephen and Noah
Evan, Ray, Zane, Harrison
Finty, Evie N, Jessica Abigail
Jessica, Abigail, Evie N, Kelsey and Eleanor
Zane and Alexandeer B
Sunday 4th January
And it's Gold!
Congratulations to Evie G as she achieves 3 gold medals for 400m free, 200m back and 100m breaststroke at this weekend’s Janus Meet at Harrogate!
January 2nd
Harrogate Janus 2026
Happy New Year Kingfishers!
First race of the year and can’t wait to get back at it! The weather forecast is looking cold so please give yourselves plenty of time to get there. The Sunday session last year was nearly snowed off!
Key info:
- It’s at Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre, Jenny Field Drive, Harrogate. HG1 2RP
- It’s short course / 25m pool
- Age groups are based on the swimmer’s age as of 4th January 2026
- Morning sessions – Arrive by 7:30 AM, warm-up at 8:00 AM,
- Afternoon sessions – Arrive by 12:30 PM, warm-up at 1:00 PM
Please double-check your entries and session times via the Google form you submitted.
Reminders:
- Wear your yellow Kingfishers hat so we can easily support each other poolside.
- Stay in touch with coaches and check in before leaving.
- No mobile phones in the changing rooms at all!
- Have fun and support your team mates.
Give it everything and enjoy the experience.
! Let’s get at it Kingfishers !
Jonathan
Welcome to 2026
Welcome to 2026
What a great way to start of 2026 with the news that Lucas is now a qualified lifeguard. Hearty congratulations from all at Kingfishers.
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