Bishop’s Stortford Swimming Club announce sponsorship deal with Pestell & Co and Rosey Lea

Bishop’s Stortford Swimming Club members bagged 177 medals when they and Harlow Penguins hosted their second joint Regional Qualifier Open Meet.

Stortford swimmers, from the junior squads all the way through to masters, also set a host of personal bests while five short course club records were broken at Harlow Leisurezone.

There were more than 300 athletes in action as clubs from across the region, including Epping Forest, New Hall, Harwich and Brentwood, all came to compete.

Stortford members took part in 298 events, with 198 races resulting in PBs and 33 swimmers set PBs in all of their races.

The overall Stortford medal haul was 86 gold, 53 silver and 38 bronze.

Ten swimmers from the junior squad took part in their first open meet and three of them secured medals. They were Ruby Penny, 10, who took silver in the 50m backstroke, nine-year-old Lara Crotty, who claimed silver in the 50m butterfly, and Otis Mastin, 10, who won gold in the 50m breaststroke.

Ailbhe Millsom, Morgan Richards, both nine, Harrison Dodwell, 11, Edie Foster, Tom Hughes, both 14, and 16-year-old Daniel Csincsak all secured top-three finishes and PBs in all of their events.

Taras Boiko (male age 10-11) broke the short course club record in both the 100m fly (1min 12.25sec) and 200 individual medley (2.39.36).

Other record breakers were Dylan Davenport (50m free, male age 14-15, 24.73sec), Benjamin Green (100m back, male nine/under, 1.37.71) and Millsom (100m breast, female nine/under, 1.52.20).

Stortford unveiled their newly-branded kit at the meet having announced new partnerships with two businesses in the town.

Estate agent Pestell & Co and cafe Rosey Lea are both sponsoring the club’s shirts.

“We are very proud to be supporting BSSC,” said Pestell & Co director Mark Hoddle. “The club plays a very important role in the local community and we look forward to watching the continued success following the amazing performances at both Counties and the Arena League.”

Rosey Lea owner Leanne Gregory added: “We believe that Rosey Lea is not just a business, but it also plays an important role within the local community, bringing local people together. “We believe that Bishop’s Stortford Swimming Club provides the same values and we have been inspired by the dedication shown by all of the swimmers.”

Stortford’s 200 swimmers will be modelling their new kit as they compete across the county as the 2024-25 swimming season ramps up.

Club secretary Paul Davenport said: “Having the sponsorship and support from both Pestell & Co and Rosey Lea is such a big thing for the club. It really brings the community together and the funds allow us to provide even greater support for our swimmers.

“Thank you to Pestell & Co and Rosey Lea for their generous sponsorship.”