Dedicated trio ready for swimming's national championships

For they have successfully qualified for this summer’s national championships, to be held at the Ponds Forge international pool in Sheffield.

Not many teenagers are committed enough to their sport to get up at the crack of dawn every morning, especially at weekends. But 15-year-old Lily, 17-year-old Elliot and 15-year-old Owen think nothing of making the two-hour round trip to Yorkshire six days a week to train with the City Of Sheffield squad. They have to balance meals, revision, homework and exams with their punishing training schedule.

Now they will be hoping that they are rewarded with medals and personal-best times at the national championships, which will play host to some of the UK’s top swimmers. For most, it will also be their final major meet of the season, so they will be keen to make an impression.

Before then, however, Boseley also has the small matter of the European Junior Championships to concentrate on. They start in Netanya, Israel this week, bringing together the leading swimmers from across the continent.

Selection was earned at the British Championships in April, and Lily is one of a squad of 37 youngsters flying the flag for Team GB.