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The final selections for the Team England swimming squad for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games have been announced yesterday, after the initial roster was announced in October.
Among the line-up is double Commonwealth silver medallist Aimee Willmott, Commonwealth champion James Wilby and Paralympic, World, European and Commonwealth gold medallist Ollie Hynd.
Wilby swam the breaststroke leg in the heats for England’s gold medal-winning 4x100m Medley Relay quartet at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealths.
The York-born swimmer secured his place on the team at the Swim England National Winter Championships 2017 where he ducked under the consideration time twice and won a hat-trick of gold medals.
Commenting on his selection, Wilby said: “The Commonwealth Games is always an enjoyable experience.
“Glasgow 2014 was the first international meet that I ever competed in, and it’s always good because it’s known as the friendly games. It’s good to get some experience and race against some great guys.”
Mansfield-born Hynd is no stranger to the senior ranks in swimming. As well as winning the para-swimming grand slam of Paralympic, World, European and Commonwealth golds, Hynd holds world records in the 200m and 400m Freestyle (S8) and the SM8 200m Individual Medley.
The Gold Coast 2018 will be Hynd’s second appearance for Team England at a Commonwealth Games, having made his debut at Glasgow 2014.
The 23-year-old said: “I am very proud to be selected for my second Commonwealth Games.
“It’s a great privilege to represent Team England. I can’t wait to get out to Gold Coast and experience the amazing atmosphere of the Games.
“I’ve been working very hard in the pool to be in the best shape possible and try to defend the title I gained four years ago in Glasgow.”
Willmott is one of the most experienced athletes in the squad, this being her third outing for Team England.
The Middlesbrough-born swimmer experienced her first major international at Delhi 2010, and then claimed two silvers at Glasgow 2014.
She secured her place on the 2018 team when she took the title in the 400m Individual Medley at the Swim England National Winter Championships 2017 with a swim that ducked under the consideration time.
Commenting on her selection, Willmott said: “My first memories of senior swimming were at the Commonwealth Games. I swam at Delhi and I was one of the youngest on the team. This time round I’ll be one of the oldest on the team.
“It’s a great environment for swimmers from England to make the team and get that experience. That’s one of the great things about the Commonwealths.”
Also announced today are three additions to the Team England coaching staff; Head Coach at Newcastle SC Ryan Livingstone, Loughborough University Performance Coach Ian Hulme and Millfield School’s Director of Swimming, Euan Dale.
New Additions to Team England Swimming Squad:
- Jess Fullalove (University of Bath SC)
- Chloe Golding (City of Manchester Aquatics)
- Anna Hopkin (Ealing SC)
- Jessica Jackson (Plymouth Leander SC)
- Anna Maine (Woking SC)
- Eleanor Robinson (Northampton Swimming Club)
- Rosie Rudin (City of Sheffield)
- Laura Stephens (Plymouth Leander SC)
- Alice Tai (NPC/Bournemouth Collegiate School)
- Aimee Willmott (University of Stirling)
- Abbie Wood (Loughborough University)
- Elliot Clogg (Loughborough University)
- David Cumberlidge (Edinburgh University)
- Thomas Fannon (Plymouth Leander SC)
- Jonathan Fox (NPC/City of Manchester Aquatics)
- Thomas Hamer (NPC/City of Manchester Aquatics)
- Oliver Hynd (Nova Centurion SC)
- Cameron Kurle (University of Bath SC)
- Jacob Leach (Cockermouth SC)
- Joe Litchfield (City of Sheffield)
- Jarvis Parkinson (Loughborough University)
- Jacob Peters (Poole SC)
- Lewis White (City of Derby Swimming Club)
- James Wilby (Loughborough University)
The above press release courtesy of Team England
The separation of the Home Nations for this event does tend to complicate putting the performances into a full international context but, in reality grouping all ENG/SCO & WAL performances as GBR is the only way to do so.
Looking at this ENG squad and even with the split; they will most likely be the most successful team on the men’s side of the meet. Not to say that there are not some glaring weaknesses (some free and back) but they should win the most men’s golds and overall medals.
The women’s side is not nearly as strong and will most likely be trailling in the wake of CAN & AUS in most events and all relays with exception of IMs and possibly the (very open) breaststrokes.