RTW Monson success at the Arena League

Top swimmers across all age groups at RTW Monson participated in two Arena League South Division competitions this year. The competition includes swimmers of all ages (from 9 years for relays and 10 years for individual races) and competing in 51 events (individual and relay).

The premier swimming league competition in England and Wales is now in its 50th year, with nearly 400 teams and over 16,000 swimmers, in team relays and individual events from across six individual leagues in the country. The six individual leagues undertake three rounds, in October, November and December of each year, that all take place on the same day across the country, to crown the individual league’s champion, and to identify qualifiers for entry into the National B-Final and the National Cup Final. These finals will be held in Cardiff in March 2024. We will hear in the new year if we have secured a place in the Cup final or the B-final.

The first Cup Final took place in 1970, with eight teams. In 2001 the ‘B’ final was added with eight teams. In 2007 both finals moved to ten teams each, and that has continued ever since. RTW Monson are in the South League, competing as one of 81 teams across five divisions. Our A team competed in the Premier division competing with 17 other clubs and our B team competed in Division One East with 17 other clubs.

At the end of round three, our A team came overall 3rd in the Premier Division after a thrilling event at Wycombe on Saturday and hope to secure a place in one of the finals in March. Our B team won their final round at Hartsdown in Margate on Saturday and came overall 13th in the Division. Overall, across all three rounds, our swimmers swam hard, achieved personal bests, and some managed to secure Kent County times for 2024, and most of all had fun with fellow athletes. We look forward to hearing the outcome of all the results across the country to see if RTW Monson have secured a place in one of the finals.

Head Coach Adam Naylor said “To finish 3rd in the South East region is the clubs best result in their history, it’s an incredible team achievement! The hard work by our swimmers and coaches is integral in the continued elevation of the club’s profile nationally. It’s also the first time since before Covid that we’ve been able to field two teams in excess of 30 swimmers and it’s brilliant to see their togetherness and desire to succeed for each other”.