THE City of Ely Swimming Club had a successful visit to the new Cambridgeshire County Novice Gala in Peterborough last week. The Ely team brought home a haul of eight gold, five silver and four bronze medals. It was the first major competition for 10-year

THE City of Ely Swimming Club had a successful visit to the new Cambridgeshire County Novice Gala in Peterborough last week.

The Ely team brought home a haul of eight gold, five silver and four bronze medals.

It was the first major competition for 10-year-old Ellie Howard, but she rose to the challenge and won a gold medal for the 200m freestyle.

Emma Galley, 15, was the club's most successful swimmer with three gold medals in the 200m backstroke, 50m butterfly and 200m freestyle.

And Jack O'Connor, 13, won two gold medals in the 100m and 200m freestyles.

The other gold medal winners were Chris Paines, 16, in the individual medley, and Claudia Mason, 12, in the 200m breaststroke.

The gala is designed to develop young swimmers in three events throughout the year and achieve faster qualifying times.

Club chairman Paul Hill said: "This was the first event under this new format and our swimmers rose to the challenge.

"Every swimmer who took part for Ely managed to beat their previous best times and some were rewarded with medals of which they can all be very proud.

"They will all go on to move up through the county ranks and we expect to see more successes throughout the coming season."

Ely Swimming Club trains at the Paradise Pool on Mondays (7.30pm-9pm), Wednesdays (7pm-9pm), Thursdays (7pm-8pm) and Sunday mornings (8am-10am).

New members of all ages are welcome to attend any session for a trial.