STROUD Swimming Club has started 2006 with a new vision.

A new committee was elected in January to move the club forward as it makes changes to its structure which will enable the club to apply for ASA Swim 21 accreditation, the kite mark of a progressive, well-run swimming club.

Two new coaches, Jane Seymour and Caroline Robertson, have joined the coaching team and the swimmers have started their 2006 County Championships campaign well with a good tally of medals after only two weekends of competition.

In the County Blocks gold medals have been won by Imogen Wells (Age 11 400m free), Kerrie Aldridge (Age 20+ 200m back and 200m breaststroke), Bret Bassett (Age 12 200m fly), David MacArthur (Age 18/19 200m back and 200m fly), Tomos Wyn-Jones (Age 12 200m IM) and Ben Whiting (Age 10 200m back).

Silver medals have been won by David MacArthur (Age 18/19 400m free) Natasha Johnston (Age 12 200m back), Andrew Sprague (Age 17 200m back) and Charlotte Morgan (Age 15 200m fly) and bronze medals by Dan Woodward (Age 13 1500m free), Tomos Wyn-Jones (Age 12 800m free), Natasha Johnston (Age 12 400m free), Charlotte Morgan (Age 15 200m free), Peter Foster (Age 17 200m back), Bret Bassett (Age 12 200m IM), Ben Jones (Age 13 200m fly), Imogen Wells (Age 11 200m back) and Ben Whiting (Age 10 50m free) Maddie Lowson, Robyn Perry, Zo Browning, Bret Bassett, Dan Woodward, Megan Roberts, Grace Woodward, Tomos Wyn-Jones, Natasha Johnston, Natasha Sprague, Brogan Jones and Ben Jones also swam PBs to finish just outside a podium finish but in the top eight in other Age Group events to be awarded place medals. County Blocks continue on 25th February at GL1.

*The club's Cotswold League campaign is also underway with a first and second place finish in the first two galas, despite a depleted team in round one due to illness.

Meanwhile, a group of young swimmers travelled to Swansea at the end of January to take part in the New Year Dragon meet in the new National Pool of Wales where Zo Browning and Ben Jones both reached the finals, with Ben Jones winning a silver medal in the 50m free.

They met Olympic Bronze medallist David Davies on poolside during the event.

*Trials for the Club will be held at Stratford Park Leisure Centre on the first Thursday of each month and anyone interested in joining should contact the membership secretary on 01453 885051 to arrange a trial.

The club also has a new website (www.stroudswimmingclub.co.uk) which has lots of information if you want to find out more about Stroud Swimming Club.