Swimmers and coaches from Kingsbridge Kingfishers Swimming Club have been recognised for their outstanding achievements at a recent award ceremony hosted by the mayor of Plymouth writes Alison Seldon.

The ceremony celebrated the achievements of swimmers at the recent annual Ply­mouth City Champion­ships.

Kingsbridge kingfishers swimmer Emma Noyce, 17, was the winner of the senior girls trophy for her exceptional performances.

Emma won no less than six gold, two silver and one bronze medal in the age group finals at the championships and she also won gold medals in the open age group finals for 100m backstroke and 100m butterfly, as well as a silver medal in the 100m individual medley.

Award for top boy went to Ben Cusack aged 15. Ben won the Lord Mayor’s Salver Perpetual Challenge Trophy, generously donated by councillor Vivien Pengelly in 2013 when she was lord mayor of Plymouth.

This award goes to the top performing boy and girl swimmers over the whole gala, they are held for one year but they also get a miniature to keep.

Ben achieved a massive total of eight personal best times at the gala, including, one gold, one silver and four bronze medals in the age group finals. He also qualified for three of the open age group finals and came seventh in back stroke, sixth in breast stroke and eighth in freestyle.

The mayor of Ply­mouth also recognises people who have made a significant contribution to the world of swimming. The Leaze Shield is awarded in recognition of endeavour and excellence.

Nominations are invited from all the clubs within the City Of Plymouth group for deserving candidates.

The chairman takes the ultimate decision on who receives the award and this year the award went to Mel Jeynes of Kingfishers.

Mel has been a coach and official at swim meets for many, many years and is president of Kings­bridge King­fishers Swimming Club.

He also coaches poolside for the club and is admired and respected by everyone at King­fishers from the young­est bronze-squad swimmers that he coaches on poolside to the oldest swimmers, parents and all the coaches.

Everybody involved with the Kingfishers wishes to say well done and thank you to Mel for all that he has done for the club. Kings­bridge King­fishers are in the middle of their annual Club Champ­ionships at the mo­ment.

This runs over two weeks during Novem­ber and Decem­ber and culminates on Satur­day.

From Saturday, the club is also offering two new training sessions on a Saturday morning alongside the existing club sessions.

From 7am to 8am the club is running a masters session (for ages 18 and up).

This is designed for quite serious swimmers who want to improve speed and stamina, for example anyone competing in biathlons and triathlons.

There is also a new bronze squad training Session from 8am to 9am, open to existing and new swimmers who would like to join the club.

Please contact Mat Cusack on [email protected] if you would like more information.