A young swimmer from Oldham will be representing her home town as she faces off fierce competition in a regional championship this summer.

Sophie Power has been swimming with her home, club Oldham Seals, since June 2021.

The youngster initially trained three evenings a week under the supportive and dedicated eye of the Head Coach, Zoe Carter, and soon found her passion and talent for the sport.

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Describing the 11-year-old as 'driven' and 'ambitious' for "always aiming to achieve 100 per cent in all she does", Oldham Aquatics said Sophie then joined the Advanced Training Squad in February last year where she has been mentored and coached through the competitive squads by John Patterson, Leah Patterson and now Matt Lee, who himself trains and competes with the Oldham Aquatics Masters Squad.

Channelling her determination and all the guidance from her coaches, Sophie then qualified and attended the Lancashire County Championships in January this year along with just six other swimmers where she competed n the 50m breaststroke.

She was supported in person by her family and by her coaches plus her Swim family via the live link.

Now, the youngster will be attending the summer regional championships, held on May 4, where she will be competing in the 50m breaststroke, 100m breaststroke, 200m breaststroke and 100m butterfly.

Reacting to the news, a spokesperson for Oldham Aquatics said: "We would like to wish Sophie all the very best for her races and will be watching via live link with pride.

"Sophie is certainly carving her path in the competitive swim world and putting Oldham on the map."

Oldham Aquatics also has one of the few Masters squads in Greater Manchester.

Coached by Vicki Morreal, the squad, which also consists of Matt Lees (coach) and Jo McCue (Oldham Aquatics Club Chairman), will be competing at Trafford on May 11.

The club added: "They will be achieving great results and no doubt receiving many medals as they did in previous competitions earlier this year.

"Oldham Aquatics swimmers are certainly ones to watch, training daily, setting their goals high and smashing them." 

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