Harrogate District Swimming Club is celebrating its most successful-ever performance at the 2026 Aquatics GB Championships after producing three British champions.
The club won five British Championship gold medals, two relay medals and finished 11th in the overall medal table - an outstanding achievement for the volunteer-led club competing against some of the country's biggest swimming programmes.
Lily Stansfield claimed two British titles in the 50m and 100m butterfly, while Lois Child was crowned British champion in the 400m individual medley after also winning the Aquatics GB Next Gen title in the 200m individual medley.
Amelia Wright successfully defended her British 100m freestyle title to become a back-to-back British champion.
The championships ended with more success as HDSC's girls won silver in the 4x100m medley relay and bronze in the 4x100m freestyle relay.
Reflecting on her success, Lily said:
"Going into the competition with no pressure, I had no idea I would come out as British champion in both the 100m and 50m fly surpassing all my expectations!
"But the cherry on top was going out one last time with my best-friends in the relays and picking up two medals putting harrogate on the map! The perfect end to the best season!"
Lois said:
"Nine-year-old me definitely didn’t know what we were getting into. From tears before my very first 400m Individual Medley and declaring I’d never swim it again… to becoming British Champion."
Amelia added:
"I’m so pleased to have defended my British 100m Freestyle title. I really had to dig deep as the competition gets stronger every year.
"It was also amazing to be part of such a special relay team alongside some of my best friends. We did ourselves and HDSC proud."
Head Coach Julian Harforth was also recognised with the GB Aquatics Coach of the Day Award, while 15-year-old Amaja Waters reached two championship finals on her British Championships debut.
Julian said:
"HDSC was blessed the day these three girls walked through our doors as young children.
"They grew up together, built lifelong friendships and trained in an environment where hard work, respect and supporting one another were just as important as winning.
"These three are a huge credit to themselves, their families and the club they proudly represent.
"They prove that with the right environment, ordinary beginnings can lead to extraordinary achievements."
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