Swimming stars have lots to smile about

But then talent has never been an issue for the progressive club – just ask Simon Cowell.

Four years ago Zoe Cooper flew the flag for Walsall when she appeared on Britain's Got Talent as part of a synchronised swimming act called Aquabatique.

The TV exposure, coupled with the fact London hosted the Olympics the same year, helped boost the sport's profile and Baker now oversees a membership of around 75.

Cooper is still part of the set-up, competing and coaching, despite a few years showcasing her skills around the world.

"Zoe has done all kinds of weird and wonderful things and gets to go all over the world," said Baker. "She was in act called Aquabatique on Britain's Got Talent in 2012 just before the Olympics.

"They got to the final and they had to do their routine outside because they couldn't get the tank into the studio. It raised the profile of the sport and we had a lot of inquiries from off the back of that.

"The programme Splash, that Tom Daley was in, had synchro swimmers in it every week and Zoe was in pretty much every episode of that as well."

Baker has been associated with the club for 23 years, having joined as a nine-year-old. And she is delighted with the progress over the past few years.

"I have been running the club for the last 10 years or so," she said. "It was one of those things, I kind of got hooked and I have never left.

"We have doubled in size since 2012, which was our 40th anniversary.

"We used to do a lot going into schools to push to get new members. But it's something we don't really do anymore, we tend to find they come to us.

"We have a steady flow of people who say 'I have heard about your club, can we come along and have a trial?'.

"As the club gets bigger we need more volunteers, but we have got a good group of people that help run everything. This last 12 months we have really started to see our profile improve. We are not doing too badly."

They certainly didn't do too badly in the National Championships in December, as Baker explains.

"We ended up with five teams competing in the nationals in December," she said.

"Three recreational and two competitive – that's the most we have ever had.

"Our 12 and unders finished sixth and the majority of them are 12 and under again this year so we hope to be up among the medals.

"Robyn Swatman finished seventh in the 12 and under section and sixth in the solo.

"Pyper Watkins was eighth in the solo event in the in the 13, 14, 15 age group, which was brilliant because she qualified in12th so she pulled up four places.

"Both Pyper and Robyn were selected for England talent trials and Robyn was then selected for the England Development squad

"The club is very proud of them. Next year we want to get a few more selected.

"Alongside that we have got five girls going to what's known as beacon training.

"They get to train with a beacon club, which is a talent hub. They are training with Bristol and they are the top club in the country.

"At the younger end of the club there is some real talent coming through, which is really, really positive."

The club is currently having to travel to Darlaston and RAF Cosford for training while their usual base, Walsall Gala Baths, undergoes a refurbishment.

"At the moment things are a bit awkward with not having the pool," added Baker. "We are in the middle of a bit of chaos.

"We rely on deep water and there are not a lot of pools with deep water in this area. We are the only club in the Black Country so we get people travelling from various places. But it's something we have got to put up with to have a better facility."

The training is at its most intense at this time of the year with fitness and stamina the key issues.

"The comps start in April and we work our way up to the nationals in December," continued Baker.

"People don't appreciate how hard the sport is. It does get ridiculed because of the nose clips and the smiles. But they are trained to look like they are not tired. You can't show the judges that you are tired.

"They are very highly trained and we spend all year trying to perfect a routine that is three to four minutes long. It seems ridiculous but it does take a lot of time to pull everything together."

The costs are another issue, with the club carrying out various events to help raise funds.

"Pool hire is expensive and we probably spend £20,000 a year on that," said Baker. "Costumes are £500-£600 a set and sometimes more than that if they are handmade. It all adds up, but we raise money ourselves."

The club is open to new members and offers a three-week free trial to beginners.

"We take children from five but they have got to be proficient and happy in the water," added Baker.

"Generally most tend to start around seven or eight and we are always happy to take new members."

For more details contact Baker on 07545 787 150 or go www.walsallssc.webeden.co.uk.