Phoenix rising with a second promotion

Phoenix claimed the honours in the final league meet of the season at Cannock Leisure Centre and will compete in the top flight of the Staffordshire League next year.

They finished 21 points clear of second-placed Wolverhampton to add the Division Two title to the Division Three crown they won the previous year.

It sparked celebrations for the team of Sean Cashmore, Finley Ryan, Ava Jones, Scarlett Williams, Steven Neish, Mason Goddard, Liam Quigg, Alice Toon, Leah Wright, Emily Brown, Sydney Williams, Charley Ryan, Owen Neish, Matt Ellwood, Emma Shepherd, Emily Westwood, Niamh Quigg, James Bates, Henry Belai, Sinead Quigg, Chloe Jones, Joe Davis, Ben Whitehouse, Oliver Goodhead and Luke Thomas.

Head coach Luke Thomas said: "I am overwhelmed and so proud of the swimmers and the club. The many hours of hard work from the swimmers, coaches, committee and parents shows the strength and unity within the team."

It's all a far cry from three years ago when the club was struggling near the bottom of the third division.

The progress is very much 'in-house' as committee member and schools liaison office Patrick Ryan explained.

"A lot of the success is down to our head coach Luke Thomas, but one of the key things is that we are so family-orientated," said Ryan. "All of the coaches except Luke are parents of children that swim for the club.

"Our operating method is try and involve the parents as much as possible. We really want it to be a fun and engaging club. Luke has been the coach for five or six years and he is fantastic, the kids absolutely love him. He actually swims at these events as well. He walks the walk and he talks the talk."

The club, established in the 1980s, is based at Cheslyn Hay and Cannock Leisure Centre, also boasts a learn to swim programme.

"We have got around 300 members and the swimmers range from three to four-year-olds who are learning to swim up to elite swimmers," added Ryan.

"We are the smallest club in the league.But over the last couple of years we have re-organised and have won two promotions on the trot. We are on a bit of a roll."

n Anybody wishing to join the club, or learn to swim or gain teaching experience should contact Thomas on 07981 418035.