Personal Bests and Regional Success for Dereham Otters

Dereham Otters took a team of 28 swimmers to the Diss Open Meet on Sunday 18 October, returning home with an impressive haul of 36 medals: 18 gold, 13 silver and 5 bronze.

The squad delivered a series of strong performances, showcasing the swimmers’ improving skills, racing experience and determination in the pool. Despite being a relatively small team, the Otters made a significant impact throughout the competition, demonstrating excellent sportsmanship and team spirit.

Among the standout performers were Annabelle Bartlett and Charley Taylor, who both enjoyed a particularly successful meet. Annabelle achieved personal best times in all five of her races, highlighting the progress she continues to make and providing an excellent reward for her efforts in training.

Charley Taylor also had reason to celebrate after securing her first Winter Regional qualifying time. This important milestone marks a significant step in her swimming development and recognises the progress she has made in the sport.

Head coach Sam Watts praised the squad’s performances, highlighting the importance of personal progress, confidence and teamwork alongside the medal results. The meet provided valuable racing experience, with swimmers gaining confidence, working towards individual goals and supporting their teammates throughout the day.

The results represent an encouraging achievement for Dereham Otters, with the squad now looking to build on its success at future competitions.

The club also thanked the parents, team managers and volunteers whose support helped make the day a success.