Swimming twins make a splash in school Championships

TALENTED TWINS are making a splash in the pool after racing to success at the English Primary School’s Team Relay Championships.

Meadow and Kirsten Dronsfield, 11, were part of a five-strong team selected to represent Oldham Hulme Grammar Primary Schools at the event in June.

The mixed team had scooped silver medals at the qualifying event at Everton Park Sports Centre, Liverpool, to secure their place in the finals at Ponds Forge, Sheffield.

And they followed up with more success as the twins helped the team to fifth in the mixed stroke event while the freestyle team came first in the ‘B’ final.

The rest of the team comprised Emelie Byrom, Lucas Jackson and Lottie Kershaw and they all received medals to add to their growing collection.

It seems the pair could follow in the footsteps of their dad Steve, who helps run family business Dronsfields Independent Mercedes Specialists.

He clinched a silver medal with the 4×100m freestyle relay team at the 1990 Commonwealth Games.

Proud Steve said: “This was the girls’ biggest event so far. There was a really good atmosphere there and it was great for them to swim with their friends.

“We just want them to enjoy it and do their best and see how it goes in time.

Next, the twins, who start at Oldham Hulme Grammar School in September, will be competing in county galas followed by regional competitions next year.

They will be representing Manchester, who they joined at the Aquatics Centre in May, after swimming for the Aqua Bears in Middleton since the age of seven.

And to make sure they are at the top of their sport, they have a rigorous training programme of two hours every night and 90 minutes one morning a week.

Mum Jane, who watches all their competitions, explained: “We didn’t know if the girls would have a talent like their dad.

“They just started with water safety lessons and then swimming. But their teachers at Aqua Bears said they had talent and it’s just gone from there.

“There’s a lot of training but we try to get the balance right and make sure their education doesn’t suffer – but they do so well.”