The North West’s finest Masters swimmers made a huge splash at the 2025 Swim England Masters Championships, held last weekend (24-26th October 2025) at Sheffield’s world-renowned Ponds Forge International Sports Centre. The three-day event drew top competitors from across the country aged 18 and above — and it was clear from the start that the North West contingent came to make history.
Trafford Metro Continue to Dominate
Reigning champions Trafford Metro Swimming Club, who had already claimed the coveted Otter 150 Cup Trophy for three consecutive years, were determined to secure a historic fourth win — and they did so in spectacular fashion.
Day 1 opened with a record-breaking performance from Daniel Mills, who stunned the crowd in the 30–34yrs 1500m Freestyle. His blistering time of 15:58.91 set new British and European records, making him the first British swimmer in his age group to break the 16-minute barrier.
Ben Harkin, from Warrington Masters took gold in a sensational 200m Breaststroke swim, clinching a new British Record for the 40-45yrs age group (2:20.05) – finishing almost 10 seconds ahead of his next competitor.
Teammate Helen Sadler followed suit in the 55–59yrs 100m Freestyle, powering to a British Record with a time of 1:01.90. Meanwhile, Judith Pearson of Carlisle Aquatics added to the North West’s success, setting both British and European Records in the 65–69yrs 400m Individual Medley with 6:15.26.
The Trafford Metro women then raised the bar even higher, storming to victory in the 160+ 4x100m Medley Relay, shattering the British, European, and World Records with a stunning 4:28.29.
Day 2: Casson Leads the Charge
Day 2 belonged to Sophie Casson, a familiar face from Carnforth Otters, now also swimming for Peel Swimming Club and Isle of Man Swimming Club. Casson opened her campaign in spectacular style, setting British and European Records in the 40–44yrs 200m Freestyle with 2:05.36.
Trafford Metro continued their winning momentum, with the Men’s 120+ 4x50m Medley Relay Team setting a new British and European Record (1:42.02). Warrington Masters followed closely behind in the 240+ age group, also setting a new British Record with 2:02.72.
Not to be outdone, the Trafford Metro Ladies produced another electric swim in the 4x50m Medley Relay, breaking the British Record in 1:59.20. Later, their 100+ 4x100m Freestyle Relay Team went even further, clinching victory in 3:54.30 — a time that not only set British, European, and World Records, but finished a staggering 24 seconds ahead of their nearest rivals.
Casson returned later in the day to rewrite history once again. In the 40–44yrs 400m Freestyle, she shattered her own British Record, lowering it by two seconds to 4:18.86 — a time that also established new European and World Records, overtaking a mark that had stood since 2002. The performance marked her 11th World Record of her Masters swimming career at this competition alone.
Meanwhile, Daniel Mills added another highlight to Trafford Metro’s haul, setting a new British Record of 3:58.01 in the 30–34yrs 400m Freestyle.
Final Day: Records Fall to the End
The final day proved just as thrilling, with more records tumbling from start to finish. Trafford Metro began strongly in the Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay, capturing the title in 4:03.27 — a new British and European Record.
Helen Sadler returned to the pool for the 50m Freestyle, taking victory in 27.23, a time that obliterated the existing British, European, and World Records by a commanding margin.
Ben Harkin, having won both the 200m & 50m distances, continued his domination in the Breaststroke events for Warrington Masters, producing another British Record swim of 1:03.48 in the 45–49yrs 100m Breaststroke.
The championships concluded in fitting fashion with the 800m Freestyle, where North West swimmers once again dominated. Daniel Mills capped off his phenomenal meet with a British Record of 8:18.73, finishing nearly 50 seconds clear of his nearest challenger. Whilst Sophie Casson ended her successful weekend on yet another high, adding to her growing legacy with a British and European Record time of 8:54.79 — over a minute ahead of the next competitor.
A Fourth Consecutive Trophy for Trafford Metro
When the final points were tallied, it was confirmed: Trafford Metro had successfully defended their title, winning the prestigious Otter 150 Cup Trophy for an unprecedented fourth consecutive year. The award, presented to the club accumulating the most points across individual and relay events, cements Trafford Metro’s place among the country’s elite Masters teams.
“These guys just get better and better every year. They are the most amazing group of swimmers you could possibly have. They exceed all expectations.”
He also highlighted the club’s spirit and camaraderie as the key to their success:
“We are a club that train together under one roof, we socialise and compete together as a team.”
With sights already set on next year’s championships, Bolton’s message was clear:
“We are not there to participate – we come to win.”
An Inspirational Weekend for North West Masters Swimming
The 2025 Swim England Masters Championships will be remembered as one of the most successful yet for North West athletes, with multiple British, European, and World Records smashed across all age groups and disciplines.
Congratulations to all swimmers and clubs who represented the region with pride — and especially to Trafford Metro, Carnforth Otters, Carlisle Aquatics, and Warrington Masters for an unforgettable weekend of record-breaking performances.
Full results from the 2025 Swim England Masters Championships can be found [here].
If you are interested in participating in Masters Swimming, you can search for your nearest North West club via our ‘Find A Club’ tool – [here].
