Our very own Braintree boy Charles Rennie, age 16, made us very proud at the Swim England Nationals this summer.

Charles who trains with Braintree & Bocking Swimming Club (BBSC) qualified for the National 50m breastroke event this summer with an amazing time of 32.41. 
An interview with Charles just showed how he couldn’t believe he had made the list!

 “The whole experience of Nationals was a surreal, but brilliant experience. I had always hoped that one day I would achieve a national qualification but it always seemed to be just out of reach. I was shocked and ecstatic when I knew I'd managed to get in. The email arrived at the end of half term and I couldn’t believe that I had made it at last”

The big day came along which was held in Sheffield on the 5th August 2017 and Charles was ready to go, Charles said:

“We arrived in Sheffield the day before my race. Met with Erica and walked through the city to join the afternoon warm down session. I was able to find my way around and get used to the pool. 
On the day itself, it was terrific, the atmosphere was absolutely incredible and walking poolside was far less nervy than I thought. I felt confident and prepared to give the race my absolute best”
Charles then went and DID swim his absolute best by hitting  a new time of 32.23 just missing out on the finals by 0.01 of a second, but that didn’t bother Charles, the whole experience left him ecstatic!
“After the swim I was so glad I'd PB'ed!! I walked back up to Erica with a beaming smile and it hardly stopped until we were home! Despite missing out on the final by 0.01 it was an absolutely terrific experience and I can't wait to get there again next year!”

With so many swimmers from BBSC glued to the live streaming on the day, he had more support than he actually knew, but I am sure the Braintree Neighbourhood heard the support from his fellow swimmers screaming ‘GO Charles’ at their computers at home!  It was an exciting day for all at the club.
Head coach Erica Johnson says:

“Charles is a role model for other swimmers in the club, with many of them looking up to him, he has shown them all that hard work and perseverance has paid off and if you work hard enough, it’s all possible”

Charles is a big part of the Braintree club who not only trains and competes with the club but he also coaches the younger swimmers. 
Erica says “Charles is a great kid to coach and we are very proud of him, I cannot wait to see what the future holds for him in the swimming world”

News report also published in the Braintree & Witham Times 21st September 2017

Calum Digby - for enjoying and thriving in the pool

Ellie Cakebread - for her continued improvement and positive outlook

Jake Bunting- has worked hard to improve in his lane and it's now starting to pay off

Well done to all swimmers, keep working hard.
Erica and the coaching team

Congratulations to the following swimmers who have been chosen and awarded THE MOST IMPROVED SWIMMER by Head Coach Erica Johnson:

Izzy Raven, Rohan Gibson, Nat Coburn and Jack Raven