WHAT A WEEK.
From the opening heats on Day 1 to literally the very last race of the meet on Day 7, D&G Swim Team had athletes competing every single day at the Aquatics GB Next Gen Championships 2026 at Ponds Forge, Sheffield. Here is a look back at everything that happened.
Day 1 — Silver for Talia
Medal
Talia Staines — Silver medal, Women's 19+ 1500m Freestyle
Talia opened the week in style, taking silver in the Women's 19+ 1500m Freestyle. Alice also competed in the 1500m, finishing 5th in the 17/18 years age group. A brilliant start to the week.
Day 2 — Four Athletes in Action
Events
Thomas Laws, Conan Swinney, Lewis Maxwell — Men's 400m Individual Medley
Alice Forrest — Women's 200m Freestyle
Day 2 saw our biggest squad turnout of the week, with Thomas, Conan and Lewis all lining up in the 400 IM heats alongside Alice in the 200 Freestyle.
A special mention for Thomas Laws, who was competing at the Next Gen Championships for the very first time. Thomas has worked incredibly hard to get here and his place on this start list is a testament to that dedication. We are very proud of you, Thomas.
Day 3 — Anna and Alice
Events
Anna Finlay — Women's 100m Breaststroke
Alice Forrest — Women's 200m Individual Medley
Day 4 — Relay Debut
Events
Talia Staines and Alice Forrest — Women's 400m Freestyle
Anna Finlay, Alice Forrest, Emily Maxwell, Talia Staines — Women's 4x100m Freestyle Relay
Day 4 brought a landmark moment — D&G's first relay team at these championships. Anna, Alice, Emily and Talia took on the Women's 4x100m Freestyle Relay together.
Day 5 — Gold for Ben, Finals and PBs
Medal
Ben Beale — Gold medal, 16 Years Male 100m Individual Medley (competing with City of Sunderland ASC)
Also on Day 5
Anna Finlay — 200m Breaststroke
Alice Forrest, Talia Staines, Rebecca and Emily — Girls 17&over 4x200m Freestyle Relay
Both Alice and Talia improved on their heat swims in the 400 Freestyle finals, with Talia picking up a personal best. Both finished 4th, just missing out on medals. A brilliant effort from both.
Day 6 — Bronze for Talia, Finals for Lewis and Alice
Medal
Talia Staines — Bronze medal, Women's 19+ 800m Freestyle — 12 second personal best
Also on Day 6
Conan Swinney and Lewis Maxwell — 200m Backstroke heats
Alice Forrest — 400m IM heats and 800m Freestyle (5th in 17/18 age group — 2nd fastest 17 year old in the UK)
Lewis Maxwell — Qualified for 200 Backstroke final
Alice Forrest — Qualified for 400 IM final
Day 7 — The Final Day
Events
Conan Swinney — 200m Individual Medley
Alice Forrest — 100m Butterfly and 50m Freestyle
Ben Beale — 200m IM Final (with City of Sunderland ASC)
Alice, Anna, Emily and Rebecca — Women's 17+ 4x100m Medley Relay Final — the very last race of the meet, 8:05pm, Lane 0
Behind the Scenes
Darren Maxwell (D&G Chair) and Graham Robinson (D&G Club Treasurer) volunteered all week as part of the Aquatics GB Field of Play team.
Tina Maxwell served as Team Manager throughout the championships.
A huge thank you to Darren, Graham and Tina and to coaches Woodley and Jay for giving up their week to make sure everything ran smoothly for our athletes.
What a week it has been. Every single athlete who stepped on that pool deck at Next Gen Champs 2026 should be incredibly proud — from Thomas competing at this level for the very first time, to Talia standing on the podium twice, and Ben taking gold. After a well-earned week off, the focus turns to the Swim England Summer Nationals. Watch this space.
Full Meet Results
View Results