From beginners to coach – it’s still a family affair
IN July 1868 Queen Victoria reigned on the throne, Benjamin Disraeli was serving his second stint as Prime Minister and a tiny advert was placed in the Rochdale Observer to launch one of the region’s oldest sporting clubs.
Today, Rochdale Swimming Club is still going strong and will celebrate its 150th birthday on July 19 after teaching thousands to swim.
It has had a number of swimming stars over the years including 1972 Olympic swimming captain Clive Rushton, who coached and swam at the club before leaving to set up Aquabears in the late 70s.
Edith Ford, who has been part of the club for almost 48 years and its president since 1997 said: “It’s been a bit of an up and down ride really.
“We won everything in Central Lancs and even used to take two teams for the Senior League, with the A and B forming a bit of a rivalry.
“We competed in Age Groups at Blackpool and the Bolton & District Mini League, plenty of County Champions but had to re-start from scratch after the Aquabears split.
“I thought we’d go on forever but it’s becoming harder, though we’ve had some good times recently and we’ve been bouncing back ever since.”
The club made its home at the old Smith Street baths with an annual subscription of ten shillings and originally consisted of middle class businessmen.
It aimed to promote and encourage the practice of swimming and to give those members of the club who could not swim the opportunity of learning from those members who could.
At one time it became known as Rochdale Dolphins before reverting back to its current name and on April 19, 1921 women were allowed to join.
In 1937 it moved to the Central Baths, in Entwisle Road, and remained there until just after London 2012 when the current leisure centre opened just a few metres down the road.
Its most famous champion was Christine Gaskell who won the 1974 Commonwealth 100m Breaststroke gold, in a games record time, then two months later won the English 220yard title.
In 1960 Joe Smith, who later swam the channel aged 60, represented Great Britain in an international 5km in Holland and finished fourth.
Two decades later Nigel Ali gained selection for the GB senior team, while last year current coach Matthew Lees went to Auckland and won gold at the World Masters Games – 43 years after Gaskell’s win also in New Zealand.
As well as a successful swimming team, the club also had an outstanding water polo team with a number of players being capped internationally.
Ray Powers became the first Rochdale player to gain a full GB cap in 1976 and went on to win 18 in total.
In 1998 the club had five women receiving international recognition: Emma Murgatroyd, Emma Potter, Michelle Ashcroft, and Jennifer and Melanie Fairhurst.
Water polo ended due to financial pressures but had one last hurrah when its mini youth polo team were crowned national champions in 2002.
The club was a driving force in establishing the Central Lancashire Swimming and Water Polo Association, providing it with five presidents over the years, and still competes in its leagues today.
Two years ago it won promotion as champions to Division One of the Junior League for the first time since the competition went two-tiered.
While still trying to compete in galas, the club has remained true to the original aims set out in the first committee meeting.
“We bring the kids through from swimmer to teacher to maybe even coach. Both myself and Matthew are testament to that,” said Sam Chadwick, assistant coach.
“It’s not always about winning, we’re a family club.”
Rochdale currently has around 180 members and has sessions running at Entwisle Road for children aged between four and 18, as well as Sunday classes at Heywood between 4pm and 6pm.
There will be a party on July 14 to celebrate at Rochdale Golf Club followed by an inflatable session for the children at the leisure centre the next day.
Former members are invited to the party and can purchase tickets, costing £5, by ringing Mrs Ford on 372246 or by emailing rochdaleswimmingclub@ outlook.com.