Recent disappointments in the National Swimming League was just "water under the bridge" when Ludlow swimmers took the trophy at the inaugural meet of the Christmas Trophy Gala held at Wombourne on the 5th December 2009.
Head Coach Ray Budd explains: "The club has faced some real challenges this season; we have a number of gaps in our age structure meaning swimmers frequently have to compete in team events with others who are one or maybe two years older. This gala was no exception with only three thirteen-year-old girls and one fifteen-year-old and no open male or female swimmers available. The swimmers put up a tremendous fight. We asked a lot of our athletes and they gave everything, we had 11 and 13 year olds swimming up two age groups and some participating in over ten relays during the course of the meet. It is hard and perhaps a little unfair to pick out some athletes for praise when everyone gave so much, but special thanks should go to
Abbie Pritchard, Becky Cullen, Chloe Bayliss and Sabrina Millman upon whom we relied on more than any others to fill up the team. This was a well deserved win and the coaches are very proud of the team".
The photo shows most of the team that took part. The trophy is between 9-year-old Ewan Dalziel and 10-year-old Latasha Lewis, the two youngest team members who received the trophy on behalf of the club.