THE head coach of Carnegie Swimming Club has described 10 of their number being selected for national squads as "a great high".

Susan Taylor was delighted that so many of the club's members had been recognised by Scottish Swimming as they get set for a return to training this month.

Each year, the sport's governing body work with around 700 swimmers in their performance squads at junior and senior age groups, including those identified as having either won, or are likely to win, medals at competitions such as the Commonwealth Games as part of the national, senior gold squad.

Last week, Press Sport reported that Jacqueline McMillan, 16; Matthew McMillan, 14; and Lucy Atherton, 13, had all been selected in the national youth development squad, while Thanrada McGregor, 15, and Hebe Weavers, 15, had been chosen for the senior bronze squad.

In addition, Erica Watt, 14; Zara Innes, 13; Katie Pake, 12; Ollie Weavers, 13; and Matthew Paton, 12, will all be involved in the national district regional programme, which underpins the national initiative and aids the development and education of swimmers aged between 11-14.

Susan, who was appointed as Carnegie's new head coach earlier this year, commented: "It is great that we have so many swimmers in the Scottish national squads.

"We actually have 10 swimmers who have made the squad this year, which is a great high for the club at the end of the season."

News of their swimmers' success was followed by the announcement from the Scottish Government that swimming pools have been allowed to re-open as of Monday of next week.

Fife Sports and Leisure Trust, which operates Carnegie Leisure Centre, where the swimming club train, confirmed that their venues would begin to open on a phased basis from Monday.

The Carnegie, along with Kirkcaldy Leisure Centre and the Michael Woods Sports and Leisure Centre in Glenrothes, will be the first of the trust's premises to return to operations, and has left the club looking forward in anticipation.

"It is really great that the Government have confirmed the times when clubs can get back to the pool," Susan added.

"Fife Sport and Leisure Trust have a confirmed date of 14th September for opening and for swimming clubs to return. I along with everyone at Carnegie Swimming Club cannot wait to get back to the pool and training."